What do you think?
Rate this book
Jupiter Glazer
Truth and Dare: 20 Tales of Heartbreak and Happiness
Truth & Dare is a collection of short stories confirming the truth we all know-- high school is painful--and written for those who dare to be different. These edgy short stories are told from the point of view of the quirky, cool, but not necessarily popular teens, who are dealing with all the pressures of growing up--school, friends, music, relationships, parents, and just plain fitting in. This collection features some of the hottest writers in the teen genre, Jennifer Boylan, Sarah Rees Brennan, Cecil Castellucci, Emma Donoghue, Courtney Gillette, A.M. Homes, Jennifer Hubbard, Heidi R. Kling, Jennifer Knight, Michael Lowenthal, Liz Miles, Saundra Mitchell, Luisa Plaja, Matthue Roth, Sherry Shahan, Gary Soto, Shelley Stoehr, Sara Wilkinson, Ellen Wittlinger, and Jill Wolfson.
384 pages, Paperback
First published April 26, 2011
8 people are currently reading
602 people want to read
About the author
Liz Miles
256 books6 followersLiz Miles is a writer and editor of books for young adults, teens and children. Her work has been sold around the world.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 6, 2011
Once again, I love reading anthologies so I can get a taste of authors I’m unfamiliar with and read some additional writings from those I already love. This book has a lot of variations through the storytelling. Sarah Rees Brennan’s tale “The Young Stalker’s Handbook” was quick, cute, and funny. “Girl Jesus on the Inbound Subway” by Matthue Roth was one that caught me by surprise; I had no idea that’s where he was heading with his story. Saundra Mitchell, whom I already love from reading Vespertine, had kind of a disturbing story with “The Last Will and Testament of Evan Todd”, but it was done in a very intriguing kind of way. Other stories run the gamut from writing in Tweet form, to crying, to laughing, to loving, and even chocolate brains. Yep, chocolate brains. There is something that everyone can find to love in a book like this.
Reviewed by Jessica for Book Sake. http://booksake.blogspot.com
Reviewed by Jessica for Book Sake. http://booksake.blogspot.com
September 15, 2011
One thing I enjoyed about this book is the variety in it. There is all sorts of love and heart ache in it. Lots of strong characters becoming weak. And weak characters becoming strong. Some stories made me angry while others made me happy. I loved the writing flow of the stories. I also wondered if some of the stories in the book would make it into full books. I would love to see more of how the characters progressed.
One thing I didn't really like is that there are some stories that are really graphic. I would recommend this book for 18+. Overall, it's a great book with loads of new authors I have not heard of. I look forward to reading more of the new authors work as they have caught my eye!
One thing I didn't really like is that there are some stories that are really graphic. I would recommend this book for 18+. Overall, it's a great book with loads of new authors I have not heard of. I look forward to reading more of the new authors work as they have caught my eye!
September 11, 2018
I found myself getting lost a lot of the time. It was a different kind of book, for sure.
Read
January 2, 2023Read Melted Kisses by Lusia Plaja/Luci Beach.
November 14, 2013
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales.
Quick & Dirty: This was full of love, humor, pain, embarrassing moments, and pretty much anything associated with the game truth & dare. I enjoyed most of the stories, but some were a little boring.
Opening Sentence: You know those intriguing warnings you get before the start of a suspect TV show or movie, such as: “This show contains scenes that some viewers may find disturbing” or “This program contains strong language?”
The Review:
Truth & Dare is filled with short stories written by a handful of authors. The stories cover a range of different topics. Some were really funny and some were filled with disappointment. Growing up can be difficult in life, but it also is a defining part of our life. That is the time where we learn who we want to be, and everything you experience helps to shape you. All the stories being written talk about some of the issues teenagers go through while trying to grow up.
