For teens navigating the complexities of growing up, this collection offers relatable stories exploring male identity, friendships, and finding your place in the world.
A parent might reach for this book when their teenage son is struggling with social pressures or questioning what it means to be a man. This anthology features ten short stories by acclaimed authors, each exploring the complex inner lives of adolescent boys. The book delves into crucial themes like friendship, identity, family dynamics, and the challenge of navigating expectations versus being true to yourself. Its short story format makes it highly accessible, especially for reluctant readers. It's a great tool for starting conversations about emotional vulnerability and the many different ways there are to be a guy.
Some use of teen-appropriate slang and occasional mild curse words.
Substance ReferencesMild
Passing mentions of teen parties may include underage drinking, handled realistically.
Sensitive Topics
The book directly addresses sensitive topics like identity, peer pressure, family conflict (divorce, blended families), bullying, and homophobia. The approach is consistently direct and secular, rooted in realistic adolescent experiences. Resolutions vary by story: some are hopeful and clear, while others are more realistic and ambiguous, leaving the character (and reader) with things to ponder. The overall tone validates the confusion of adolescence rather than offering simple answers.
Ideal Reader
A 14 to 16-year-old boy who feels constricted by traditional stereotypes of masculinity. He might be a quiet or sensitive kid, an athlete questioning the jock culture, or any teen struggling to articulate his feelings and find his place among his peers. This book is for the reader who needs to see that his internal struggles are not unique and that there are many valid ways to be himself.
Parent Prep
A parent should be aware of the range of topics. Previewing Ron Koertge's "Dancing with a Monster," which deals with a character's reaction to his friend coming out, is recommended to prepare for potential conversations about LGBTQ+ identity and homophobia. The book can be read cold, but its format lends itself well to discussing one story at a time. A parent notices their son seems withdrawn, is struggling with friends, or makes a comment like, "I'm supposed to act a certain way, but I don't feel like that." or "Why is everyone else so sure of themselves?" The trigger is observing a disconnect between their son's authentic self and the social mask he feels he has to wear.
Age Experience
A younger reader (13-14) will likely connect with the surface-level conflicts: the fight with a friend, the awkwardness of a school dance, or the tension with a stepparent. An older reader (15-17) is better equipped to understand the subtler critiques of social norms and toxic masculinity. They will engage more deeply with the overarching questions of identity and self-acceptance.
What Makes It Special
Its short story format is its greatest strength. Unlike a single-narrative novel, this collection offers multiple, diverse perspectives from a stellar lineup of male and female authors. It powerfully communicates that there is no single, monolithic "guy" experience, making it a uniquely effective tool for breaking down stereotypes and validating a wide range of male identities.
Read plot summary
This is an anthology of ten realistic fiction short stories, edited by Nancy Mercado, featuring prominent YA authors like Walter Dean Myers, Ron Koertge, and Mo Willems. Each story centers on a teenage boy protagonist grappling with a different facet of masculinity and identity. Plots include a boy dealing with his best friend coming out as gay, a teen navigating a new stepfamily, a quiet kid trying to find his voice, a jock feeling the pressure to perform, and a boy getting into trouble and facing his father's disappointment.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
In Walter Dean Myers's story "Kick," Kevin's dad says, "A man is supposed to be able to take a kick." What do you think he means? Do you agree with that idea?
2
In "Dancing with a Monster," the narrator struggles with his own feelings after his best friend, Bobby, comes out as gay. Why do you think he feels so conflicted and uncomfortable at first?
3
Several stories feature a character who feels like an outsider. Which character did you feel was the most isolated, and what decision did they make to try and connect with others?
4
If you could add an eleventh story to this collection about being a guy today, what would it be about? What challenges or experiences feel important to include?
