Bound To Stay Bound

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 Diverse energies

 Publisher:  Tu Books (2012)

 Dewey: 808
 Classification: Story Collection
 Physical Description: 314 p.,  22 cm.

 BTSB No: 040605 ISBN: 9781600608872
 Ages: 12-18 Grades: 7-12

 Subjects:
 Short stories
 Science fiction

Price: $11.44

Summary:
In this collection of original and rediscovered stories of tragedy and hope, the diverse stars are students, street kids, "good girls," kidnappers, and child laborers pitted against their environments, their governments, and sometimes one another as they seek answers in their dystopian worlds.

 Editor: Buckell, Tobias S.
Monti, Joe
Accelerated Reader Information:
   Interest Level: UG
   Reading Level: 5.50
   Points: 12.0   Quiz: 158196



Full Text Reviews:

Booklist - 11/01/2012 In an afterword, coeditor Monti writes about a heated 2009 discussion (dubbed “RaceFail 09”) regarding race in fantasy and science fiction, and how his reaction was to put together a collection showcasing “this wonderful, blended, messed-up world.” Hence this book, which feels different than the usual fare—characters, settings, and authors come from all across the global spectrum—and, maybe more to the point, proves to be not that different at all. It starts off with a fabulous one-two punch: Ellen Oh’s devastating “The Last Day,” about a future global war and the horrific Hiroshima-like aftermath; then “Freshee’s Frogurt,” a wild, violent, and funny excerpt from Daniel H. Wilson’s Robopocalypse (2011). In general, the subsequent stories fall on the more thoughtful, brainy side of the sf spectrum. Two standouts are Paolo Bacigalupi’s “A Pocket Full of Dharma,” about the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama on a portable storage drive; and Cindy Pon’s “Blue Skies,” a wistful have/have-not tale from a smog-filthed future Taipei. A solid introduction to a number of highly talented writers. - Copyright 2012 Booklist.

Bulletin for the Center... - 12/01/2012 With this anthology of eleven short stories, eight of them original to this collection, Bucknell and Monti attempt to confront the limited multicultural presence in science fiction for young people. The result is a compelling mixture of stories with a diverse cast of characters from a variety of family backgrounds, including African, Chinese, Indian, Native American, and mixed heritages. Some offerings speak directly to themes of race, diversity, and identity, including Ursula LeGuin’s tale of alien anthropology, Ken Liu’s account of human-based computation’s reliance on the exploitation of child workers in developing nations, and K. Tempest Bradford’s story of a girl born out of time whose shifts in parentage affect her understanding of her own racial identity. Settings range from near-future possibilities to far-off times, and the young heroes and heroines battle everything from robots and undead Norse soldiers to political dictators and corporate executives. Nearly all entries involve a young person striving to take control of their situation to save themselves, their families, their communities, or their worlds, but endings vary from the exceedingly bleak to the guardedly hopeful. The collection has broad reader appeal with works from well-known stars like Ursula K. LeGuin, recognizable young adult authors like Malinda Lo and Paolo Bacigalupi, and crossover adult writers such as Daniel H. Wilson, as well as a variety of established science fiction writers who are new to the young adult genre. Fans will enjoy reading their favorite writers in short form, while readers looking to expand their science fiction horizons will find intriguing new worlds to explore. AM - Copyright 2012 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.

School Library Journal - 01/01/2013 Gr 9 Up—A variety of characters populates the well-written, future-set short stories in this aptly named anthology. Protagonists represent different ages, ethnicities, and sexual orientations. They all exist in unique, fully dimensional, and bleak worlds that are populated by children held in slavery, street people, the underprivileged, time travelers, and heroes who courageously fight to improve humanity's plight. The thread that binds these selections is the bravery of the main characters. Whether facing governmental, societal, or individual corruption, the protagonists find their own way to rise above it. Malinda Lo's "Good Girl" is a particularly engaging tale about an obedient daughter whose search for her missing brother leads her to an underground world that reveals some startling truths about her identity and the government. Daniel H. Wilson's "Freshee's Frogurt" stands out with its distinctive format; it's written as an interview conducted by a police officer investigating a robot-gone-rogue case. Each story entertains and provides the opportunity for underrepresented readers to find themselves on the pages. Contributors range from newly published authors to award winners, such as Ursula K. Le Guin and Cindy Pon. A first purchase for collections needing diversity titles or where short stories and dystopia are popular.—Cindy Wall, Southington Library & Museum, CT - Copyright 2013 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

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