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Visions: 19 Short Stories
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Nineteen superb stories by today's best-known authors of young adult novels, coming together to create a window of the mind, a vision illuminating the joys and sorrows of young people.
These nineteen splendid stories range from tales of tender romance and the delights of mystery and fantasy to the struggles of death, divorce, and growing up. Here are recollections from the past, stories of today, and visions of the future.
Nineteen superb stories by today's best-known authors of young adult novels, coming together to create a window of the mind, a vision illuminating the joys and sorrows of young people.
These nineteen splendid stories range from tales of tender romance and the delights of mystery and fantasy to the struggles of death, divorce, and growing up. Here are recollections from the past, stories of today, and visions of the future.
240 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
22 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
Donald R. Gallo
31 books17 followersDonald R. Gallo, often called the godfather of YA short stories, is the editor of more than a dozen acclaimed anthologies, including Sixteen, Destination Unexpected, First Crossing, and What Are You Afraid Of?. A former English teacher and professor, he began championing short stories written specifically for teens in 1980, addressing a gap in school curricula. His groundbreaking work has earned numerous accolades, including the ALAN Award for Outstanding Contributions to Young Adult Literature. Gallo now writes, edits, and presents workshops, while also enjoying photography, cooking, and travel from his home in Solon, Ohio.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
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April 22, 2025Cutting is for Amanda and the Wounded Birds
By Colby Rodowsky
By Colby Rodowsky
March 21, 2008
Editor: Donald R. Gallo
Title: Visions: 19 Short Stories by Outstanding Writers for Young Adults
Genre: short stories about romance, coming-of-age, and ghosts
Publication Info: Bantam Doubleday. New York. 1987.
Recommended Age: 14 and up
Plot Summary: “The Good Girls” by Fran Arrick is about a 16-year-old girl named Mary Louise. Her mother had walked out on her and her father years before. Her father is always drunk and he sometimes beats her up. It is implied that he sometimes molests her as well. She has a part-time job at a community center teaching five and six-year-olds to dance. Miss Dorothy is a professional dancer who first taught Mary Louise to dance. She hired her as help, and can tell that something is wrong. However, Mary Louise does not tell her what is going on, even when given the chance. Mary Louise has a new student named Patty. Even though her family is rich, the other students tease Patty. Mary Louise can tell there is something wrong, but Patty will not say anything. One day, Patty’s mom comes to the community center to accuse the teachers of working the children too hard. Patty had recently become very tired and started to get a lot of bruises. Mary Louise realizes that Patty’s father has been beating and molesting her, as well. She tells Patty that she knows what she is going through, and even though her dad may have told Patty not to tell anyone, Mary Louise will tell an adult for her. Patty then asks if that means she is supposed to tell an adult for Mary Louise. The story ends with Mary Louise going to the community center to tell Miss Dorothy how her father treats her.
Personal Notes: The book is divided into sections, such as “figments,” “conflicts,” and “choices.” It deals with many of the issues that young adults face. All of the authors have written other novels and short stories. I think it would be very useful to have this book in the classroom. “Great Moves” shows the downfalls of being extremely competitive. “What Happened in the Cemetery” shows that it does not make sense to give away your virginity to someone you do not even know. “Amanda and the Wounded Bird” suggests that you should never give up trying to talk with your parents, even if they sometimes seem too busy, and “The All-American Slurp” sends an ironic message about when different countries collide.
Evaluation: I really enjoyed reading this book. I have read a lot of other short stories, and these have become some of my favorites. There was a good balance of stories about boys and girls. The language was fairly clean, but the content was not for younger readers.
Other Comments: Reading this book has made me want to find other collections of young adult short stories. Before now, I did not think they even existed. Utilizing such stories in the classroom would help students familiarize themselves with and come to appreciate this great genre.
Title: Visions: 19 Short Stories by Outstanding Writers for Young Adults
Genre: short stories about romance, coming-of-age, and ghosts
Publication Info: Bantam Doubleday. New York. 1987.
Recommended Age: 14 and up
Plot Summary: “The Good Girls” by Fran Arrick is about a 16-year-old girl named Mary Louise. Her mother had walked out on her and her father years before. Her father is always drunk and he sometimes beats her up. It is implied that he sometimes molests her as well. She has a part-time job at a community center teaching five and six-year-olds to dance. Miss Dorothy is a professional dancer who first taught Mary Louise to dance. She hired her as help, and can tell that something is wrong. However, Mary Louise does not tell her what is going on, even when given the chance. Mary Louise has a new student named Patty. Even though her family is rich, the other students tease Patty. Mary Louise can tell there is something wrong, but Patty will not say anything. One day, Patty’s mom comes to the community center to accuse the teachers of working the children too hard. Patty had recently become very tired and started to get a lot of bruises. Mary Louise realizes that Patty’s father has been beating and molesting her, as well. She tells Patty that she knows what she is going through, and even though her dad may have told Patty not to tell anyone, Mary Louise will tell an adult for her. Patty then asks if that means she is supposed to tell an adult for Mary Louise. The story ends with Mary Louise going to the community center to tell Miss Dorothy how her father treats her.
