A Short Stay in Purgatory

This collection of 12 short stories focus on the special hell which only teenage years can bring. They cover a wide variety of subjects from pregnancy to first love, from homosexuality to crime. The writing is clear and well-focused but the subject matter is uneven in impact and appeal: some protagonists truly find themselves in purgatory - others are subjected to less rigorous storylines. Careful selection would make this a good collection to read aloud to Upper School classes, since its themes are diverse and many of its storylines thoughtful and entertaining.