Customer Reviews

Kissing Tennessee: And Other Stories from the Stardust Dance

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Kissing Tennessee and Other Stories from the Stardust Dance by Kathi Appelt is a book of short stories about teens and some of the problems they face. These are some of the examples that the kids face in the eight stories. In Rachel's Sister, Mary Sarah struggles against memories of her and her sister escaping their abusive father. In Starbears Cub Tanner deals with his confusion about The Question, which is really many questions all rolled up into one. Why does he have such strong feelings for Trent Davis? In These Shoes, Tawny learns that you don't have to rich and have everything in the world to be happy. I gave this book four stars because these stories were fun to read and they made you think. Since the stories were so short, they made you wonder what would happen next if they kept going. I didn't want some of the stories to end. I think this is a good book for people who want to try reading a different style of writing. I really enjoyed this book and I think that all young readers should try it.

It's no wonder that this much anticipated short-story collection by noted author Kathi Appelt was recognized as a Best Book for Young Adults by the American Library Association or that it is so eagerly devoured by young teens looking for stories that connect with their real lives.

The school dance in these tales holds all the perils and delights of those memorable moments, the ones that young people use to define themselves and will forever look back upon.

This is a book that can be enjoyed on many levels. Real, romantic, gritty, and touching, KISSING TENNESSEE will leave thoughtful readers with much to ponder and all of us still swaying to the music.

A collection of short stories, both bitter and sweet, that touch the most vulnerable of times - our teen years. As a young adult librarian who works with teen girls from disordered and abusive situations I was thrilled to have this special collection of short stories to share with them. Kissing Tennessee contained stories many of the girls relate to, with situations very similar to their own experiences. "Rachel's Sister" and "The Right Word" are two of the most powerful stories that communicate to readers in similar situations that "you are not alone." Though the book focuses on a junior high dance, I have found it just as appealing to high school readers. I am so thankful that more authors like Appelt who are writing for teens are addressing their real issues, experiences, and concerns. Yes, there are the tender, romantic stories here, too. But Appelt is in tune with the rest of the world that teens live in. It is not all fantasy. There is bitter right along with the sweet. A stellar collection highly recommended.

Do you remember what it was like to be in the 8th grade? Kathi Appelt helps us to remember what a wonderful and sometimes confusing time adolescence is. Written in a true Southern voice, this selection of individual stories chronicles one night to remember in several middle school student's lives. This isn't an idealized account of what we would perceive a 1950's youth would experience. With sometimes brutal honesty and an eye to detail, the book give us a window into the lives of these young students as they cross the threshold into adulthood in the late 20th Century.

The first time I read this book, I was in Middle School. I loved it then and a couple of the stories just stuck with me through the years. I had forgotten the title of the book, but I could never forget a few of the stories. Years later, while in University, I tried to find the book again, but I could not remember for the life of me what it was called. Finally, I found it by chance. I borrowed it from the library, and discovered that it was just as good the second time as it was the first time.

Kissing Tennessee is made up of a series of short stories surrounding the kids at the Stardust Dance in a middle school. The book starts with an invitation to attend the dance and then ends with a poem from the janitor as she cleans up the glitter from the dance. In between are stories that are both happy and sad. There are stories of death and rape and abuse as well as stories of first kisses and finding yourself. These are real issues that teenagers are faced with today.

The stories are so dynamic and so real that they stick with you days after you have finished reading it. It is a short book with only just over 100 pages. I recommend that if you have a library card and your library has this book, that you borrow it and read it. It shouldn't take more than two to three hours but it will stick with you in your hear for a long time.

Rating: 5/5

It is the big dance for the eighth-graders at Dogwood Junior High School. Each student has his or her own story to tell about the event. Some stories deal with the mundane: a boy afraid to talk to the girl he likes, next-door neighbors who have grown apart, opposites attracting, and a student who is ashamed of her poor family.

Other stories deal with more difficult topics: domestic violence, death, homosexuality, and date rape. For this one night, though, maybe these students can put aside their problems and enjoy the magic of the dance.

I liked the way these stories came together. I especially liked when different stories mentioned the same characters. As with all short stories, though, I was left wanting more detail.

Kissing Tennessee and other short stories form the Stardust Dance by Kathi Appelt is a short book of short stories. The book is about different teenagers and their different problems. One of my favorites was Rachel's Sister. In that story the author wrote about a girl named Mary Sarah. Mary Sarah shared the sad tail of her and her sister Rachel's abusive father and what they had to go through. Another great story is The Notes Between the Notes, where the author wrote of two teenagers who don't have anything in common except one thing; they both secretly have a huge crush on each other. Definitely the coolest one was In These Shoes, in that story you/the reader get to go to the dance with all the other fictional characters you/the reader just reader about! The reason I didn't rate Kissing Tennessee five stars is because it is too short, I think I could have been longer. If you like reading fun books that put you in different perspectives, then definitely read Kissing Tennessee!

it was good if you think that chili dogs are good, if not i feel sorry for you

Kathi Appelt has outdone herself. Long accomplished as a picture book writer (see her new The Alley Cat's Meow--absolutely wonderful!) she has now distinguished herself as a young adult author. This series of related stories captures the angst that junior high age teens grapple with. Appelt covers it all, from abusive parents to rape to homosexuality. And through it all, she maintains a light touch and lyrical way with words. This is delicious writing!!

The book I am reading is Kissing Tennessee by Kathi Appelt.
My knowledge about this book is very good I like the way they set the plot and everything, especially in the chapter, Rachel Sister.
In this chapter it shows how a father of a family did not want there kids to do certain things like their daughter, she could not wear any makeup or put any stylish stuff in her hair.
In this book the Author used Mood,plot and Setting.
I thought that Book's was a very good, because it talk about everything, it don't actually talk about kissing and stuff like that. It mostly talk about how teenagers live and what they do when they go some place and what they do when hanging out with each other. Well, a lot of people think this book is about people doing stuff in their relationship, because of the cover, but that's not true. I think that everybody should take their chance to read this book because it's actually a very good.