Personal Notes: The book is divided into sections, such as “figments,” “conflicts,” and “choices.” It deals with many of the issues that young adults face. All of the authors have written other novels and short stories. I think it would be very useful to have this book in the classroom. “Great Moves” shows the downfalls of being extremely competitive. “What Happened in the Cemetery” shows that it does not make sense to give away your virginity to someone you do not even know. “Amanda and the Wounded Bird” suggests that you should never give up trying to talk with your parents, even if they sometimes seem too busy, and “The All-American Slurp” sends an ironic message about when different countries collide.
Evaluation: I really enjoyed reading this book. I have read a lot of other short stories, and these have become some of my favorites. There was a good balance of stories about boys and girls. The language was fairly clean, but the content was not for younger readers.
Other Comments: Reading this book has made me want to find other collections of young adult short stories. Before now, I did not think they even existed. Utilizing such stories in the classroom would help students familiarize themselves with and come to appreciate this great genre.
Currently reading
February 15, 2010A review of Visions, All American Slurp, By Lensey Namioka
All American Slurp, by Lensey Namioka is a comedy- fiction story which tells a story of a Chinese Lin family and their good friend, Gleasons family.
The Lins family is invited to dinner, first time in America to the Gleasons. They have just moved from China. When they were served selery, they weren't used to raw selery and didn't know how to eat it and was very embarraced. They had alot of happenings but the friendship between the daughter of the Lins and Meg, the daughter of the Gleasons didn't break.
The Lins family also invite the Gleasons to their home for dinner, but notice that the Gleasons family didn't know how to eat Chinese food aswell. This book has a moral, Don't try to be perfect at the first time, everyone makes mistakes.
A review of On The Bridge, By Todd Strasser
On the Bridge by Todd Strasser is a rough fiction story of two boys, Adam Lockwood and Seth Dawson. Adam is a very bad boy, (gang) and likes to inhale drugs. Seth doesn't like drugs, but tries to be with Adam, to look cool.
One day, the two boys were caught dropping ciggarett on a car. 3 big men came out of the car and surrownded them. Even though it was Adam who did it, Adam pointed at Seth when they asked who did it. Seth was surprised, because he tried not to point at Adam. Seth was beaten up, and was forced to lick off the ciggarett from the car until it was clean. From then, Seth couldn't believe Adam when he said he tried to help.
I think it was a good story of friendship until the end. I think Seth should've trusted Adam because until the end, Seth wanted to be with him.
All American Slurp, by Lensey Namioka is a comedy- fiction story which tells a story of a Chinese Lin family and their good friend, Gleasons family.
The Lins family is invited to dinner, first time in America to the Gleasons. They have just moved from China. When they were served selery, they weren't used to raw selery and didn't know how to eat it and was very embarraced. They had alot of happenings but the friendship between the daughter of the Lins and Meg, the daughter of the Gleasons didn't break.
The Lins family also invite the Gleasons to their home for dinner, but notice that the Gleasons family didn't know how to eat Chinese food aswell. This book has a moral, Don't try to be perfect at the first time, everyone makes mistakes.
A review of On The Bridge, By Todd Strasser
On the Bridge by Todd Strasser is a rough fiction story of two boys, Adam Lockwood and Seth Dawson. Adam is a very bad boy, (gang) and likes to inhale drugs. Seth doesn't like drugs, but tries to be with Adam, to look cool.
One day, the two boys were caught dropping ciggarett on a car. 3 big men came out of the car and surrownded them. Even though it was Adam who did it, Adam pointed at Seth when they asked who did it. Seth was surprised, because he tried not to point at Adam. Seth was beaten up, and was forced to lick off the ciggarett from the car until it was clean. From then, Seth couldn't believe Adam when he said he tried to help.
I think it was a good story of friendship until the end. I think Seth should've trusted Adam because until the end, Seth wanted to be with him.
Currently reading
February 11, 2010ALL AMERICAN SLURP BOOK REVIEW
All American Slurp is a great story about how a family moves to a different country and do very strang things.
The main charecters of this story are Ms.Lin, Mr.Lin, the main charecters brother, the main charecter, Meg, and the Gleasons. The settings in this book are a fancy dinning resturant the Gleasons house. The theme of this story is to always be who you are NOT who other people want you to be.
This story is very funny and i would recomend it for a funny a short story for anybody.
All American Slurp is a great story about how a family moves to a different country and do very strang things.
The main charecters of this story are Ms.Lin, Mr.Lin, the main charecters brother, the main charecter, Meg, and the Gleasons. The settings in this book are a fancy dinning resturant the Gleasons house. The theme of this story is to always be who you are NOT who other people want you to be.
This story is very funny and i would recomend it for a funny a short story for anybody.
May 30, 2015
I read this book a long time ago - about 20 years ago. It's a collection of science fiction/fantasy young adult short stories. I lost it, but I started searching for another copy a while ago, though my search was hindered by the fact that I couldn't remember story titles or authors. However, I finally found it and am so delighted. Needless to say, a compilation of short stories that managed to leave that strong an impression on me over the years is a good one.
December 29, 2009
I’m not a fan of sci-fi or fantasy but there were Richard Peck’s “Shadows” was really lovely and sad. You think that this girl is haunted by a ghost but it turns out what she sees is a boy hiding in her house is the son of one of the aunts caring for the narrator. It’s all classic Peck and filled with irony.
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November 29, 2008Im am on the 5th story within this book and so far it is a great book of many different tales. This tales are all something one can relate to, so i am enjoying it so far.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews