Twelve Shots [Mass Market Paperback]

Harry Mazer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 10, 1998

In a dozen riveting new works of short fiction, written especially for this collection, popular contemporary authors explore the emotion-driven world of guns. From the grim reality of urban violence (in "Chalkman" by Rita Williams-Garcia) to a boy's first glimpse of manhood while target-shooting with Dad (in Ron Koertge's "Fresh Meat") to mercy killing (in Rob Thomas's "The War Chest"), the 12 stories included here are as different as the 12 authors themselves.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

A dozen stories by well-respected YA authors (including Chris Lynch, Walter Dean Myers, Richard Peck, and Rita Williams-Garcia) about the impact of guns on teenagers' lives. Some stories are funny, others are dead serious and disturbing. Teachers will find this a useful starting place for classroom discussion.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 9^-12. Deeply disturbed by young people's ready access to guns, Mazer invited YA authors to write a story about guns and teens: "not the politics of guns, not the heated arguments or the polemics, but the way guns are present in people's lives." The result is a varied, involving collection with stories by familiar writers such as Walter Dean Meyers, Chris Lynch, Rita Williams-Garcia, and Richard Peck. Settings range from urban to rural, past to present. Some stories are serious and subtly antigun, others are hilarious. What the stories have in common is their depiction of the impact these powerful weapons have on the main characters--on their actions as well as their psyches. The authors have drawn from their own experiences, and not a single one has neglected to illustrate the awesome, terrifying respect that a gun commands. Each story is followed by a brief summation of the author's body of work and insight into what inspired the story. Some staggering statistics about kids and guns in the U.S. and addresses of several antigun organizations conclude. This will be a valuable addition to YA collections: it's not only timely and thought provoking but also an excellent springboard for discussion. Helen Rosenberg --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: 240 pages
• Publisher: Laurel Leaf (August 10, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440220025
• ISBN-13: 978-0440220022
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,793,668 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Twelve Shots deserves 12 stars!, October 23, 2000

By 

"slimshadylady" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Twelve Shots (Mass Market Paperback)

I read Tweleve Shots in a sudden urge to get up and read a odd-sounding titled book. I was suprised at how intrigued one could be in a book with this such genre. I had never thought I would enjoy the book, but as soon as the library fines started becuase I was to busy reading it to return it, I went out and bought myself a copy! That was May. By December, all my friends had read the book and a few bought THIER friends copies for X-mas and birthdays! I now own a battered and worn thin, but loved and frequently read, copy.