UP ALL NIGHT

Thirteen contemporary short stories by some of today’s leading young adult novelists explore how one late night can change the course of everything.

Editor Silverman compiles an impressive collection that explores coming-of-age themes, including the thrill of teenage crushes, the whirlwind of preparing for prom, and the adjustments needed to create a blended family, while also featuring a mix of characters diverse in race, sexuality, and gender identity. Grace Finch is the daughter of a respected police detective who joins a group of friends in playing a fateful game that involves sneaking into a rumored haunted house in “Never Have I Ever” by Karen McManus. An introspective teen struggles with the fact that her lifelong friendships are ending in Maurene Goo’s “Like Before.” While all of the stories are worth reading and savoring, particular standouts include Tiffany D. Jackson’s “Shark Bait,” in which a teen girl moves to her ancestral home on Martha’s Vineyard and has a tumultuous romance with a local boy; “What About Your Friends,” Brandy Colbert’s tale of two estranged childhood best friends who end up attending the same college; and Julian Winters’ “Under Our Masks,” a truly original take on the superhero origin story.

A thoughtful volume that will appeal to a broad range of readers.