In the first story you learn that not everything is as it appears to you. Sometimes something that seems wonderful and great on the outside is totally different when you start taking away the layers. Another story talks about first love and all the embarrassing moments that come when trying to let someone get to know the real you. In one story a poor girl has to wear headgear to school at the age of 17, and she talks about how it affected her. Another story is about being too shy and not putting yourself out there, and the consequences that can come from it. Another one talks about rejection and that you need to stay true to yourself no matter what others say. There are many other stories and the topics covered were entertaining as well, but these were a few of my favorites.
Overall, I thought that this was a fun easy read. Some of the stories were really entertaining and funny, while others were more serious and heartbreaking. I like that you can sit down for about 10 minutes and finish one of the stories; it is sometimes nice to not have to commit to a big book. While I did really love some of the stories, there were others that I didn’t quite connect as well with. But that is another great thing about an anthology, there is so many different stories that there is bound to be one that you will love. If you are looking for a fun, light read I would recommend picking up Truth & Dare.
Notable Scene:
As if he could hear my psychic berating, he started suddenly up the steps.
I wasn’t expecting this. I was leaning too far over the railing.
I flinched.
The moment stretched out, as if time itself had slowed to savor my unbelievable humiliation. Endless seconds passed as the tray slid from my hands: there was the moment when its weight was still against the sweaty tips of my fingers but it was already irredeemably lost; the moment when the tray was flipping, its red plastic bright in the fluorescent lights, and the moment when I fully realized what was going to happen and felt my stomach turn in a slow churn of horror.
There was the moment when the boy whose name I didn’t know looked up, just before the tray hit. His eyes were wide and bright blue, narrowing. He saw me.
Than the tray hit in an explosion of food and milkshakes.
FTC Advisory: Running Press Kids/The Perseus Books Group provided me with a copy of Truth & Dare: 20 Tales of Heartbreak and Happiness. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: This was full of love, humor, pain, embarrassing moments, and pretty much anything associated with the game truth & dare. I enjoyed most of the stories, but some were a little boring.
Opening Sentence: You know those intriguing warnings you get before the start of a suspect TV show or movie, such as: “This show contains scenes that some viewers may find disturbing” or “This program contains strong language?”
The Review:
Truth & Dare is filled with short stories written by a handful of authors. The stories cover a range of different topics. Some were really funny and some were filled with disappointment. Growing up can be difficult in life, but it also is a defining part of our life. That is the time where we learn who we want to be, and everything you experience helps to shape you. All the stories being written talk about some of the issues teenagers go through while trying to grow up.
In the first story you learn that not everything is as it appears to you. Sometimes something that seems wonderful and great on the outside is totally different when you start taking away the layers. Another story talks about first love and all the embarrassing moments that come when trying to let someone get to know the real you. In one story a poor girl has to wear headgear to school at the age of 17, and she talks about how it affected her. Another story is about being too shy and not putting yourself out there, and the consequences that can come from it. Another one talks about rejection and that you need to stay true to yourself no matter what others say. There are many other stories and the topics covered were entertaining as well, but these were a few of my favorites.
Overall, I thought that this was a fun easy read. Some of the stories were really entertaining and funny, while others were more serious and heartbreaking. I like that you can sit down for about 10 minutes and finish one of the stories; it is sometimes nice to not have to commit to a big book. While I did really love some of the stories, there were others that I didn’t quite connect as well with. But that is another great thing about an anthology, there is so many different stories that there is bound to be one that you will love. If you are looking for a fun, light read I would recommend picking up Truth & Dare.
Notable Scene:
As if he could hear my psychic berating, he started suddenly up the steps.
I wasn’t expecting this. I was leaning too far over the railing.
I flinched.
The moment stretched out, as if time itself had slowed to savor my unbelievable humiliation. Endless seconds passed as the tray slid from my hands: there was the moment when its weight was still against the sweaty tips of my fingers but it was already irredeemably lost; the moment when the tray was flipping, its red plastic bright in the fluorescent lights, and the moment when I fully realized what was going to happen and felt my stomach turn in a slow churn of horror.
