My True Love Gave to Me
Raincoast Books
age 13-18
Edited by Stephanie Perkins, contributions by Rainbow Rowell and David Levithan
336 pages
Synopsis from Raincoast Books:
Twelve Holiday Stories by twelve bestselling young adult writers (Holly Black, Ally Carter, Matt de La Peña, Gayle Forman, Jenny Han, David Levithan, Kelly Link, Myra McEntire, Rainbow Rowell, Stephanie Perkins, Laini Tayler and Kiersten White), edited by the international bestselling Stephanie Perkins. Whether you celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah, Winter Solstice or Kwanzaa, there’s something here for everyone. So curl up by the fireplace and get cozy. You have twelve reasons this season to stay indoors and fall in love.
I love holiday books. So much so I created a holiday book countdown in 2013 and compiled a new list for 2014. There’s something special about reading a holiday book in anticipation of the season. Although your preteen and teen may enjoy these moments still, a slip into holiday childhood mode, your young adolescent may enjoy something beyond snowmen that talk and kids decorating the tree. They may enjoy My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories.
Written by some of today’s popular young adult writers, My True Love Gave to Me focuses on more adolescent issues around the holidays, like that first kiss from the boy you thought was just your best friend in Rainbow Rowell’s Midnights or finding your inner courage in Holly Black’s Krampuslauf. Each short story stands on its own, ideal for a quick moment stolen from the family during Christmas break.
Although I haven’t yet had a chance to read all twelve stories, the few I have read are very different in nature, like most young adult writers, but I did love the holiday spirit woven into the books. Some more obvious and others a little subtle. The stories don’t just focus on Christmas either which was nice, touching on other holidays around the same time frame. And yes, as a young adult book there are references to sex, drugs, and drinking in some stories but chances are your child may be covering these topics in school literature or in school yard discussions. My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories would make a great gift to put even those not feeling the holiday spirit in a bit of a festive mood and you might discover some new authors you enjoy.
You can find a copy of My True Love Gave to Me at your local bookstore or at Raincoast Books. Visit our Kid’s Books section for other great book recommendations.