Appelt, Kathi. (2004). Kissing Tennessee and Other Stories from the Stardust Dance. San Diego: Harcourt, Inc., 132 pp.

Grade Range: 6-12

Genre: short stories

Summary and Critique

This collection of stories set at an eighth grade graduation dance addresses an array of issues from death to date rape, to homosexuality, to first love. Most of the stories end in a positive light, even though many of the subjects are heavy. Cub Tanner questions his sexuality. Two friends, Peggy and Tennessee, consider taking their friendship to the next level. Carrie and Mason want to dance with each other but are too shy to say anything.

Some of the issues may be too controversial for sensitive readers, but Appelt addresses these issues with sensitivity and impartiality. This sensitivity and impartiality tends to make the stories more poignant than controversial.

Awards

American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults

ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Readers

New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age

VOYA Top Shelf Fiction Pick

Theme/Topics

Friends and Enemies

Families

The Individual vs. Society

Love, Sex, and Romance

Author Information

Appelt has spent most of her life in Texas, having grown up in El Paso and Houston and having graduated from Texas A&M University. She writes children's books and young adult novels, though she credits the births of her two sons for inspiring her to write the children's books. Currently, Appelt and her husband, a teacher, reside in College Station, Texas.

For more information on Kathi Appelt:

http://www.kathiappelt.com/ Appelt's official home page – it includes a biography, contact information, bibliographies of her works, and related links.

http://www.harperchildrens.com/teacher/catalog/author_xml.asp?authorID=11738 Biographical information.

http://www.rose-ettastone.com/index.2ts?page=1002 Interview with Appelt.

Media Connections

Movies

William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet (1996) Overall good example of the many factors that can create teen angst: first love, parental authority, friendship, death and suicide.

Pretty in Pink (1986) A high school girl from a poor and motherless family begins dating a guy from a rather wealthy family, much to the dismay of their jealous friends.

The Breakfast Club (1985) Five very different Teens learn about relationships, friendship, love, and cliques while serving detention together.

Dead Poet's Society (1989) Teenagers at a private school learn about life, friendship, and literature from each other and from a passionate English teacher.

The Diary of Anne Frank (1959) Film adaptation of Anne Frank's diary while she, her family, and their friends hid in a secret room during part of World War II. Although confined to a small space, Anne still experiences the traditional emotions and thoughts associated with the teenage years.

Television

7th Heaven (WB) Series about the life of a pastor's family; wide range of adolescent issues addressed; appropriate for adult and adolescent audiences alike.

Dawson's Creek (WB) Series revolves around the lives of several high school students living in a small town; though intended for a more mature audience, the show addresses some very important youth issues and students can easily relate to it.

Working it out at Madison (video series available on VHS) Canadian show that addresses issues such as substance abuse, dating violence in high school

Big Changes Big Choices (video series available on VHS) A counselor/comedian talks about belonging, dealing with pressure, sexuality, and other issues. This series is geared toward a middle school audience.

Online Resources

http://Falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/bioa-d.htm An index of children's authors and illustrators, as well as related lesson plans.

http://www.focusas.com/Resources.html Offers resources such as books and contact information about dealing with adolescent issues such as depression, abuse, dating, etc.

http://thegalleriesatmoore.org/poetry/index.shtml Collection of youth poetry on a variety of youth-related issues including child abuse, loss, love, and tolerance and respect for others

Related Texts

Appelt, Kathi. (2002). Poems from Homeroom: A Writer's Place to Start. New York: Henry Holt. 114pp. Appelt penned twenty poems about teenage issues and then explained the inspiration behind each poem, as well as her writing process.

Frank, E.R. (2000). Life is Funny. New York: DK Ink. 263pp. In Brooklyn, NY, eleven teenagers experience the pain and suffering associated with abuse, alcoholism, neglect, drug addiction, and racism.

Myers, Walter Dean. (2000). 145th Street: Short Stories. New York: Delacorte Press. 151pp. Through a series of vignettes, Myers presents the stories of several teenagers experiencing the trials and tribulations of adolescent life while growing up in Harlem, NY.

Gordon, Ruth. (1995). Pierced by a Ray of Sun: Poems About the Times We Feel Alone. New York: Harper Collins. 105pp. A poetry anthology that addresses themes of alienation and loneliness.

Soto, Gary. (1990). A Summer Life. Hanover, NH: University Press of New England. 115pp. Soto describes his youth in Fresno, CA through thirty-nine short essays.

Canfeld, Jack; Kirberger, Kimberly; Hansen, Mark Victor. (2002). Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul on Love and Friendship. Deerfield Beach, Fla: Health Communications. 300pp. Various stories about love and friendship during the teenage years.

Teaching Ideas

(1) "Stories as Introductions" Instead of teaching the book in its entirety, use the stories separately to introduce other works, or to introduce a general unit of study. For example, the story"Just a Kiss, Annie P.," about a boy whose first girlfriend has been killed in a car accident, could be used as a thought-provoking introduction to Romeo and Juliet since the protagonists have very different reactions to the deaths of their significant others.

(2) "Class Anthology" Have students create a class anthology by creating poems, short stories, and pictures about the youth issues they feel are most relevant to their lives.

(3) "Adolescent Issues in the Media" Have students research adolescent issues in the context of different media (music, television, film, computers) and discuss how these media influence their beliefs about adolescent issues. Students could give persuasive speeches either proving or disproving the influence of the media on these issues.

(Review written by Ashlee Land and edited by Jennifer E. Moore)