There was the moment when the boy whose name I didn’t know looked up, just before the tray hit. His eyes were wide and bright blue, narrowing. He saw me.
Than the tray hit in an explosion of food and milkshakes.
FTC Advisory: Running Press Kids/The Perseus Books Group provided me with a copy of Truth & Dare: 20 Tales of Heartbreak and Happiness. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
June 28, 2011
Truth & Dare is an anthology of stories from some of the biggest names in YA that made me laugh, stare blankly in shock and pulled at my heart strings. But as there were twenty of them, I’m going to highlight my three favourites.
Sarah Rees Brennan moves away from fantasy for what I think may be the first time in The Young Stalker’s Handbook. This story is pure fun and perhaps the funniest in the collection. Now, if you’ve been a teenage girl, you’ll have done some boy stalking (I hope, or I’m not going to sound great here!), but I bet it’s never been done like this before! Rachel and Sam’s methods, though far from normal, are undeniably effective...
Next we have an authors who always delivers a fun, heart-warming and beautifully written story: Luisa Plaja. Cool Cats and Melted Kisses is one of the more seemingly light-hearted stories of the collection, but underneath lies issues such as parents separating and bullying. But there not in your face, they are the subtle undertones that lie in most teens lives. And then on a less serious note, there’s the gorgeous Andy. He’s the kind of guy that causes jelloid knees and he was perfect for Ellie who I could easily read a whole novel about.
Finally, I want to flag up Jennifer Finley Boylan’s story. For me, Nude Descending a Staircase was the story that had the most effect on me. It’s deeply affecting, shocking and truly scary. I don't even want to give a brief summary of the story as I think that will ruin its impact, just read it. It’s a seriously powerful piece of storytelling.
Some others that I really enjoyed are Courtney Gillette’s Never Have I Ever, Headgear Girl by Heidi R. Kling and Sara Wilkinson’s Pencils.
Truth & Dare is an anthology that is essential reading for every teenager because everyone is going to find something in there for them.
Sarah Rees Brennan moves away from fantasy for what I think may be the first time in The Young Stalker’s Handbook. This story is pure fun and perhaps the funniest in the collection. Now, if you’ve been a teenage girl, you’ll have done some boy stalking (I hope, or I’m not going to sound great here!), but I bet it’s never been done like this before! Rachel and Sam’s methods, though far from normal, are undeniably effective...
Next we have an authors who always delivers a fun, heart-warming and beautifully written story: Luisa Plaja. Cool Cats and Melted Kisses is one of the more seemingly light-hearted stories of the collection, but underneath lies issues such as parents separating and bullying. But there not in your face, they are the subtle undertones that lie in most teens lives. And then on a less serious note, there’s the gorgeous Andy. He’s the kind of guy that causes jelloid knees and he was perfect for Ellie who I could easily read a whole novel about.
Finally, I want to flag up Jennifer Finley Boylan’s story. For me, Nude Descending a Staircase was the story that had the most effect on me. It’s deeply affecting, shocking and truly scary. I don't even want to give a brief summary of the story as I think that will ruin its impact, just read it. It’s a seriously powerful piece of storytelling.
Some others that I really enjoyed are Courtney Gillette’s Never Have I Ever, Headgear Girl by Heidi R. Kling and Sara Wilkinson’s Pencils.
Truth & Dare is an anthology that is essential reading for every teenager because everyone is going to find something in there for them.
May 28, 2011
It has been a long time since I’ve read any short stories so when I got the opportunity to read this anthology of edgy YA stories I couldn’t say no. There are a few authors involved that I was already familiar with but most of the names were new to me. There is certainly a range of stories, though with very few exceptions the protagonists are female and most of the stories deal with heterosexual relationships. There are funny stories, sweet and touching stories and stories with a cautionary tale.
