Love & Sex: Ten Stories of Truth

Love & Sex: Ten Stories of Truth edited by Michael Cart
Original ISBN 978-0-689-85668-6
Simon Pulse, 2001
225 pages

Plot Summary: Michael Cart has collected ten stories of all aspects of teenage romance written by some of the most prominent young adult authors.

Critical Evaluation: The book is a fascinating compilation of poems and short stories – some told in first person point of view, some in third. Some stories are sweet and tender while others are raw and emotional. All, however, discuss different situations teens face in love. The stories are short so that even the most reluctant reader will enjoy them, and they are told from the perspective of both males and females. Teens will identify with at least one story in this anthology. After each selection, the author has added an explanation of how and why the story came about. This is an excellent way to explain the thought process of writing. This may even be helpful to parents that are a bit upset about the subject matter.

Reader’s Annotation: Sometimes love is exhilarating, silly, angry, and scary. This book depicts teens exploring the different aspects of love.

Author Information: Each author, all regarded highly in YA literature, and their stories in this book include:
“Extra Virgin” by Joan Bauer
“Fine and Dandy” by Louise Hawes
“Lightening Bringer” by Garth Nix
“Secret Shelf” by Sonya Sones
“Snake” by Laurie Halse Anderson
“The Cure for Curtis” by Chris Lynch
 “The Acuteness of Desire” by Michael Lowenthal
 “Troll Bumps” by Shelley Stoehr
 “Watcher” by Angela Johnson
 “The Welcome” by Emma Donoghue

Michael Cart is a Past President of the Young Adult Library Services Association. He has won two prestigious YA awards: the 2000 Grolier Foundation Award and 2008 YALSA/Greenwood Publishing Group Service to Young Adults Achievement Award. He currently works as a reviewer and columnist for Booklist. He is also a fascinating lecturer. A list of Michael Cart’s podcasts can be found at http://www.infoblog.infopeople.org/tag/michael-cart/

Genre: Short stories; Realistic fiction

Curriculum Ties: In English Language Arts as a comparison study of different aspects of YA literature.

Booktalking Ideas: I would read one of the poems in the book from Sandra Sones.

Reading Level / Interest Age: Grades 8-12

Lexile: 840

Challenge Issues: This book contains mention of homosexuality, pre-marital sex, and abortion. The defense of any book begins with being familiar with the text and finding positive professional reviews, and noting any awards given to the book.

Reason for Item’s Inclusion: The format and subject matter appeals to a wide range of readers, both male and female. It would also appeal to reluctant readers.

References:





HarperCollins Publishers. (2012). Author: Michael Cart. Retrieved from http://www.harpercollins.com/authors/11898/Michael_Cart/index.aspx