Cornered

June 15, 2012
This bully-themed anthology stands out in both the breadth of its scope and its tolerance for moral ambiguity. A distinguished and ethnically diverse set of authors contribute to this volume, which focuses not only on teens who are targets of bullying, but also those who perpetrate it--and many, realistically, do both. Bullying takes many forms, including a teacher ridiculing students, a viral racist email and hazing on a soccer team. The contributors largely delve into bullies' behavior without resting on cliche David Yoo's unnamed protagonist targets another teen in part because he himself has been bullied, but readers also see the specific incidents and pressures that make his actions, though unforgiveable, more understandable. Most contributors also wisely observe that family dynamics can have as much impact as those at school: James Lecesne's suicidal teen protagonist is called "lezzie" by a classmate, but her mother also snips at her, "Would it kill you to wear a skirt every once in a while?" Overall, however, the book's handling of homophobic bullying is mixed; it is believable that Elizabeth Miles' straight narrator is humiliated by malicious rumors that she is a lesbian, but one wishes the story indicated that being LGBTQ need not be shameful. For the most part, a diverse, robust collection that looks unflinchingly at cruelty. (Anthology. 12 & up)

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November 1, 2012
Gr 9 Up-Fifteen authors write about teen bullying and empowerment. Media specialists and librarians may need to hand sell this worthy collection since the word "bullying" in the title might repel teens with its connotations of after-school specials and adult lectures. However, they will not regret taking the chance on these stories that range from the supernatural to racial self-loathing. The collection opens with Kirsten Miller's "Nemesis," in which a superhero student from New York City apprehends villains at the anonymous request of bullied teens. Josh Berk's "The Shift Sticks" concerns a bullied female rock singer, and Elizabeth Miles's "Defense Mechanisms" is about a high school junior discovering her true identity. Mystery and horror fans will be interested in the creepy "Inside the Inside," with its decidedly Margo Lanagan-type world. Readers will cheer with Michael in Brendan Halpin's "How Auto-Tune Saved My Life," cry with Chloe in Jennifer Brown's "But Not Forgotten," and recoil with repulsion and sadness in David Yoo's "Everyone's Nice." Unlike other collections in which story quality can vary widely, the readability and interest level are consistent, making this collection a solid recommendation to teens and a definite gateway title to promoting the short-story genre."Lynn Rashid, Marriotts Ridge High School, Marriottsville, MD"

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2012
Grades 8-11 Everyone has been a victim and everyone has been an oppressor, writes editor Belleza in this thought-provoking, multicultural collection. Featuring mostly YA writers, such as Jennifer Brown, Jaime Adoff, and Brendan Halpin, the short stories depict the various ways bullying begins, how the bullying cycle continues, and the difficulties in ending bullying. In these tales, bullying takes aim against teens who are younger, weaker, overweight, and who are of different races, ethnicities, genders, and sexual orientation. From a Pakistani-American teen whose uncle is accused of being a terrorist by a jealous observer to a join-or-be-killed gang initiation to a vigilante dedicated to exposing bullies, the stories also reveal how friends, classmates, teammates, teachers, and even the environment can all become tormentors. Although the collection mostly comprises realistic fiction, a few stories incorporate fantasy elements, with Lish McBride's paranormal entry a standout for its dark humor. Helpful for teachers, guidance counselors, and teens trying to stop bullying, yet engaging for readers simply browsing this important topic.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)