The one thing that you always have to remember with any anthology is that you are unlikely to love every story and I have to say that was definitely the case with this book. There were some stories that I just felt I didn’t get and I ended up feeling a bit confused when I got to the end of them. There were also a few that were very good stories but I didn’t particularly enjoy them, for example Sherry Shahan’s “Iris and Jim”.
There were plenty of stories I liked and some that I downright loved, special mentions must go (in no order but the one they’re printed in) to “Never Have I Ever” by Courtney Gillette, “Abstinence Makes The Heart Grow Fonder” by Jennifer Knight, “Cool Cats and Melted Kisses” by Luisa Plaja and “Team Men” by Emma Donoghue. These four were my absolute favourites, but they’re all so different that I couldn’t possibly pick one overall favourite.
I enjoyed reading this anthology but for me there was probably a fairly even split between the stories that I enjoyed and the ones I didn’t care so much for. I think that the range of stories included in the book means that pretty much anybody will find stories to love, and I’m sure many readers will read and reread this book time and again.
The one thing that you always have to remember with any anthology is that you are unlikely to love every story and I have to say that was definitely the case with this book. There were some stories that I just felt I didn’t get and I ended up feeling a bit confused when I got to the end of them. There were also a few that were very good stories but I didn’t particularly enjoy them, for example Sherry Shahan’s “Iris and Jim”.
There were plenty of stories I liked and some that I downright loved, special mentions must go (in no order but the one they’re printed in) to “Never Have I Ever” by Courtney Gillette, “Abstinence Makes The Heart Grow Fonder” by Jennifer Knight, “Cool Cats and Melted Kisses” by Luisa Plaja and “Team Men” by Emma Donoghue. These four were my absolute favourites, but they’re all so different that I couldn’t possibly pick one overall favourite.
I enjoyed reading this anthology but for me there was probably a fairly even split between the stories that I enjoyed and the ones I didn’t care so much for. I think that the range of stories included in the book means that pretty much anybody will find stories to love, and I’m sure many readers will read and reread this book time and again.
March 20, 2016
This book was lame! I didn't even read all the stories because I read at least seven if not more and I wasn't amazed by any of them so far. So I refuse to continue on with this book. Usually by now in an anthology like this I would have read one or two decent stories, but these all just didn't catch my interest. A stalker girl? Really? If she gets into an actual relationship with this guy she's gonna be nosy checking his texts and emails. She'll also probably follow him to work to see if he's hooking up on the job. Then the one story about the couple who was supposed to gain a massive amount of wait seemed too much like a dystopian society setting. I thought this story was about real heartbreak and happiness not some weight gaining bullshit. If anything society would try and make you be freaking anorexic. I rest my case.
May 27, 2011
This compilation of daring stories by some of today's hottest YA authors pulls off some of the greatest shockers I've read in stories for teens: rape, murder, armed robbery, and sexuality, to name a few.
The best part is that none of those felt gratuitous in any of the stories, and instead they resonated with authentic voices and believable situations.
A few highlights:
The humor of Sarah Rees Brennan and Luisa Plaja
The surprise twists of Matthue Roth and Sara Wilkinson
The raw emotion of Shelley Stoehr and Jennifer Knight
For me, this compilation of 20 stories was a success--both so that readers can get another taste of the work from authors they already know, as well as discover new favorites.
I hope there will be more books like this to come!
The best part is that none of those felt gratuitous in any of the stories, and instead they resonated with authentic voices and believable situations.
A few highlights:
The humor of Sarah Rees Brennan and Luisa Plaja
The surprise twists of Matthue Roth and Sara Wilkinson
The raw emotion of Shelley Stoehr and Jennifer Knight
For me, this compilation of 20 stories was a success--both so that readers can get another taste of the work from authors they already know, as well as discover new favorites.
I hope there will be more books like this to come!
