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32nd out of 59 books
—
96 voters
Kissing Tennessee: and Other Stories from the Stardust Dance
by
Kathi Appelt (Goodreads Author)
Mason and Carrie Marie can't get up the courage to ask each other to dance. Russ's girlfriend has died, and now he's just trying to live without her. Peggy Lee has grown up with Tennessee--how can she ever think of him as more than a friend?
In these moving tales and others, Kathi Appelt captures the sometimes amusing, sometimes touching missteps of some unforgettable stude...more
In these moving tales and others, Kathi Appelt captures the sometimes amusing, sometimes touching missteps of some unforgettable stude...more
Paperback, 132 pages
Published
April 1st 2004
by Graphia
(first published 2000)
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I was completely charmed by this book. I picked it up to prepare for my upcoming stint at VCFA, where Appelt is a faculty member in the Writing for Children and Young Adults MFA program. It was close to my bedtime, and I meant to read only fifty pages before quitting, but then I told myself, "One more story..." and then I told myself, "Why not just finish the book?"
So yes. I read it in one sitting. It is definitely a one sitting-able book to read, as it is just over 100 pages.
I've been out of m...more
So yes. I read it in one sitting. It is definitely a one sitting-able book to read, as it is just over 100 pages.
I've been out of m...more
![Shirley :]](http://d.gr-assets.com/users/1301379384p2/3879530.jpg)
The book Kissing Tennessee is filled of short stories that mainly catch the idea of how in your teen years everything is always changing. The stories are different and talk about how as a teen we face our different problems and ask ourselves questions. Whether it be if life, love or friends. In one of the stories I learned that most of the time as a teen you tend to exaggerate your situation and not think about others and their struggles. Not knowing that others may have it way worst than you....more
The first page issues the invite, but it is Appelt's evocative poem "Invitation" that sets the stage and brings the reader right back to his or her first dance. Through the characters, we relive the whole melodrama: the anticipation of kisses-not-given, the ecstasy of being asked to dance (and the anguish of asking), the magic that makes you see your best friend in a whole new light, crushes of one kind or another, and the disagreements with parents over what to wear from shoes to ribbons and li...more
This collection of short stories, centered around an 8th grade graduation dance, packs a powerful punch. The title, Kissing Tennessee, comes from one of the "easier" stories in this collection. While a handful of the stories do center on inexplicable crushes and wanting to dance with "the one," other issues that Appelt takes up are of a much "heavier" nature: family abuse,death of a first girlfriend, questioning of sexual orientation, rape, divorce and poverty.
As my 8th grade students are in the...more
As my 8th grade students are in the...more
Tawny, a young girl wants to feel special at eh Stardust dance. She has her high spirits and her pair of red rhinestone shoes. Mary Sarah who always went by the same routine now tries to look nice for the dance by tying a colored ribbon in her hair. If that wasn't exciting enough (sarcasm but still it's exciting to her) She also wears Lipstick. Peggy Lee is in an entranced state think about her child hood friend Tennessee and the kisses (as in the title). The Stardust Dance at Dogwood Junior Hig...more
It’s Friday May 31st. Between 8pm and 11pm the Dogwood Junior High cafeteria will be transformed with cardboard stars and sparkling moons hanging from wire, and the Rot Whilers belt out tunes for the eighth graders. This is the Stardust Dance – a night when boys can be daring, one lucky girl will be crowned Stardust Queen and magic might just happen. . .
First published in 2000, ‘Kissing Tennessee: and Other Stories from the Stardust Dance’ is a collection of young adult short stories by Kathi A...more
First published in 2000, ‘Kissing Tennessee: and Other Stories from the Stardust Dance’ is a collection of young adult short stories by Kathi A...more
I really loved this book. Especially the ending. As someone who considers their middle school and high school experience a very fun and exciting time in my life, I felt extremely nostalgic after completing this book. I thought the deeply personal stories were moving and were very indicative of growing up and coming of age.
At times the stories got a bit slow but was no major detriment for me. I did very much enjoy this read
At times the stories got a bit slow but was no major detriment for me. I did very much enjoy this read
Appelt uses voice to create eight distinct chapters, eight different personalities, each told from his/her point of view. She uses one setting and gets into the head of each of the characters. The perspectives are shown through individual thoughts, dialogue and his/her actions. She ties them altogether at the end by including their presence in the last scene to create one cohesive story.
