No Easy Answers: Short Stories About Teenagers Making Tough Choices [Mass Market Paperback]

Donald R. Gallo (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 12, 1999

This anthology features stories about individuals who find themselves in situations that test their strength of character. They are called upon to make moral choices, face the consequences of their actions, and consider what it means to "do the right thing. " From computer blackmail, peer pressure, and gang violence to drug use, unwanted pregnancy, guilt and atonement, these characters face decisions that may affect the rest of their lives. There are many tough choices; there are no easy answers.


From the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This collection of 16 original stories by distinguished YA writers "seems designed for the classroom," said PW. "With its clear presentations of ambiguous issues, it should particularly interest teachers trying to stimulate discussions." Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 10 Up. This collection of stories is intended to illustrate some of the moral choices facing teenagers today. Issues include computer blackmail, peer pressure, and self-censorship. The characters must decide for themselves the right thing to do. M.E. Kerr, Ron Koertge, Walter Dean Myers, Jack Gantos, and Rita Williams-Garcia are among the contributors. While these authors write well in the novel format, their talent is not always evident in this short story format. In Louise Plummer's "Bliss at the Burger Bar," the 18-year-old manager of a fast-food restaurant tries to comfort a teenage employee who is pregnant and has just been beaten by her boyfriend, but readers never find out what happens to her. In T. Ernesto Bethancourt's "Moon over Missouri," a teen who developed a best-selling CD-ROM adventure game is being sued because of its content, but the story ends before the case goes to trial. Other selections are equally open-ended, and most YAs will be left with a feeling of discontent, wanting to know what happens next. While the lack of conclusions might lead to some interesting discussions within a moderated group, it will be less satisfying for independent readers.?Tracy Taylor, Los Angeles Public Library
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Laurel Leaf; Reprint edition (January 12, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440413052
• ISBN-13: 978-0440413059
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 1 x 7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #312,699 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful and deeply thought provoking collection., July 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: No Easy Answers (Hardcover)

As an eighth grade teacher I am always interested in good short stories that are appropriate for young adults. I enjoy reading to my students and No Easy Answers proved to be one of the most powerful collections of short stories that I have ever read. My students loved it, and many of them chose to read it on their own. These stories are not only well written and representative of the diveristy of our country, but also pertinent to the tough issues--teenage pregnancy, first love, lonliness, parent-child relationships and homosexuality--that are confronting our children today. If you are a parent, teen, or teacher who is looking for a book that makes you think and confront these types of issues then this is definately the book for you. I highly recommend it.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent discussion tool for character education . . ., July 23, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Maplewood, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: No Easy Answers (Hardcover)

Given the recent trend toward violence with teenagers, this book provides a powerful discussion piece in the middle school classroom. The stories in this collection all have characters who face difficult moral delimmas. This can spark many classroom activities where students determine the best course of action. This gets young adults talking about character, taking responsiblity, and choosing the right path. Furthermore, the high interest level of the stories hook even the most reluctant of readers! It was hard for anyone in the room to put down.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Highly Inappropriate- Be careful before selecting this, February 13, 2009

By 

M. Chaudhery "Instructor and Administrator" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: No Easy Answers: Short Stories About Teenagers Making Tough Choices (Mass Market Paperback)

This collection of short stories does indeed bring to light various moral dilemmas. However, the content is highly inappropriate for middle school students because of the graphic references to voyeurism, "penile enlargement", and other sexual content. There is no doubt that kids at this age may be exposed to some of this- but not to the extent of the descriptions in these stories. The stories will make students very uncomfortable and not because of the dilemmas so much as these references; parents will definitely oppose this as well. My suggestion is read the book first before selecting it for this age group.