March 27, 2012
I gave this 3 out of 5 stars because for me, it was hit or miss with the stories. All of the stories use "touchy" subject matter, such as sexuality, profanity, rape, etc. Some of the stories were quite good, but most felt like chapters out of a book where I was missing the rest of the story. And the rest of the story seemed necessary to fully comprehend the brief glimpse the given short story was providing. At times comical, at times heartbreaking, these stories covered a vast array of topics & emotions. If you like contemporary, you should give it a go as there are likely some stories you will enjoy. However, if you're not a fan of contemporary, then I would recommend steering clear of this one.
March 17, 2011
One of the things I enjoy about reading collections such as this is that it introduces me into a bunch of phenomenal new (to me at least!) authors and this collection did not disappoint!
In the over twenty stories included in this book I met edgy, raw characters, characters who were funny and sad and frightening characters who made me laugh, cry and cringe in both shared humiliation and horror. The writing was fresh and compact, delivering stories of surprising depth given their brevity.
Read the full review here.
In the over twenty stories included in this book I met edgy, raw characters, characters who were funny and sad and frightening characters who made me laugh, cry and cringe in both shared humiliation and horror. The writing was fresh and compact, delivering stories of surprising depth given their brevity.
Read the full review here.
August 9, 2012
Four and a half stars, really. some great queer, especially lesbian, short fiction; some great Fat fiction; some great short stories any way you look at them. Sara Wilkinson's "Pencils" really knocked my socks off; "The Last Will & Testament of Evan Todd" was also fantastic. Really, a great collection of short YA. I think it's quite hard to write a GOOD YA short story; something about the genre and the form together is especially tricky. Most of the writers in this anthology manage to make it work quite wonderfully.
January 19, 2013
I was only able to read the first ten stories because my loan expired before I could finish the book. A few were outstanding (Matthew Roth's "Girl Jesus on the Inbound Subway," Saundra Mitchell's "The Last Will and Testament of Evan Todd," Sherry Shahan's "Iris and Jim," Michael Lowenthal's "Lost in Translation"), a couple were pretty good, and the others were meh. I will probably pick the book up again and finish it eventually, but just in case I don't, here's a preliminary rating. You're welcome.
April 19, 2011
In the over twenty stories included in this book I met edgy, raw characters, characters who were funny and sad and frightening characters who made me laugh, cry and cringe in both shared humiliation and horror. The writing was fresh and compact, delivering stories of surprising depth given their brevity.
Read my full review here.
Read my full review here.
May 23, 2011
I found the majority of the stories in this book very good, and I was pleased by the diversity of it. Several stories were expertly done and hit home. There was one that I found a bit too heavy-handed and predjudiced to appeal to many young-adults. There were one or two stories that I felt tried to hard to write in the way a fourteen-year-old would, while forgetting the fact that in general a fourteen-year-old's writing is not very good.
November 12, 2012
2.5 stars
This is rated only for Sarah Rees Brennan's piece, The Young Stalker's Handbook, which is also the only story I read. Some of the other stories, esp. Saundra Mitchell's, did indeed look intriguing, but I was pressed for time and so just read Sarah's, as that was the reason I had picked up the anthology.
As such, it is just a cute, brief story, but as always she manages to imbue character and life with just a few brief interactions between her cast.
This is rated only for Sarah Rees Brennan's piece, The Young Stalker's Handbook, which is also the only story I read. Some of the other stories, esp. Saundra Mitchell's, did indeed look intriguing, but I was pressed for time and so just read Sarah's, as that was the reason I had picked up the anthology.
As such, it is just a cute, brief story, but as always she manages to imbue character and life with just a few brief interactions between her cast.
May 4, 2011
We are giving away an ARC here http://fireandicephoto.blogspot.com/2... ends May 3, 2011
January 30, 2016
Check out the post where I touch on a few of the stories in this anthology:
http://www.consumedbybooks.com/2016/0...
http://www.consumedbybooks.com/2016/0...
September 10, 2016
A mixed bag of short stories. Some really haunting. Some really meh. Overall a nice read!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews