Places I Never Meant To Be
“Books are our windows on the world.”
Bibliography
Blume, Judy. (1999). Places I Never Meant to Be. New York: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing. ISBN 0689820348. 208p.
Plot Summary
In each of these original stories, teens find themselves coping with real problems and the consequences of real life events - some of which include the death of family members, running away from home, having sex as a teenager, and racial issues in school. Despite the short length of each story, they are packed with drama and intrigue, and the authors speak out at the end of their stories to give the reader more information about their own encounters with censors. Featuring stories by David Mass, the late Norma Klein, Julius Lester, Chris Lynch, Harry Mazer, Norma Fox Mazer, Walter Dean Myers, Katherine Paterson, Susan Beth Pfeffer, Rachel Vail, Jacqueline Woodson, and Paul Zindel, Places I Never Meant To Be is a stunning literary achievement as well as a battle cry against censorship.
Review Excerpts
"Blume, one of the most honored and most censored authors of books for children and young adults, here presents a purposeful anthology of stories by 12 writers, who also have both been honored and come under censorial attack. Blume's impassioned introduction sets the stage by noting some of her own experiences with censorship and her discovery of the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC)."
— Book List
"In putting together this collection, Blume constructs a platform for writers to speak freely and honestly, not only through their fiction but with brief essays on censorship. Few of these stories represent the very best work of the contributors, but their commitment to their audience shines through, and readers will likely be inspired to seek out their other titles."
— Publisher's Weekly
"This collection of contemporary stories by thirteen well-known young adult writers is a good read. Popular themes in young adult literature--family strife, culture clash, sexual tension, coming-of-age--are all explored in perceptive and entertaining vignettes that can be read in one classroom setting. What makes this book special, though, are the authors' perspectives on censorship."
— ALAN Review
"A short, meaningful anticensorship essay by the author follows each story and should be required reading for anyone studying the effects of censorship."
— School Library Journal
"Every story shows teens experiencing life unvarnished, growing up through tragedy and difficulty; the collection is candid, even blunt, in its desire to "tell it like it is.'' Readers will come away with an appreciation for every writer's struggle, and the realization that at one time or another, all of their favorite authors have come into the censor's sights.
— Kirkus Reviews
Additional Resources
Places I Never Meant To Be Reading Group Guide
Introduction from Places I Never Meant To Be by Judy Blume
Places I Never Meant to Be: A Personal View by Judy Blume
Bibliography
Blume, Judy. (1999). Places I Never Meant to Be. New York: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing. ISBN 0689820348. 208p.
Plot Summary
In each of these original stories, teens find themselves coping with real problems and the consequences of real life events - some of which include the death of family members, running away from home, having sex as a teenager, and racial issues in school. Despite the short length of each story, they are packed with drama and intrigue, and the authors speak out at the end of their stories to give the reader more information about their own encounters with censors. Featuring stories by David Mass, the late Norma Klein, Julius Lester, Chris Lynch, Harry Mazer, Norma Fox Mazer, Walter Dean Myers, Katherine Paterson, Susan Beth Pfeffer, Rachel Vail, Jacqueline Woodson, and Paul Zindel, Places I Never Meant To Be is a stunning literary achievement as well as a battle cry against censorship.
Review Excerpts
"Blume, one of the most honored and most censored authors of books for children and young adults, here presents a purposeful anthology of stories by 12 writers, who also have both been honored and come under censorial attack. Blume's impassioned introduction sets the stage by noting some of her own experiences with censorship and her discovery of the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC)."
— Book List
"In putting together this collection, Blume constructs a platform for writers to speak freely and honestly, not only through their fiction but with brief essays on censorship. Few of these stories represent the very best work of the contributors, but their commitment to their audience shines through, and readers will likely be inspired to seek out their other titles."
— Publisher's Weekly
"This collection of contemporary stories by thirteen well-known young adult writers is a good read. Popular themes in young adult literature--family strife, culture clash, sexual tension, coming-of-age--are all explored in perceptive and entertaining vignettes that can be read in one classroom setting. What makes this book special, though, are the authors' perspectives on censorship."
— ALAN Review
"A short, meaningful anticensorship essay by the author follows each story and should be required reading for anyone studying the effects of censorship."
— School Library Journal
"Every story shows teens experiencing life unvarnished, growing up through tragedy and difficulty; the collection is candid, even blunt, in its desire to "tell it like it is.'' Readers will come away with an appreciation for every writer's struggle, and the realization that at one time or another, all of their favorite authors have come into the censor's sights.
— Kirkus Reviews
Additional Resources
Places I Never Meant To Be Reading Group Guide
Introduction from Places I Never Meant To Be by Judy Blume
Places I Never Meant to Be: A Personal View by Judy Blume