You Never Did Learn to Knock; 14 Stories About Girls and Their Mothers

This diverse collection of fourteen original contemporary stories captures many different aspects of the special relationship between mother and daughter. From happy discoveries to tragic loss and rebellion to resolution, this collection brings together fourteen of today's top female writers from diverse cultures to explore a theme that is close to every woman's heart.

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Focusing on the often complicated relationship between mothers and daughters, this modern and culturally diverse collection of stories runs the emotional gamut, from happiness to tragedy and rebellion to resolution. Original.

Bel Mooney made her name as a journalist, columnist, and broadcaster before writing fiction for adults and children. She is the author of a best-selling series of stories for young girls, including I Don't Want To! and So What, which were inspired by her own daughter, Kitty.

Several anthologies present wisdom for all. Two collections, taken together, offer a balanced view: You Never Did Learn to Knock: 14 Stories About Girls and Their Mothers, edited by Bel Mooney; and My Dad's a Punk: 12 Stories About Boys and Their Fathers, edited by Tony Bradman. Mates, Dates author Cathy Hopkins offers the bittersweet title story of the first collection: her 12-year-old heroine continues to talk with her Mum, who passed away three weeks before. Other contributors include Adele Geras and Betty Hicks. Ron Koertge's "Twenty Crows," in the second book, follows a teen narrator whose father makes seemingly empty promises, but comes through unexpectedly to give the boy hope. Tim Wynne-Jones and Terence Blacker number among the other contributors. Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

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Gr 5-8 -A collection of stories by young adult writers from both sides of the Atlantic. The characters are all from middle- or upper-middle-class homes, there is little sense of alienation, and the mothers and daughters truly love one another. All the selections are told from the daughter's perspective, and many teenagers will see parts of themselves in the characters. Situations include adoption, girls manipulating their mothers, divorce, and terminal illness. Two pieces stand out. One is the title story about a girl trying to come to terms with her mother's death and her appearance as a ghost by the rather creative use of a cell phone. The other story concerns two cousins who dislike one another even though they have never met because they are constantly being compared by their respective mothers. When the girls do get together, their candor helps them quickly figure out what's been going on. A solid, enjoyable collection due to its breezy style and content.-Nancy P. Reeder, Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, Columbia, SC

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