Every Man for Himself: Ten Original Stories About Being a Guy

by Nancy E. Mercado (Editor), Walter Dean Myers, René Saldaña Jr.

Word on the street is that being a guy these days can be kinda rough. Well, here are ten fictional stories, some funny, some sad, that deal with that very subject. Stories about being a guy, written by guys. From Walter Dean Myers’s story about a black kid who takes a white girl to the prom, to Mo Willems’s comedy about an invincible kid who goes to a high school for superheroes, to graphic novelist Craig Thompson’s story about the skaters vs. the wussy football players, each manages to ever-so-subtly reflect the modern-day concerns of guyhood.

Gathering together some of the most exciting writers of today and tomorrow, Every Man for Himself offers teen readers a great selection of honest and real stories about everyday guys who get pummeled by some life lessons . . . and still manage to come out on top.

Genres: Young Adult, Short Stories, Anthologies, Fiction, Realistic Fiction

176 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Poet, writer, educator, and activist Nancy E. Mercado is the author of It Concerns the Madness (2000) and editor of the children’s anthology if the world were mine (2003). She earned a BA from Rutgers University, an MA from New York University, and a PhD in English from SUNY-Binghamton. Latino Leaders Magazine hailed Mercado as “one of the most celebrated members of the Puerto Rican literary movement in the Big Apple.”

Reviews

[Eli · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall, it was okay. I didn't read all of the stories.

I kind of liked the stories by Walter Dean Myers and Craig Thompson. They were slightly interesting. Good move putting a short graphic story in there to mix it up (Craig Thompson).

I really liked the story by David Lubar. The main character was appealing more so than the characters of other stories.

Now, David Levithan. I would like to mention that David Levithan is the only reason I even picked up this tiny anthology. I wanted to get a feel for his writing before I moved on to his larger works. This story transcended the anthology, in my opinion. It faced more than what the other stories covered. Some of the stories were about ten pages of a five minute moment, which I didn't care for. I don't want to say anything about it and spoil anything, but I loved that story. It ended perfectly. It was fuller than any other story in the anthology. I would have rated that by itself as at the very least four stars.

Too bad it lacked overall. I wouldn't read it again.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stars: 4.5/5

Overall
I really enjoyed these stories, which came from a variety of authors, most of whom I wasn't familiar with. However, while it's subtitled as "Ten Short Stories About Being a Guy," it could just as appropriately be called "Ten Short Stories About Being a Person." Because honestly, how big of a difference is there between guys and gals? Not much (beyond biologicals), since it all breaks down on an individual level. That aside, this was a good collection of stories and I think it'd be great for young "guys" to read, although I'd definitely recommend it to anyone. In answer to the blurb above's question: Being a guy is different for everyone.

Strengths
These stories had a good variation of topics that sometimes touched on heavy subjects but never lingered too long or too heavily and often the heavy subject wasn't the main focus of the story either, which was refreshing. Some of the topics include race issues, sexuality, changing friendships, family roles, and identity/cliques.

The writing was solid through out, and each author took a slightly different voice/approach, with one story presented in the form of a comic. And while each story was individual and different, there was never a jarring switch between stories, either. A good compilation.

Weaknesses
I think my biggest peeve with this book is the idea that men are so different from women that young men/boys need a guide to being a guy. As if they couldn't figure it out themselves. This annoyance is slightly placated by the fact that the stories aren't grossly "This is how you're a Man," and instead show a variety of how to be a man (or, you know, a decent human being). Feels like a sales ploy to me, much like all products "sold" to "men" or "women."

Be sure to check out my other reviews on my blog.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this anthology's theme was executed pretty poorly. Most of the stories weren't about what it means to be a guy so much as stories with male protagonists. And many fell into cliches of masculinity, which baffled me. Isn't the point of something like this to go beyond the cliche of "male being bullied overcomes"? The best story in this is David Levithan's "Princes."

[Jay Miraldi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of these stories I liked a lot and some were just meh, overall it’s a middle book. I will say that the stories were refreshing in that they aren’t really typical coming-of-age stories, they kind of switched up the storylines and went in directions I didn’t always expect them to :)

[Miguel Ramos · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is really good. It has 10 short stories of being a young teenage boy. Different authors wrote the ten different stories which was great to experience because you could see what different men during there young age did or have seen before. These stories are so realistic and sound like if they were in a guys journal writing what has happened to him in his teenage lifetime. One of my most favorite short stories in here was when a black wanted to ask out this tall white girl for prom. He didn't know what she would say or anything but she said yes to him. The guys friends were picking on him about what they were gonna do after the party and that if he was planning to have sex to get protection. His friends take him to the store and get him condoms. The guy had fun with her at prom and went well just as he thought of. They didn't do anything bad because they new what was right for the both of them. Really interesting book, I enjoyed it a lot. I recommend it to my friends, cause they will sure learn some lessons and see what the consequence could be if they ever did anything wrong. So true.