Oh goodness I'm glad I'm not 14. Yes, even the 'lightest' stories here are melodramatic, but that's exactly authentic for early teens. Beautifully written snapshots - too fleeting for me, as I'm such an experienced reader, but for most of its audience it would be plenty deep and rich enough.
A lovely group of stories. I liked knowing about all the different people at the dance, and what was going on with them. However, they all left you wondering: What happened with Becca? Did Carrie Marie and Mason get together? Who was the Stardust King and Queen?
This book got great reviews...I hated it! The premise was good...each chapter told of a different story taking place at an 8th grade dance. But I didn't like any of the stories. Maybe it's just me. Boo!
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Jun 25, 2007
Sommer Ann
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
If you like small town fiction, many stories all in one, or high school dances
Shelves:
enlightening-poetry,
all-time-favs
One of the best books of all time! I do believe I've read this book quite a few times, and it always gets better! This novel is a collection of different people all on the same night, The Stardust Dance. You see many different persepctives and hear various stories from a girl who ran away from her strict Christian parents, to a boy questioning his sexuality, and a girl who's always had a crush on the same boy since grade school. It is endearing and touching, hearing so many naive and beautiful s...more
5 sweet chocolate chip cookies.
Cover Love: It's alright. The color is what caught my eye. That and the author's name.
Why I Wanted to Read This:
I was doing inventory in my library and started with the short story books. When I saw this one was written by Kathi Appelt I immediately started reading. She is amazing.
Read the rest of my review here on my blog.
Cover Love: It's alright. The color is what caught my eye. That and the author's name.
Why I Wanted to Read This:
I was doing inventory in my library and started with the short story books. When I saw this one was written by Kathi Appelt I immediately started reading. She is amazing.
Read the rest of my review here on my blog.
Various stories of middle school and tales of one night. Not everyone has a happy ending, but everyone learns more about themselves...
Sweet short stories with lots of emotional impact. Note some very mild content may not be suitable for all readers.
Giving this little book 5 stars because for the last several days of class my 8th graders have been absolutely enraptured by these stories.
One of my most favorite (!!!!!!!!) books of all time!!!
this book was ok! not the best but not the worst!!!
This was a sweet book, and a fast read.
Couldn't put it down!
Collection of short stories centered around an eighth grade dance and the students who will be in attendance. Each story is different and is told by someone from a different background: two sisters with an over-protective father, a girl who was raped at the dance, a boy who realizes he may be homosexual, and more. Short reads but interesting material. Many teens could relate to the stories.
I was expecting light, fluffy stories from the description of this book--basically a collection of short stories. Some of the stories, though, deal with VERY serious issues. I'm still thinking about some of the characters, several weeks later. Appelt uses beautiful language.
Several short stories all told from teens who are at a high school dance. Each story is distinct, but references may be made to characters in other stories. Stories are emotional and at times tragic. Extremely appealing and engaging.
It consist of several teen short-stories (and problems they face) that lead to one celebration "The Stardust Dance". The stories vary from sad to bubbly-happy one--but all of them wrapped in such inspiring way.
Short, inter-connected stories about a junior high dance. This book makes me nostalgic for junior high, and anyone who knows me knows that's quite a feat.
This book is just a lot of point of views at a eight grade dance. I don't think many people will like it, I didn't really like it that much.
Loved all these tender stories.
Review coming soon
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What's The Name o...: Anthology about a school dance [s] | 6 | 17 | Mar 15, 2013 02:22pm |
Lives in College Station, TX with husband Ken and four adorable cats.
Two sons, both musicians.
Serves on the faculty at Vermont College of Fine Arts in the MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults Program.
More about Kathi Appelt...
Two sons, both musicians.
Serves on the faculty at Vermont College of Fine Arts in the MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults Program.
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“Tennessee. Now there's a name for you. His mama named him that on account of their last name being so regular. 'With a plain vanilla name like Jones, you gotta have a first name that's special,' she'd said.”
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