Break These Rules: 35 YA Authors on Speaking Up, Standing Out, and Being Yourself

From “Never Talk About Religion” (Sara Zarr) to “Boys Don’t Cry” (Chris Lynch), 35 writers contribute essays titled by “rules” for teens to break or ignore. Editor Reynolds proves he’s not above rule breaking, too: despite the subtitle, several contributors (Rob Buyea, Lynda Mullaly Hunt, and Mike Jung, among others) are technically middle-grade authors. Much of the advice—from rejecting conventional standards of beauty to not worrying about fitting in—may be familiar to many readers, though that doesn’t make it any less sound. In the strongest entries, the writers use examples of their own past struggles to subtly drive home their messages. Matthew Quick is honest about the nervousness, and rewards, that come with leaving one’s comfort zone; Gary D. Schmidt describes a moment of betrayal and awakening in a church youth group; Margo Rabb hilariously imagines Georgia O’Keeffe as a guest on What Not to Wear (“Go to hell,” the artist tells the hosts, before hopping on a motorcycle to New Mexico, “where she can wear whatever she likes”). Thanhha Lai perhaps puts it best: “There is no rule to follow; there is no rule to break. You follow and break rules just by the act of living.” Proceeds from the sale of the book benefit the Children’s Defense Fund. Ages 12–up. (Sept.)