Note: Scan down for Shattered, Soul Searching, and First Crossing
Unexpected: Eleven Mysterious Stories
Middle Grade Anthology
Edited by Laura E. Williams
"Sleuth 2500"
As Kit moves into the new
house in Wichita, a girl shows
up in his room. He cannot figure out how she got there without being
seen. The girl, Blasey, wants Kit to help solve a murder mystery that
happened thirty years ago--in his room.
As Blasey slowly uncovers clues about the crime, Kit uncovers clues about her. And what he finds out about Blasey makes the murder mystery pale in comparison.
Contributing authors:
Dian Curtis Regan, Bruce Coville, Jane Yolen, Graham Salisbury, Marion Dane Bauer, Gail Carson Levine, Will Weaver, Peter Lerangis, Norma Fox Mazer, Margaret Peterson Haddix, and Laura E. Williams
"The collection as a whole is engaging and readable." ~ School Library Journal
Scholastic ISBN: 0-439-45585-5 To order, click here
First Crossing: Stories about Teen Immigrants
"Second Culture Kids"
Dian’s story is based on the December, 2002, national strike in Venezuela when U.S.companies whisked expats out of the country. Amina is Venezuelan, but her father is American, so she is yanked out of her world and must experience life as a teen in the U.S. for the first time.
Contributing Authors:
Dian Curtis Regan, Pam Munoz Ryan, Jean Davies Okimoto, Lensey Namioka, David Lubar, Elsa Marston, Alden R. Carter, Marie G. Lee, Rita Williams-Garcia, Minfong Ho
Junior Library Guild Selection ALA Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People
IRA Teachers' Choice Book "Offers up a complex array of custom and attitudinal adjustments that crossing cultures entails while maintaining an authentic teen vision. The short story format and multinational focus make this a boon for second-culture classrooms; the frank and edgy honesty makes for a timely read for others directly familiar with such experiences." ~ Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"These selections will provide teachers with a wealth of material to use in multicultural literature units." ~ School Library Journal
"First Crossing is an invaluable resource for the contemporary middle school and high school classroom. The stories explore the challenges and possibilities faced by young people as their first cultures collide with the dominant American culture, and it offers a clear sense of empathy and shared humanity. This collection offers realistic situations and characters, and should help contemporary adolescents better understand complex cultural dynamics." ~ Alan Review
"This book will easily make its way into ESL classes and will provide a bridge for American youth trying to understand students from other countries." ~ Voya
"After reading this book, teens will never look at immigrants the same way. Social studies, history and language arts classes could use this particular book as a vehicle for writing assignments and learning more about innocent people caught in political uprisings and wars." ~Children's Literature
Candlewick Press Young Adult Anthology Edited by Don Gallo ISBN:0-7636-2249-4
What a Song Can Do: 12 Riffs on the Power of Music
"Tangled Notes in Watermelon"
Cory, has inherited something unusual from her grandmother: she sees colors and shapes when she listens to music. Now that Gran is gone, who can she talk to about it? Who will listen without thinking she is crazy?
Contributing authors:
Dian Curtis Regan, Joseph Bruchac, J. Alison James, Gail Giles, Ron Koertge, Ibtisam Barakat, Jude Mandel, Alexandra Siy, David Levithan, Ann Manheimer, Sarah Ellis, Jennifer Armstrong.
"This collection will certainly speak to many teens on a very personal level and will open the eyes and the ears of its readers." ~School Library Journal
"A 'bright note': Dian Curtis Regan's story illuminates synesthesia--hearing music in colors, two senses colliding." ~ Kirkus
Knopf/Random House Young Adult Anthology Edited by Jennifer Armstrong ISBN: 0-375-82499-5
Girlfriend, Aunt Flo, Dona Rosa, The Curse, Monthlies.... A collection of frank, poignant, humorous stories that explore the anxiety of "becoming a woman."
"Living on Chocolate"
Annie, a hearing-impaired foster child tries to remain invisible to keep her place in a large, new family. What a horrible time for her body to start doing strange things.