[Jacari Lenoir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ten short stories about being men, wrote by ten authors, just share their test run of being a guy. Each story is just really an every day life of being a guy that gets a few lessons taught but still comes out pretty smooth.
What I liked about the book was that some of the stories were funny, sad or honest. So as you can see there were plenty of emotions flowing through these stories. But of course if your a guy, you could most likely relate. The stories were also realistic and they really made you think. If they would've asked me too put a story in, I would've fit in perfectly.
What I didn't like was.. who came up with putting multiple stories in one book? Just thought that doing a little too much you know?
I recommend this to ALL guys. It'll really make you laugh and think about your own memories. Matter fact, a girl can even read this if she just want to knows what a man thinks about.

[Blake · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up because of Rene Saldana Jr. His short story, “Jump Away,” was impressive. I really enjoyed how Saldana brought to attention the absurdity and ambiguity of male adolescence. The last line brilliantly points out how young guys really don’t think before the act: “Of course it didn’t [change anything], thought Fenny. Why would it?” After reading this short story, I read a few more, one by Craig Thompson, Edward Averett, and a few others. I really liked the thematic approach the anthology took. At first I was bothered that a woman edited this collection, but she did a really good job.

[Alex Sokoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very relatable, and makes a lot of sense. I understand what alot of these guys are talking about. Out of the ten stories in this book, my favorite is the first one. It's about a high school junior who holds a lottery to see who he goes to the prom with. I wouldn't go to those lengths, but it is still very enjoyable.


I give this book 4.5 out of 5 stars for originality and its sense of humor. Even though guys would be the obvious choice to reccomend this book to, I believe there stories that girls can enjoy as well. Check it out.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can I be honest? I really hate these thematic collections of short stories for YAs. They feel oh-so-purposeful and curricular and pandering. I'm also not saying that a woman can't edit an anthology for guys (after all I am reviewing it) but maybe she shouldn't.

I did very much like Craig Thompson's and David Levithan's, which didn't surprise me.

But I would rather read a collection of just some darn good short stories, rather than have some stories forced into a clunky theme.

[Henry Jin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grabbed this book when we went to the library, I flipped through it and got interested in some of the stories out of the ten. I feel like I have a habit of going through every minute of a movie or tv show because i'm afraid of missing out on something that happens. It's the same with books, I am willing to read every page just because I don't want to miss anything. Although I hate when I get bored or want to put the book down because of when they get bored.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Told from the perspectives of teenage boys, the stories in this YA book center on the awkwardness of growing up, falling in love, breaking up, trying to fit in, standing up for yourself, and reconciling changes in yourself and your family. All of the stories in this collection are presented in an honest and realistic fashion and complemented by humorous dialogue and compelling characters.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book that gave me some insight into what it means to be a guy. Something that I am struggling to do as a HS library media specialist. I read the book for help to reach out to guys who don't like reading. This book was interesting. Some will like it, others won't but the collection of short stories really runs the spectrum.

[Kasandra C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this was a really goood intersting book and i would want to rearead it if i had to because it talks about teen guys how they try acting like big guys to impress the girls or try bieng cool guys .They try finding ways to hang with girls and try to show their frinds there not afraid into doing stuff with girls or stuff like that. Good Book To Read'!

[Mohamed Abdelghany · Rating 3 out of 5]

i think the short stories in every man for himself is great. it shows a theme of independence for example jump away he jumped on the count of his 3 not mike's. the book has many short stories and in each of them there is peer pressure but the person usually get over it and does not get pressured. i think people who are followers should read this book

[Theresa Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

A few stories were good; most were mediocre. I'm a huge Mo Willems fan, but I was disappointed in his offering. It might be a good choice for a middle school or high school boy. It's interesting that it includes a graphic short story.

[Kelly Moore]

Stories Read:
The Unbeatable by Mo Willems - This is a superhero story about a guy who is betrayed by the girl he likes. I like superheroes, but the whole thing was so two dimensional, it was pretty boring.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very impressive collection. Humor and issues and fear and triumph. No duds! I picked it up for Walter Dean Myers and David Levithan, but I'll be adding quite a few other names to my To-Take-Notice-Of list (it lives in my brain while I browse libraries) and my to-read list that lives here.

[Phino DeLeon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have no clue what led me to this book, just one of those fate things. I am always looking for something else to expand my exposure to authors I have not read. I found most of the stories good, I didn't find any new author roads to peruse, but it was still an enjoyable excursion.

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short stories for teen boys, contemporary, from Walter Dean Meyers to Ron Koertge. Good on the street everyday struggle kinds of stories.

[flow boy · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is extraordinay.It contains great detail for men such as how to get them. Also it has other great man stories.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a really easy read. I liked that it had ten completely different short stories. I wouldn't read it again though.

Maybe a little *too* young adult.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some funny stories, some touching stories, all good. Just look at the cover!

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many good stories. I like "No More Birds Will Die Today." I also really liked the story about the dancer.

[Vern · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book...some stories are really great...some of our favorites authors are represented...give it a try.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

The themes and concepts behind the stories I understood and loved, though not always the stories themselves. I really enjoyed reading it, though.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice collection of stories--they capture quite a few difficult emotions and situations mostly unique to guys. Quite a few school board members would deem certain stories inappropriate, though.

[Alejandro Mejia · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was a good book

[Rogue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read.

One of the stories near the end was a little boring, but very good for a compilation.

[Ali · Rating 1 out of 5]

it was good.

[Wendi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read about 40 pages and was not impressed at all. There was unnecessary cursing and the stories were boring.