Bad boys (Rush hour; volume 2)
Edited by Michael Cart
What's the appeal of the bad boy in books and film? What makes a bad boy? 18 writers and artists explore the bad boy theme in this collection.
Recommended for 15+
Reviewed by Annie
Crew's 13 classic tales of the macabre and fantastic
Gary Crew
This is an horror book with 13 stories.
The stories explore the dark forces of nature and the human psyche.
With things like a hypnotist experiments with a dying man. A earthquake throws up something extraordinary form the oceans' depths and my favourite, a corpse comes knocking at the door...
Annaliesa, 13
A collection of 18 stories about wizards.
There’s Runnel, mistreated at home, who is out in the world finding his place.
Garth Nix looks at the Robin Hood story in a very different light.
Justin discovers there is far more to his neighbour’s wife.
The story of Merlin and the Lady in the Lake is give a new twist in ‘The magic animal’.
Recommended for ages 13+
Reviewed by Annie
Charles de Lint
A collection of de Lint stories featuring teenaged protagonists.
There are stories from his otherworldly city – Newford – where magic is just around the corner of your eye – if you can see it.
There are stories from Bordertown, where humans and elves live on the edge.
There are vampires and trolls…
Common themes and characters in fantasy are made uncommon by the magic of de Lint’s storytelling.
Recommended for ages 14+
Reviewed by Annie
Chosen by Philip Pullman
Author Philip Pullman has put together a varied collection of detective stories. From an Italian folktale of terror and fear; to a Sherlock Holmes story; not to mention one of the original stories about Simon Templar – the Saint. There’s an appearance by Hercule Poirot and a ghost (and that one’s a true story!).
Recommended for 12+
Reviewed by Annie
Edited by Lisa Rowe Fraustino
A collection of stories celebrating, commemorating, discussing and dreading getting your period.
Recommended for ages 12 +
Reviewed by Annie
Edited by Tessa Duder
A collection of true stories celebrating New Zealand’s connection to the sea.
Recommended for ages 10+
Reviewed by Annie
Edited by M. Jerry Weiss and Helen S. Weiss
Fourteen authors explore dreams and visions – and their various manifestations – in this collection of fantasy and science fiction stories.
Jameel is torn between his life in America and the expectations and needs of his extended family in Pakistan.
A young airman meets an unexpected angel in the afterlife in a story that makes you question war - and its impact on soldiers.
Mona becomes more and more sure that their new neighbour is a witch – but how can she convince anyone?
Recommended for ages 14+
Reviewed by Annie
Face
(Rush hour; volume 3)
Edited by Michael Cart
As in the previous Rush hour books, this collection sets out to make you think. Fiction, non fiction, poetry, and art combine.
Recommended for ages 15+
Reviewed by Annie
Edited by Miriam Hodgson
Famous young adult authors have contributed short stories about families to this collection. Families in all their shapes and sizes.
Recommended for ages 12+
Reviewed by Annie
Edited by Bruce Coville
Ever wondered what happened to the tree that was turned into a man in Tamora Pierce's Wolf-Speaker? His story, and others, in this volume explore what it's like to half-human - or half-something else.
Recommended for ages 10+
Reviewed by Annie
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Edited by Graeme Lay
 All of the stories in this collection where written by NZers under 18 years old. Find out what other teens are thinking and feeling.
Recommended for ages 12+
Reviewed by Annie
Written by Anne Fine
Very different is a book of short stories, my favourite was "The Gnome Coming Party". It is humorous and uses good description. I also enjoyed the story "Partners in crime" because it was different and original, it had strange ideas in it. I felt glad when Miss Phillip married Ned instead of marrying the stuffed seal.
Best character: Chloe from "Two of these and one of those"
Katie, 13
Written by Anne Fine
A quirky collection of stories. Welcome to Geoffrey the Gnome's Homecoming Party. Meet Blair, who's into embroidery and cooking, and his embarrassed father. Discover how a mother can totally destroy sibling dynamics.
Recommended for ages 12+
Reviewed by Annie
Written by Jamila Gavin
A collection of short stories set now and in the future. There's Nasreen, who's breaking out from the boundaries set by her culture; Mona, a weird pig; and a demonic drummer.
Recommended for ages 12+
Reviewed by Annie
Edited by Deborah Noyes
The book has lots of mysterious horror of the supernatural in it. Each story is great, some of them include, a serial killer who continues after death, a house with a horrible secret and so much more!
Annaliesa, 13
Edited by Deborah Noyes
Gothic = castles – ghosts – curses and villains. The traditional elements of gothic stories are all here. Some of the tales are scarier than others, some funnier.
