Thirteen

This is a collection of thirteen original short stories by thirteen different authors about being thirteen. Here is the usual boy/girl, multicultural mix in a striking collection that sums up comprehensively what being thirteen means to modern youngsters. If you want angst about weight and appearance, sex and relationships, rites of passage, trying to exert individuality and to understand the parents, it’s here in abundance. There are humorous pieces, moving accounts and a good dollop of quirkiness. If you’ve got the cash, make it a year 8 group reader and give the kids something that really talks to them directly.