I Believe in Water: Twelve Brushes with Religion

by Marilyn Singer (Editor), Gregory Maguire, Naomi Shihab Nye

An anthology of stories for teenagers explores the topics of religion, belief, and spirituality by award-winning authors, including M. E. Kerr, Kyoko Mori, Jacqueline Woodson, and Virginia Euwer Wolff.

Genres: Short Stories, Religion, Young Adult

280 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2000

About the author

Marilyn Singer was born in the Bronx (New York City) on October 3, 1948 and lived most of her early life in N. Massapequa (Long Island), NY. She attended Queens College, City University of New York, and for her junior year, Reading University, England. She holds a B.A. in English from Queens and an M.A. in Communications from New York University.

In 1974, after teaching English in New York City high schools for several years, she began to write - initially film notes, catalogues, teacher's guides and film strips. Then, one day, when she was sitting in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, she penned a story featuring talking insect characters she'd made up when she was eight. Encouraged by the responses she got, she wrote more stories and in 1976 her first book, The Dog Who Insisted He Wasn't, was published by E.P.Dutton & Co.

Since then, Marilyn has published over seventy books for children and young adults. Her genres are many and varied, including realistic novels, fantasies, non-fiction, fairy tales, picture books, mysteries and poetry. She likes writing many different kinds of books because it's challenging and it keeps her from getting bored. She has won several Children's Choice and Parents' Choice Awards, as well as the following: the Creature Carnival, Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award Honor Book, 2005; I Believe in Water: Twelve Brushes with Religion, New York Public Library's "Best Books for the Teen Age," 2001; Stay True: Short Stories for Strong Girls, Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults, 2000 (YALSA); On the Same Day in March, Booklist's Top Ten Science Books of 2000; NCSS-CBC Notable Book, 2000; Deal with a Ghost, finalist, YA category, Edgar Award, 1998; It Can't Hurt Forever, Maud Hart Lovelace Award, 1983; The Course of True Love Never Did Run Smooth, ALA Best Book for Young Adults, 1983; Turtle in July, NCTE Notable, N.Y.Times Best Illustrated and Time Magazine Best Children's Books of 1989; Turtle in July was also a Reading Rainbow review book.

Marilyn currently lives in Brooklyn, NY, with her husband Steve; their standard poodle Oggi, a cousin of their beloved and recently departed poodle Easy, seen in the home page photo; a cat named August ; two collared doves named Jubilee and Holiday; and a starling named Darling. Her interests include dog training, reading, hiking, bird-watching, gardening, meditation, playing computer adventure games and going to the movies and the theatre. She's also a major Star Trek fan.

Reviews

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection from various young adult writers edited by Marilyn Singer focusing on beliefs and religion and spirituality.
My favorite is a piece called, "What is the Dickens?" written by Naomi Shihab Nye. She says, "Be Nice. That's my religion."
Released in 2000.

[Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Believe in Water draws its name from one of its many stories, all of which center around faith and self-identity. In twelve riveting and touching stories about what it means to be religious, spiritual, or to have achieved a sense of self-nirvana, I found myself reeling from the themes that had been quietly yet blindingly laid open for me to see.

No matter where you come from, you will be able to relate to at least one story in any way. That's what I loved about it. I felt the characters' emotions and thoughts as clearly as my own, which made it easier for me to empathize with them.

Each author has their own unique writing style, but I found that the one most effective and common thing that they did was that they managed to show the characters' inner conflict through the story itself and not through telling us in straightforward sentences. The usage of figurative and symbolic language is abundant, but not so plentiful as to ward the reader off or to make them roll their eyes. Individually, maybe some of the stories could have been just alright, but together, they make a person's gears click and inspire one to wonder about their own spiritualities and what it means to be themselves

.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I Believe in Water" is a collection of diverse short stories. Each story written by a different YA author contains a different, unattached message. The main idea, however, is exploring different cultures, religions, life experiences, etc. Humorous, thought-provoking, intriguing, and sometimes shocking, this complilation of short stories allows one to think outside the context of his/her own cultural setting and beliefs.

I really enjoyed this book. As someone who was raised in a very religious family, but eventually turned to exploring different beliefs and philosophies, I really appreciated the multiple perspectives. All the stories were very intruiging, and after each one, I had to just stop and think for a little bit, which I think attests to the books ability to provoke thought. I think this would be a great book for adolescents (or anyone, really), in that it can offer new perspectives and shed light on different types of beliefs, cultures, philosophies, and experiences. Some of the uncertainty in the book is very relateable to many people, I would think, because sometimes, all we can really say for certain is: "I believe in ... water."

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection is a beautiful acculumation of diverse, thoughtful voices adding to an ever-present discussion, especially in adolesence. Or as Jacqueline Woodson says reflecting on her short story, and religious experiences in her youth as being "part of my young adult world that remains with me - tender and complex as adolesence itself."

From the charming and humorous, to serious and somber, this collection has something for every reader, as the dedication says, "To those who doubt, and those who don't." Despite picking this up for Jacqueline Woodson's piece, I found myself (as much as I loved hers too!) drawn to Virginia Euwer Wolff's, "Religion: From the Greek Re Legios, To Re-Link." She tells the story of 3 young women, all who fall in love, get pregnant (some with consual sex, others pressured despite saying no), one Deborah who is Christian, Zhandra who is Buddhist, and Riva who is Muslim. "God forgives those who truly repent. But human beings are not so forgiving" (67).

[Robyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Purchased this book as gift for my cousin-in-law's Bar Mitzvah. It sounded so interesting I picked up a copy from the library for myself.

UPDATE: Well the gift was given before I had the chance to finish reading. The receiver (and his mom for that matter) was very interested in the book so I was pleased with my choice. That being the case, I lost my motivation to continue reading. Plus my library copy was due so I didn't both finished. I read 3.5 stories and they were alright. Would have been cool if they had discussion guides at the end.

[Ania · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection of short stories for teens and young adults focuses on various faith: Jehovah's Witnesses, Christians, Buddhists, Muslims; and teenage issues like pregnancy, family relationships, coming of age. I believe this book appeals to many readers because everyone can find something interesting and ponder upon some more philosophical questions. Most of contributing writers are well known for their novels for teens and adults and this guarantees great writing.
I would recommend this book to teens as a supporting material while studying religions and philosophy.

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautiful book. The line 'you think G-d has *boobs*?' 'you think She has a *wanker*?' made me laugh so hard I got several frightened looks. But yeah, this book goes through three girls finding out they're pregnant, going through pregnancy and giving birth, a n odd boy who insists on calling G-d a 'She', a girl who believes in water, and other stories.

[Sherrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of the stories in this collection are good. Then there are a couple that are excellent! I think my favorite one was Esu's Island. All of the stories gave a unique view to a variety of religions which I found interesting.

[Rebecca Millerjohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book of short stories by some of the best teen authors of teens struggling, embracing, and figuring out their lives with and some times in spite of their religions. Very powerful and empowering for any teen with questions or who wants to explore this topic.

[Smdc · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book of short stories about various teenager's brush with some type of religion...

Ehhh.... it's something to read...

[Cory · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thematic short stories that, overall, bored me. It's not like there was anything wrong with them, I just wasn't very interested.

[Kazia · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was parts that to individual stories I found interesting (eg. Esu's Island), even plesantly comical (eg. The Martyrdom of Monica MacAllister) but as an entirety, I didn't like it.

[Josh Kienzle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is filled with great, inspiring short stories. You'll enjoy it.