Parents might reach for this collection when their teenager is navigating the complex, often bittersweet moments of growing up. "8 Plus 1" presents nine poignant stories that delve into the heart of family relationships, personal identity, and the quiet discoveries that shape us. From a boy learning a family secret at his grandmother's bedside to a divorced father trying to connect with his daughter, each tale offers a window into relatable human experiences. These stories are perfect for older teens (13+) as they handle mature themes like illness, divorce, and moral choices with sensitivity and depth, sparking reflection on love, integrity, and what it means to come of age.
The book deals directly with sensitive topics like divorce, terminal illness, and death of a family member. The approach is realistic and secular, focusing on the emotional fallout and the characters' internal processing. Resolutions are not always perfectly happy but are typically hopeful or, at the very least, full of understanding and acceptance. The book emphasizes emotional truth over tidy endings.
Ideal Reader
A thoughtful, introspective teen (14-17) who appreciates character-driven stories over fast-paced plots. This is for the reader who is beginning to grapple with the gray areas of life and family, and who might be feeling the first pangs of nostalgia for childhood or anxiety about the complexities of adulthood. It's perfect for a teen who has just experienced a family disappointment or a personal moral conflict.
Parent Prep
The book can be read cold. Because it's a collection of short stories, parents can easily read a single story first to gauge the tone. It's a great book to read alongside a teen, as each story provides a contained topic for discussion (divorce, sacrifice, honesty) without the commitment of a full novel. A parent overhears their teen saying something like, "It's just not fair," or "Why is everything so complicated?" The parent senses their child is moving from black-and-white thinking to understanding nuance and wants a book that honors that complexity.
Age Experience
A younger teen (13-14) will likely focus on the surface-level plots: the quest for the card, the father's attempts to entertain his daughter. An older teen (15-18) will better grasp the subtext: the father's desperation, the weight of the family secret, and the bittersweet nature of sacrifice. The older reader will connect more deeply with the themes of identity and the poignant passage of time.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many contemporary YA books focused on high-stakes drama, Cormier's collection is distinguished by its quiet, intense emotional focus on everyday moments. The writing is classic, literary, and deeply personal. Its power comes from the subtle, realistic internal shifts of its characters, making it a masterclass in resonant storytelling about the small events that define us.
Read plot summary
A collection of nine realistic fiction short stories focusing on the pivotal, often quiet moments of adolescence. Key plots include a boy visiting his dying grandmother and uncovering a family secret; a divorced father learning that his presence, not presents, is what his daughter needs; a boy's desperate quest to find a rare trading card to help his brother; and other vignettes about family dynamics, integrity, and the emotional challenges of growing up. The stories are character-driven, internal, and intensely personal.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
In "President Cleveland, Where Are You?", Jerry gives up his rare card for his brother. Do you think he made the right choice? Was there another way he could have helped?
2
In the story about the divorced father, what does the father learn about what his daughter really wants from him? How does their relationship change by the end?
3
In the first story, Mike learns a family secret by his grandmother's bedside. How do you think this new knowledge will change how he sees his family and himself?
4
Many of Robert Cormier's stories end on a thoughtful or bittersweet note, not always a perfectly happy one. Why do you think he chooses to end them this way? Does it make the stories feel more real?
