One Thousand Words for War

Gr 8 Up—A thought-provoking if uneven collection of sci-fi short stories about the powerful ways young adults can overcome and embrace grim circumstances. The volume focuses on protagonists whose environments or societal expectations threaten to destroy them physically or emotionally. For example, one entry centers on a transgender girl standing up to bullies, while another poignantly tells the story of a child soldier trying to save his fellow friends from war and death. Some of the themes covered include adversity, persistence, and change. Other darker topics pertaining to abuse and assault are present but not graphic. Many of these vignettes might resonate with teens who are underdogs or who feel "othered." Reluctant readers will enjoy these fast-paced narratives; however, they might have an arduous time acclimating to different settings as well as getting to know the main protagonists. Full-length sci-fi novels have complex, detailed worlds, and the short lengths of these selections don't always allow for much depth. The stories are conceptually creative, but they might feel disjointed to readers. Character development, especially of some of the one-dimensional supporting roles, is also lacking.