Short Story Collection

Ellis, Deborah.  Lunch with Lenin and Other Stories.  (2008). Here is a collection of ten short stories that explores how drugs have affected teens across the world.  In Afghanistan, Tahmina and her family harvest opium.  Valerin, a child abandoned in Moscow's Red Square, is offered heroin to "take away the sins of the world".  Kelly struggles to find a place for herself  in the shadow of her drug-addicted sister, Shannon, by entering the Miss Firefighter Pageant.  While the characters may seem trite and the tone might be preachy, Ellis's straightforward writing style makes this heavy subject easily accessible to reluctant readers. 

Akpan, Uwem.  Say You're One of Them.  (2008).

Akpan, a Jesuit priest, creates stories from the children of Africa.  These children are prostitutes in Nairobi.  Maisha, 12 years old, works the streets of Nairobi to help bring food for Christmas and money for her brother's education.  Mary and Pascal are sold by their uncle to Gabon.  Jean and Monique witness the massacre of their mother and the people of Rwanada.  With textured writing and compelling voice Akpan lifts the troubles and spirit of the African child into our souls.