Recommended for ages 14+
Reviewed by Annie
Margo Lanagan
Ten short stories - very different in their focus and feeling. Dylan helps deliver a baby - but the mother is very different. Anderson faces down the bullies in his boarding school. Cerise finds out the truth about her birth.
Recommended for ages 14+
Reviewed by Annie
Edited by Tony Bradman
12 authors look at relationships between boys and their fathers. What happens when your superhero Dad becomes normal, just like any other person? Ever wanted your dad to be a bit more out there – Mart’s dad is a punk, and sometimes Mart just wants him to be more normal. Steve discovers that death can’t keep a father from protecting his boy.
Recommended for ages 12+
Reviewed by Annie
Edited by Bel Mooney
14 authors write about the mother-daughter bond in many forms.
Recommended for ages 12+
Reviewed by Annie
Edited by Barbara Else
20 stories featuring New Zealand teens – from mates behaving badly, to watching your mother die, to imagining meeting your father years in the future.
Recommended for ages 12+
Reviewed by Annie
Edited by M. Jerry Weiss & Helen S. Weiss
A collection of short stories telling it how it is in the real world. Just because the stories are fiction doesn't mean they're not real.
Recommended for ages 12+
Reviewed by Annie
Walter Dean Myers
A hard-hitting and realistic view of life in Harlem, told by the folks who live there. There's death, marriage, gang warfare, good luck, bad luck, and friendships. There's love that's so deep nothing can stop it.
Recommended for ages 14+
Reviewed by Annie
Edited by Patrick Nielsen Hayden
A collection of wonderful fantasy stories, most of which have been published previously. Neil Gaiman writes about Mrs Whitaker, who finds the Holy Grail at her local Oxfam shop; Dieter is chased through the streets by those wanting to kill the werewolf and finds someone willing to keep him safe; the Holy Grail pops up again, this time Peter has to find it in the streets of modern day New York; Alvin Maker’s birth features in the story by Orson Scott Card; and Sherwood Smith speculates what life would be like as the parents of children who travel to another world.
Recommended for ages 14+
Reviewed by Annie
Garth Nix
Included in this collection is a novella, “Nicholas Sayre and the creature in the case”, in which we reacquaint ourselves with Nicholas – friend of Lirael and Sam – who is determined to return to the Old Kingdom, against the wishes of his father.
Also in this collection are 11 other stories, some of which have been published previously – and some interesting little asides from Garth about the writing of these.
Recommended for ages 14+
Reviewed by Annie
Beverley Naidoo
The years of Apartheid are a dark part of South Africa's history, a time that many want to forget that it ever happened. The stories in this book lead you through the lives of people who lived through these events - that worked for, or against, Apartheid. Some of the stories bring hope, others open your eyes to the danger and desperation of those times. An important read for those who do not want to repeat the mistakes of the past by separating people because of the colour of their skin.
Recommended for ages 12+
Reviewed by Erika
Edited by Donald R. Gallo
These stories are written by acclaimed authors. They explore and celebrate teens living on the fringe. They're the 'loners,' the 'freaks,' - the ones who don't fit 'normal'.
Recommended for ages 14+
Reviewed by Annie
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Foreward by Michael Palin
What is a journey? Is it physical, or emotional, or psychological? And what is a perfect journey? Follow along and see.
Recommended for ages 14+
Reviewed by Annie
As these stories show love can be found in a variety of ways.
Recommended for ages 14+
Reviewed by Annie
Edited by by Tessa Duder and Peter McFarlane
A father and daughter with nothing in common strike a quick bargain - he will read a book with her, but she has to play a sport with him.
Greg is a real cricket whiz, about to go on a hot date with one of the most popular girls around - only now he has a pimple the size of a cricket ball on his nose.
Freddie Bone is an unlikely hero, the fat boy who can't keep up with the rest of the swimmers but tries anyway.
Recommended for ages 12+
Reviewed by Erika
Edited by Dana Stabenow
Twelve tales of mystery and fantasy. A private detective wonders what’s wrong with him – until he realises he’s dead. A mage’s apprentice has the chance to solve a murder when her master has a cold. When the Sword of Justice is unsheathed it won’t rest until a verdict is reached. When a Professor is murdered, in front of students, the only possible suspects are the faculty – including the Headmistress who is determined to find the killer.
