Jane Yolen & Patrick Nielsen Hayden, The Year's Best Science Fiction and Fantasy for Te

The Year's Best Science Fiction and Fantasy for Teens

Edited by Jane Yolen & Patrick Nielsen Hayden

Tor, May 2005, $17.95, 288 pp.

ISBN: 0765313839

Ten of these eleven enjoyable stories targeting young adults (but older readers will appreciate them too) were initially published in varying publications in 2004; one story "They" by Rudyard Kipling is a century old (interesting to historiographic compare to the modern writers). The stories are mostly fantasy and even the few science fiction contributions like "Sergeant Chip" have a fantasy like feel to them. The authors are a who's who of the genres with each providing a strong effort. Settings vary from Grandma's handbag (think Men in Black II) to the New York Forty-Second Street Public Library to a K-9 point of view on war. Some, as is typical of fantasy, use horror elements to enhance the plot. Each tale is well written and the editors provide the titles of other similar stories that teens would most likely enjoy. An honorable mention list adds to the experience of fostering reading amongst young adults. This is a terrific collection for young and old readers.

Harriet Klausner