Sixteen

September 1, 2004
Adult/High School-Though marketed as an adult title, this collection includes stories by authors generally considered to be writing for YAs, such as Sonya Sones and Jacqueline Woodson, as well as a smattering of adult authors like Steve Almond. The pieces are mostly set squarely in the 16-year-old brain, rather than taking the point of view of an adult looking back fondly on adolescence. Some of the authors, like Sarah Dessen, write somewhat more explicitly here than in their YA titles. Others use the format readers have grown used to-for example, Sones's free verse works as well in the short-story format as in novels. Ned Vizzini's tale is set in an Old West brothel and revisits the theme of parents who just don't understand. Two of the strongest stories are Emma Forrest's "The Grief Diet," in which rich girls have meaningless sexual encounters in Paris, and Carolyn Mackler's "Mona Lisa, Jesus, Chad and Me," about two Central New York vacationers, one of whom has just lost her virginity, while the other has just found religion. Both selections explore friendships growing apart. Finally, McCafferty revisits Jersey girls Jessica and Hope, who were introduced in Sloppy Firsts (2001) and Second Helpings (2003, both Crown) in "Fifteen Going On-." Fans of those novels will appreciate this story, and will discover other delightful and different ones as well.-Jamie Watson, Harford County Public Library, MD

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