Teens, I know you’re busy. School, homework, exams, sports, afterschool clubs, jobs, and many other obligations. But we here at FTPL believe everyone should have time to read for pleasure.
To make that easier for you busy teens, we’ve begun highlighting the collections of short stories in our Young Adult area using these bright green stickers!!!
You might not have time to read a whole book, but you may just have enough time to finish a short story or 2. Below is just a brief sample of what we have to offer.
Paranormal and Spooky
Into ghosts, demons, vampires, and all sorts of freaky supernatural and paranormal occurrences? Then check out the dark faeries and other nasty creatures in Holly Black’s The Poison Eaters and other stories or how about vampires in the anthology Teeth: vampire tales. What about curses gone horribly wrong in Curses, Inc. and other stories by Vivian Vande Velde or the critters in Unnatural Creatures: Stories Selected by Neil Gaiman? You can find more creepy, unnatural, magical, and maybe even romantic short stories on our shelves.
Modern and Realistic
Looking for something more natural, maybe even realistic or modern? Try stories about street basketball in The Pick-up Game by Marc Aronson or the melodrama and angst of Sixteen: Stories About That Sweet and Bitter Birthday. For stories about growing-up, leaving home, and finding your place in the world check out No Such Thing as the Real World or Gone From Home by Angela Johnson. Looking for some romance instead? Why not try Let It Snow: Three Holiday Romances (including a story by John Green) or Who am I without him?: short stories about girls and the boys in their lives.
LGBTQ
Covering topics including identity, romance, and friendship, there are large variety of short stories dedicated the the experiences of LGBTQ teens. Check out How they met and other stories or 21 Proms, both by David Levithan. Or try How beautiful the ordinary: twelve stories of identity. And despite the title, Girl meets Boy: Because there are two sides to every story contains stories about a variety of relationships. And don’t forget Angry Management by Chris Crutcher stories about prejudice, rage, hope, and surviving.
Randomness
Not all stories and anthologies fit into a specific genre. Like the quirky magical realism found in Pretty Monsters by Kelly Link the dark and eerie tales in Cat in Glass and other tales by Nancy Etchemendy. Or you can help settle the debate once and for all in Zombies vs. Unicorns (how about zombie unicorns?). Why not try the dark fantasy of Black Juice by Mango Lanagan or mix your fantasy and scifi in Firebirds: An Anthology of Original Fantasy and Science Fiction. Or geek-out with Geektastic: stories from the nerd herd.
Popular Series
Finally, is there a series you love but can’t get enough of? You can find collections of short stories taking place within the worlds of popular series, sometimes filling in gaps, adding backstory, or even bringing supporting characters into the limelight. Examples include The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare, Happily Ever After by Kiera Cass, Four: A Divergent Collection by Veronica Roth, Stars Above: A Lunar Chronicles Collection by Marissa Meyer, I am Number Four: The Lost Files by Pittacus Lore, Dorothy Must Die: Stories by D.M. Paige, and UnBound: Stories from the Unwind World by Neal Shusterman.
