My True Love Gave to Me

What happens when you select a dozen of the greatest YA writers, ask each of them to compose a holiday short story, and turn their results over to 12 talented narrators? Lots of YA listening pleasure! Dustin Rubin energetically recounts David Levithan's comedic tale of a young, gay Jewish teen whose lover asks him to pose as Santa Claus to fool his kid sister. Julia Whelan embraces Holly Black's wit and intensity in a fantasy view of the little known December holiday in "Krampulslauf." Abby Craden's sarcastic tones speak up for Gayle Forman's jaded Jewish scholarship student, who gets a wider view of stereotyping in "What the Hell Have You Done, Sophie Roth?" This holiday anthology celebrates myriad themes, diverse tones, and a host of engaging characters and intriguing settings. S.W. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine