From the Publisher
Growing up has never been easy, but the girls in this inspiring collection of twenty-one stories and poems for 'tweens tackle it with gusto. Edwidge Danticat exhorts girls to "come to this party" even if they're not invited; Donna Jo Napoli captures the mixture of pride and insecurity in trying to assert independence; Sheila Solomon Klass shares the story of how Annie Oakley learns to shoot a gun despite her mother's disapproval; and Linda Sue Park writes about one girl's struggle in art class as she wavers between wanting acceptance and wanting to express herself. This remarkable, diverse anthology celebrates the energy, imagination, inventiveness, compassion, and strength of young American women.
Publishers Weekly
Stories and poems by the likes of Marion Dane Bauer, Angela Johnson, Valiska Gregory and Linda Sue Park comprise On Her Way: Stories and Poems About Growing Up Girl, edited by Sandy Asher. The anthology, weighted more toward stories than poems, offers less controversial but no less thought-provoking material for preteens. Subjects include a girl who is mistaken for a boy on her first day at a new school, a magic bottle of make-up that bestows instant popularity on its wearer and a fresh spin on the Princess and the Pea that makes the case for true love. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
Mary Loftus
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Children's Literature
A great collection of 15 stories and 6 poems, all of which address themes relevant to girls today. The stories range from modern-day to colonial times, all with the common thread of a young female protagonist. "The Makeover" by Bonny Becker is a contemporary story about the idea of popularity among classmates. In "Rabbit Stew" by Marion Dane Bauer, 11-year-old Lizzie is tricked by her older brothers, but she has the last laugh along with the help of an Indian man. With its short stories with relatable characters in a variety of settings, this book is a good pick for the reader who is reluctant to begin a novel. Poems address the topics of teasing, friendship and individuality, among others. Many well-known authors are contributors, including Newberry winner Linda Sue Park. A short bio about each contributor includes a picture of the author as a girl and an explanation of the writer's inspiration. For "Bird," Margaret Peterson Haddix went back to a childhood incident from her own past, creating in Jeanie a girl with bravery that exceeded her own. Readers are sure to see a bit of themselves in these characters as well. 2004, Dutton Children's Books, Ages 9 to 13.
School Library Journal
Gr 4-8-This anthology celebrates growing up female as the protagonists tackle and embrace new experiences and changes in their lives. In a selection by Francess Lantz, readers meet Joanie Frankenhauser, who spends a day pretending to be a boy when the teacher at her new school mispronounces her name. Sheila Solomon Klass offers a delightful piece in which a young Annie Oakley convinces her mother to let her use her talents with a gun despite the fact that it is not ladylike. In June Rae Wood's "Flying Free," readers will empathize with Joretta, a girl recovering from polio, who is left with her aunt when her mother disappears and who wants to know the truth about where Mama is. In Sandy Asher's "The Secret behind the Stone," Lindsay tries to decide what to do when she learns that her new friend is being abused at home. Other contributors include Marion Dane Bauer, Patricia Calvert, Angela Johnson, Donna Jo Napoli, and Linda Sue Park. The stories and poems are entertaining and engrossing, presenting likable characters who learn valuable lessons on their journeys to womanhood.-Janet Hilbun, formerly at Sam Houston Middle School, Garland, TX Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews
This collection, with writers famous and not, suffers from the usual: the material is very uneven; and most of it has a Message writ so large that the story gets lost. The poems are the best: Angela Johnson's "A Girl Like Me": "flying in / Supergirl / underwear"; Donna Jo Napoli's "Twelve" says, "I am a little woman . . . full of grace"; Edwidge Danticat's "un/titled" declares she's come to the party, "an accident of literacy." Linda Sue Park's story, "The Apple" takes the struggle with art and makes it true and funny, with glitter. Valiska Gregory's "Princess Isobel and the Pea" is a short narrative poem, the familiar fairy tale with a lovely, twisted denouement; Marthe Jocelyn's "The Palazzo Funeral Parlor" talks wryly about death and music. Brief bios of the authors appear at the end, with pictures of them as they were when they were girls-a nice touch. (Essays/poetry. 10+)
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