Written in the Stars

by Lois Duncan

From the master of thrillers and the supernatural comes a collection of thirteen short stories that have never been published before in book form. Written in the Stars contains Lois Duncan's earliest stories--one published at the age of thirteen--from the tale of a young soldier suffering from PTSD, to a group of children (humorously) tormenting their temporary guardian. This unique collection--far from the suspense novels Duncan later became noted for--contains stories that originally appeared in magazines such as Seventeen and American Girl.  They are a marvelous portrait of the depth and breadth of Duncan's work, covering topics such as the war in Korea, sibling relationships, and the joy and pain of first love. As a special bonus, Lois has followed each story with a brief essay describing her work and life at the time the story was written. Written in the Stars is a must-have addition to the library of work from this spectacular and groundbreaking young adult author.

Lois Duncan is the author of over fifty books, ranging from children's picture books to poetry to adult nonfiction, but is best known for her young adult suspense novels, such as Stranger With My Face and I Know What You Did Last Summer . She has been awarded the Margaret A. Edwards Award, presented by the  School Library Journal and the ALA Young Adult Library Services Association for "a distinguished body of adolescent literature." In 2009 she received the Katharine Drexel Award, awarded by the Catholic Library Association "to recognize an outstanding contribution by an individual to the growth of high school and young adult librarianship and literature."

Genres: Short Stories, Young Adult, Fiction, Writing

228 pages, Hardcover

First published March 17, 2014

About the author

Lois Duncan (born Lois Duncan Steinmetz) was an American writer and novelist, known primarily for her books for children and young adults, in particular (and some times controversially considering her young readership) crime thrillers. Duncan's parents were the noted magazine photographers Lois Steinmetz and Joseph Janney Steinmetz. She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but grew up in Sarasota, Florida. Duncan started writing and submitting manuscripts to magazines at the age of ten, and when she was thirteen succeeded in selling her first story.

Duncan attended Duke University from 1952 to 1953 but dropped out, married, and started a family. During this time, she continued to write and publish magazine articles; over the course of her career, she has published more than 300 articles, in magazines such as Ladies' Home Journal, Redbook, McCall's, Good Housekeeping, and Reader's Digest. After her first marriage, which produced three children, ended in divorce, Duncan moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, to teach journalism at the University of New Mexico, where she also earned a BA in English in 1977. In 1965 she married Don Arquette, and had two more children with him.

Duncan was best known for her novels of suspense for teenagers. Some of her works have been adapted for the screen, the most famous example being the 1997 film I Know What You Did Last Summer, adapted from her novel of the same title. Other made-for-TV movies include Stranger with My Face, Killing Mr. Griffin, Don't Look Behind You, Summer of Fear and Gallows Hill.

In 1989 the youngest of Duncan's children, Kaitlyn Arquette, was murdered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, under suspicious circumstances. Who Killed My Daughter? relates the facts and conjecture about the still unsolved case.

Duncan's second book about her daughter's murder, ONE TO THE WOLVES: ON THE TRAIL OF A KILLER, picks up where the first book leaves off and contains all the new information Kait's family has uncovered from private investigation.

The 1971 children's book Hotel for Dogs was released as a theatrical movie in 2009, starring Emma Roberts. That book has now been republished by Scholastic along with two sequels, News for Dogs (2009) and Movie for Dogs (2010).

Duncan's Gothic suspense novel, DOWN A DARK HALL, is being filmed for the Big Screen and will probably be released in 2016.


Follow Lois on Twitter: http://twitter.com/duncanauthor
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?i...
http://www.kaitarquette.arquettes.com

Reviews

[Jennifer Gibbons · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a collection of stories written by thriller/YA writer Lois Duncan in her teens and twenties. They're all set in the forties/fifties, which means they are a bit dated (pin curls! telegrams! nylons!) however some are timeless: breaking up with your first love. Feeling jealous when your older sister "gets" all the attention. Deciding to be beautiful rather than feeling plain. The last story is written from a teenage girl's bedroom's point of view is wistful and incredibly poignant. A wonderful peek into the beginnings of a wonderful writing career.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lois Duncan was one of my favorite writers during childhood. Her novels were so well written and her characters so real. This collection of short stories written by her as a teenager is no different- they are sweet and bittersweet products of their time .They made me ache for the world we used to live in and at the same time marvel at her ability to understand people so well at such a young age. Lovely work.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure how this made it onto my to-read list, but it was OK. I guess it would be useful in a high school classroom, but overall the collection was pretty sappy and I didn't feel like the author notes added a *ton* of insight to either social context or writerly craft. It was certainly pleasant, and I'd recommend it as a brain break, a sorbet between courses of high intensity realism.

[Leandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.75/5
Eventually I'm going to learn that an author's early stories coming out later typically means they weren't as good as what they became known for. Her future works were far superior.

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A-MAZ-ING! That is all I can say about this book. I am not a fan of the short story. In fact, they tend to drive me nuts. I can count on one hand the number of authors that I will read their short stories. This book was excellent on many fronts. First, to see the early writings of a woman who technically be called a prodigy in her writing abilities. Second, I loved the background information to what was occurring in the author's life, awards, etc. regarding each story. Third, the quality of the writings, even those while the author was a young teen. Fourth, how the author incorporated social norms into her writings.

If I had one criticism of the book, I would like to have see the stories be done in LD's chronologial age so that readers could "watch" how her writing capabilities grew.

I love when I able to pull a book off my library's shelf and it sucks me in. I have recommended this book to so many people at this time. It was just one of those unexpected, cool reads.

[CaliNativeBalboa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a huge fan of Lois Duncan's more contemporary children's and young adult fiction. Gift of Magic is one of my all time favorite books and Hotel and News for Dogs are masterful as well. Duncan does not treat her young readers like babies so her books are articulate and challenging.
That being said, I'm not sure how well Written in the Stars will be received by modern teens. Many of the stories are set in the 40's, 50's and 60's, much more innocent times. But the themes of first and unrequited love are timeless. Also, may were written when Duncan herself was just a young teen and tween.
Written in the Stars took me back to the classic teen novels that populated the shelves of my middle school library, including authors such as Betty Cavanna, and Beverly Butler. Good, solid, compelling and well written stories, which are sometimes a rarity in YA fiction.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

These short stories are obviously dated. Girls have more options after high school than wife, mother, teacher or secretary. There is no military draft causing young kids to rush into marriage before the guy is shipped overseas. On the other hand, every story resonated with my adolescence. Times may have changed but the basic feelings in relationships have not. I really enjoyed reading these short stories, glimpsing a different era and yet understanding the feelings and purpose presented in each situation. It made me nostalgic for a time we all say was better and easier, and yet it made me appreciate the freedom I have now.

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of short stories, written by Lois Duncan in her teens and early 20s. God damn, she was so good so early. Great variety of stories, some malt shop, many with emotions teens can relate to today, and great notes about their genesis from her now. I'm really tempted to buy this one, and I rarely buy anything these days.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked these stories. Yes, they are dated, but Lois Duncan writes so sensitively about families and feelings and relationships. I especially loved the stories about brothers and sisters. She really captured the essence of the sibling relationship - they drive you crazy but you can't imagine your life without them. I can't believe how young she was when she wrote some of these!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a joy it was to introduce my students to the novels of Lois Duncan. Written in the Stars showcases stories she wrote as an adolescent. This book could be used as inspiration for young writers. Duncan writes what she knows and feels. Her stories become time capsules. Even though technology and family life have changed, the feelings, thoughts, and questions raised are timeless.

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of short stories was really sweet. It wasn't at all what I was expecting, after knowing Lois Duncan only for her suspense novels. But each story was cute and fun to read, if a bit outdated.

[Meg Mirza]

reviewed for SLJ

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a fan for too long to review this collection objectively.
I loved the background about each of the stories, and wished there had been more to them.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stories by Lois Duncan from her teens and early twenties - dated, from a more innocent era - but worth reading. I "slice of life" for a young adult in the WWII era.

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

A weirdly fascinating text examining the processes of the writer in her young adulthood