Who Do You Think You Are?: Stories of Friends and Enemies

by Hazel Rochman, Darlene Z. McCampbell

In this thought-provoking and critically acclaimed short story collection, fifteen diverse and distinguished writers explore the complexity and joy of friendship: Ray Bradbury, Tobias Wolff, Joyce Carol Oates, Richard Peck, Judith Ortiz-Cofer, Gish Jen, Toni Cade Bambara, Sandra Cisneros, Martha Brooks, Carson McCullers, John Updike, Louise Erdrich, Isabel Huggan, Tim O'Brian, and Maya Angelou.

Genres: Short Stories, Young Adult, Fiction, Anthologies, School

176 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1997

About the author

Hazel Rochman was born and raised in South Africa, where she worked as a journalist. She left Johannesburg for England in 1963, and the following year, the South African authorities withdrew the passports of her and her husband. She taught high school in London, and in 1972 she and her husband moved to Chicago. A graduate of the University of Chicago, she worked for eight years as a junior high school librarian and high school librarian at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools. She is now an assistant editor at ALA Booklist.

Reviews

[beckfilm]

some really good short stories in this collection, but just to clarify, these are all contemparary, no classics here (for classic short stories: 50 Great Short Stories). These stories all have something to do with friends and enemies, and are by different authors who are not as well known - but they are still good. These are all non-genre, "slice-of-life" kind of stories

4 out of 5 stars

[Photina]

Photina Haumschilt
Genre: Short Stories

This collection of short stories covers different topics that relate to teenagers. Topics about death, friendships, love, hate, and more are covered in this collection. The stories are written in a way that the reader can relate and understand each one by itself and also appreciate it as a whole collection. One of the stories that stuck out is called Priscilla and the Wimps by Richard Peck. It's a story about bullying in schools. Most young adults can relate to being picked on, bullied, or feeling scared while in school. This short story shows that even bullying has a price and can't go on forever. This is just one example of the stories that are in this collection. Young adults can read this collection of short stories and connect to at least one of the stories that has been selected.

Rochman and McCampbell did an excellent job selecting short stories from different perspectives, subject areas, and genres. I do not usually read short stories but I couldn't stop reading this collection. The stories are easy to relate too yet have a deeper, subtle meaning that connects with the reader. Those who like Who Do You Think You Are? may also enjoy the full book that some of the short stories were selected from, such as This Boy's Life by Tobias Wolff or The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien.

[Abigail Danfora]

I thought this book was great! I didn't like the story "My Lucy Friend who Smells Like Corn" because the narration was irksome and tiring, but I thought all of the other stories in "Who do you Think you Are?" were great! I like the way there were a lot of different genres included in it. "Where are you Going, Where Have you Been" would fit more into the horror genre, while "What Means Switch" is a romance story and "Good Grief" is sort of a coming of age story. Great selections, great book!

[Michael]

Reading Challenge 2017: book with multiple authors. I read this book as it is used in the freshmen English curriculum, which I will be teaching next year. It had short stories from some authors I have read before and others I had never had the chance to read. The stories will be enjoyed by freshmen as there is plenty to connect to. I like the diversity of the authors as well as the messages they provide. I cannot wait to teach these next year.

[Bryn]

I read this as a child and was fixated on it - rereading it as an adult, I cannot fathom why. The only two stories I vaguely recollect were "Where are you going, Where have you been?" which left me feeling haunted and uneasy, and "Priscilla and the Wimps", whose childhood vindication dulls through the eyes of an adult.

[Alexander]

Honestly, this book was pretty good. It's a collection of short, contemporary stories that cover topics about children's youth. I'm not sure if they're as relevant in this day and age, but they are certainly thought provoking as the description says.

So overall, I enjoyed it. Some stories are compelling and some are boring.

[Katy Lovejoy]

Not what I thought it would be

[grace nowland]

such good short stories

[Megan N]

I really like this book, it teaches the meaning of friendship, and how different people find friendships in different places. Like in one short story in the book, the boy is best friends with his dog, in another a girl is best friends with her brother, and in others they have best friends that have no real connection to them.

[tony]

This book is so good it has so many differenet stories in it, it gets interesting more and more

[Colleen]

some stories were ok but just when i was getting into them they cut off and ended.