Recommended for ages 15+
Reviewed by Annie
Meg Cabot, Kim Harrison, Michele Jaffe, Stephenie Meyer, Lauren Myracle
The Prom (or School Ball) – months of anticipation and planning – hoping for the perfect night. For these five teen girls the prom does not go according to plan.
Mary has to live up to her heritage as a vampire slayer’s daughter when her best friend is enthralled.
Frankie’s dream date comes through – but is it worth it?
Learning she’s a mercy date, Madison ditches the prom with a sexy stranger – but he’s not what he appears.
Miranda’s also keeping secrets – this time she’s hoping she can save Sibby, who also has secrets.
The new girl, Sheba, is intent on making the prom all she wants – but she hadn’t counted on Gabe.
Recommended for ages 14+
Reviewed by Annie
Edited by Michael Cart
Like the other books in this short stories series, Reckless offers up some challenging reads.
Alex is left alone for the first time since his suicide attempt. A young adult pines for his first love. A teen mother tells her story through notes and letters.
These stories, and more, poems and art explore what is reckless.
Recommended for ages 14+
Reviewed by Annie
Edited by Alan Bunn and James Norcliffe
38 stories and poems by 28 teen writers - from love to terrorism - it's all here.
Recommended for ages 10+
Reviewed by Annie
Gillian Rubinstein
Enter different worlds - from 1950s England to the Australia of the future. On the way you can meet the Goddess Athene in your local supermarket, or search for love at the local pool.
Recommended for ages 12+
Reviewed by Annie
Edited by Sara Corrin and Eva Corrin
A collection of classic tales, all a wee bit quirky or unexpected. Perfect if you need to read a short story for school!
Recommended for ages 14+
Reviewed by Annie
Sin (Rush hour; volume 1)
Edited by Michael Cart
A collection of short stories, poetry and art exploring the concept of sin in many forms.
Recommended for 15+
Reviewed by Annie
Edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling
There are certain stories that you should always remember, such as never invite a green boy into your home and tell him your name. It should also never be forgotten that the horrible sisters in fairytales almost always meet a nasty or sticky end. Here is another collection of retold fairytales that will appeal to children and teens of all ages. There are short and sharp, and many have a sometimes subtle humour that will have you in stitches or laughing out loud.
Recommended for ages 10+
Reviewed by Erika
It is rumoured that few Slayers live past their 18th birthdays. Buffy fans would have seen Buffy go through her own test – the Cruciamentum – in the “Helpless” episode in season three. The Cruciamentum tests the Slayer’s ability to outthink demon kind, after her Watcher has taken away her Slayer strength. In this volume eight Slayers are tested. From New York in the 1970s, to Seville, Spain, at the height of the Spanish Inquisition – can they make it?
Recommended for 12+
Reviewed by Annie
Edited by Wendy Cooling
10 authors tell stories of their school lives. There's Margaret Mahy, Paul Jennings, Robert Swindells... and more.
Recommended for ages 10+
Reviewed by Annie
A thought provoking collection of 17 stories looking at time travel, parallel universes and alternative histories.
How prepared would we be if science fiction was forgotten and aliens appeared in the skies?
What would happen if a mafia family travelled back to the middle ages?
Harry Turtledove looks at a Middle East conflict in an alterative history, yet it seems very familiar.
What purpose would Joan of Arc have if she was brought to the future?
Recommended for ages 14+
Reviewed by Annie
Compiled by Michael Cart
How far can computers take us in the future? A millennia or so from now nobody reads - they've all forgotten how. Computers are jacked straight into the brain, and they create a whole new kind of reality. But what do you do if you are "allergic" to this new technology?
For more than twenty years environmentalists have been fighting for the good of the world. Jarred didn't care about things too much until he met B J Fox. Now all he does is mope around and moon about the Earth, but his sister Louise has a plan.
Space travel is now the norm, and the first family unit is going to Mars - the Holbrooks are going to make history. Kern is the eldest son and a mathematical genius. Dylan is younger and a chronic underachiever. Kern is also a hacking genius and what he is about to find out could lead to more than just sibling rivalry.
Recommended for ages 12+
Reviewed by Erika
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Edited by by Rehana Ahmed
Ten stories that explore what it is to be a teenager of Asian descent living in Britain, in India, in the Kingdom of Nonsense; now and in the past. At times heart-breaking, funny, poignant – but all will make you think and reflect.
Recommended for ages 13+
Reviewed by Annie
Edited by Carole Nelson Douglas
A collection of short stories starring US presidents, future presidents - and their pets - solving crimes in and around the White House.
Recommended for ages 14+
Reviewed by Annie
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Half-human
Gothic
