Book Review: Up All Night

Up All Night by by Peter Abrahams, Libba Bray, David Levithan, Patricia Mccormick, Sarah Weeks, Gene Yang (short stories)
Review by Meg

This collection of six short stories shows just how much can happen in the space between sunset and sunrise. You can come to terms with your father's homosexuality, or with his death. You can learn how to drive, and how to drive off a threatening stepfather. You can write a story or care for a sick mouse or learn to deal with disappointment. You can discover who you really are and how you really feel. There really is a lot you can do in one night, and these stories explore it all, from the ordinariness of English homework to the exratordinary tale of a beloved father's ghost. My favorite by far was Libba Bray's Not Just for Breakfast Anymore, a story of a teenager learning to cope with the fact that her father is gay. David Levithan's contribution was also very good. Others I didn't like so much, particularly one written in the form of a comic, but on the whole, this was an excellent collection of stories by some of the best young adult authors around.

Book Review: Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List

Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Click on the book cover to see which libraries own it.

SUMMARY: Naomi and Ely are life-long best friends. Naomi loves and is in love with Ely, and Ely loves Naomi, but prefers to be in love with boys. So they create their "No Kiss List" of people neither of them is allowed to kiss. And this works ine - until Bruce. Bruce is Naomi's boyfriend, so there's no reason to put him on the List. But Ely kissed Bruce even though he is boring. The result: a rift of universal proportions and the potential end of "Naomi and Ely: the institution." Can these best friends come back together again?

OPINION: Growing up in neighboring apartments in NYC, Naomi and Ely have a history. Years of memories, secrets, and adventures have bonded them into an almost codependent friendship. But Ely is gay, and Naomi hasn't truely dealt with that, until the Bruce incident. Now Naomi has to face the fact that she really can't turn Ely straight, no matter how beautiful, funny, or needy she is. And Ely has to learn how to relate to people in mature ways instead of using them. This is a story of growing up and growing apart...or maybe not. Told from various points of view, not just those of Naomi and Ely, this novel explores complex relationship issues with depth, sensitivity, and just the right amount of humor.

Book Review: Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

SUMMARY: What happens when two witty, wise, but vulnerable teens meet by accident at a chaotic punk rock club? They fall in love, of course. While both are dealing with the fallout of failed relationships and the infinite hurt that accompanies them, they are questioning everything about themselves, their friends, and their future paths. The passion and intelligence of these characters, along with the authors' intimate knowledge of and complete respect for their audience, make this novel unique. Told in alternating chapters over the course of a single night, the narratives create a fully fleshed-out picture of both teens, informed by their love of music, their devotion to their friends, and their clear-eyed view of the world. There are many heart-stopping, insightful moments in this supremely satisfying and sexy romance. A first-rate read. (excerpted from the SLJ review)

OPINION: This story perfectly captures the start of a relationship, with all of its uncertainties, revelations, and, yes, passion. The story has no middle school cheesiness about it ("Do you like me? Circle yes or no.")! It is very intense, and very real. The authors wrote this book chapter by chapter, with no advance planning. The characters (and their dedication to music) control the action from the start. If you are a music fan, this is a great f***in read! I'm not just saying that for effect...I think this book might set a record for use of the F word. So, as long as you're not fussy about language, check it out!

OTHER BOOKS: A third book about Cyd Charisse, Cupcake, will be released in January. And see Amy's post below about another collaboration between David Levithan and Rachel Cohn!

WEBSITE: Check out the official Nick and Norah website. It has playlists, downloads, blogs, author info, and more!