Contributing Authors: Dian Curtis Regan, April Halprin Wayland, Bobbi Katz, Carmen T. Bernier-Grand, Cynthia Leitich Smith, Erzsi Deak, Jane Kurtz, Johanna Hurwitz, Kristin Embry Litchman, Linda Sue Park, Rita Williams
"Aptly titled. Few, if any, fiction collections mark this rite of passage. An honest, touching, sometimes hilarious collection." ~ School Library Journal
"Whether or not they have experienced the arrival of their first "George," "Auntie," or "Dona Rosa," girls will enjoy these stories--funny and self-deprecating, frank and reassuring--which may encourage them to shed embarrassment and take ownership of their bodies." ~ Booklist
This is a must for young ladies on the brink." ~ Children's Place Bookstore
"For parents who feel awkward talking about that moment when a girl becomes a woman, these stories might provide a starting point. Each story has a kernel of truth to which some girl, somewhere, will respond." ~ Children's Literature Comprehensive Database
"This accessible, browsable collection carries a tone that is both funny and sincere. An enjoyable supplement to nonfiction titles as it more readily addresses emotional and social issues. It will be an attractive offering to those asking for books on the subject." ~ Voya
"What surprises in this gathering is the overwhelming sense of embarrassment and ignorance about the arrival of monthly menses. These stories illuminate the feelings of that first time in a very straightforward way. Don't let the subtitle fool you--boys intrigued by the workings of the female mind and body will be intrigued, too." ~Kirkus
HarperCollins Edited by Erzsi Deak and Kristin Litchman ISBN: 0-06-6237963
Soul Searching: Thirteen Stories about Faith and Belief
"We must fight the tendency to reduce the world's cultures to sound bites, and remember that all religions in all countries are composed of real people. This young adult anthology illuminates the world's major religions and beliefs.
"The Evil Eye"
Ben, a high schooler whose family is transferred to Venezuela, gets caught up in a dangerous cult in the mountains of Los Altos de Sucre with Ludy, a mysterious girl who leads him into danger.
Contributing authors: Dian Curtis Regan, Jennifer Armstrong, Shonto Begay, Nancy Flynn, Dianne Hess, Minfong Ho, Uma Krishnaswami, David Lubar, Elsa Marston, Linda Oatman High, John Slayton, William Sleator, and Lisa Rowe Fraustino
A Junior Library Guild Selection
"Kids with a spiritual bent will find things here to ponder." ~ School Library Journal
"Shows the universal need to feel connected to family, friends, and humanity. Readers will find humor, pain, joy, and wonder in these honest, powerful stories--and hopefully tolerance, compassion, and their own questions about the world around them." ~ *Kirkus, starred review
Simon & Schuster Eited by Lisa Rowe Fraustino ISBN: 0-689-83484-5
"You have a normal life and suddenly people you don’t know are trying to kill you." A dozen stories in this anthololgy, show how war affects young people in countries all over the world.
Contributing authors:
Dian Curtis Regan, Ibtisam Barakat, Joseph Bruchac, Lisa Rowe Fraustino, M.E. Kerr, David Lubar, Lois Metzger, Gloria D. Miklowitz, Graham Salisbury, Marilyn Singer, Suzanne Fisher Staples, Jennifer Armstrong
A Junior Library Guild Selection YALSA Best Books for Young Adults NCSS/CBC Notable Book for Social Studies Korean Edition
"Subtle and wrenching. Particularly poignant in light of the events of 9/11. An outstanding collection important at any time." ~ Kirkus
"These selections will make teens cry, make them angry, but most of all, will make them think. A well-rounded collection." ~ School Library Journal "A diverse and varied collection." ~ Publishers Weekly
"A must read." ~ The Denver Post
Knopf/Random House Edited by Jennifer Armstrong ISBN: 0-375-81112-5
There are secrets in every family. Some stay hidden for years and some bring peace only when exposed. This Young Adult Anthology offers 11 original stories that explore the many facets of family secrets--some haunting, some funny, and some unexpected. Each offers insight into the most "ordinary" of families--and their hidden secrets.
Contributing Authors: Dian Curtis Regan, Chris Crutcher, M.E. Kerr, Bruce Coville, Rita Williams Garcia, Richard Peck, Graham Salisbury, Lisa Rowe Fraustino, Susan Campbell, Bartoletti, Anna Grossnickle Hines, and Laurie Halse Anderson
ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers Best Book for the Teen Age, New York Public Library
"The stories touch on current issues, bravely and boldly providing fodder for discussion. Young Adults will appreciate the array of candor found between the covers of this book." ~ *School Library Journal Starred Review
"Presents 11 fresh, diverse pieces in a fierce collection of salacious family stories. The theme is sure to appeal to a wide audience. These stories run from merely amusing to devastating." ~ Kirkus
"Offering both escapism and insight into the long-range effects of deception, these stories will satisfy a wide range of tastes." ~ Publishers Weekly
"Amusing, surprising, but most of all thought-provoking, these stories can serve as a springboard for class discussion as easily as they provide diversion on a lazy afternoon." Voya
A portion of the royalties will be donated to the National Coalition Against Censorship.
Viking Edited by Lisa Rowe Fraustino ISBN# 0-670-87911-8
Tim Saluka and his twin sister, Kelly, spend a life-changing New Year's Eve skiing in Telluride, Colorado, with their dad. Tim is coming up with lots of resolutions to try out on January first.
What better time for an attitude adjustment about life, family, and the opposite sex?"
Contributing authors: Dian Curtis Regan, Cameron Dokey, Marie G. Lee, and Anne LeMieux
