Geektastic edited by Holly Black and Cecil Castellucci

Book Jacket

Haven't you heard?  Geek is the new cool!  Acclaimed authors Holly Black (Ironside) and Cecil Castellucci (Boy Proof) have united in geekdom to bring together stories from some of the bestselling and most promising players in young adult literature.  This collection includes stories form the following geeks:  M. T. Anderson, Libba Bray, Cassandra Clare, John Green, Cynthia and Greg Leitich Smith, David Levithan, Kelly Link, Barry Lyga, Tracy Lynn, Wendy Mass, Garth Nix, Scott Westerfeld, Lisa Yee, and Sara Zarr.

With illustrated interstitials from comic book artists Hope Laron and Bryan Lee O'Malley, Geektastic covers all things geekly, from Klingons to fan fiction, theater geeks, and cosplayers.  Whether you're a former, current, or future geek, or if you just want to get in touch with your inner geek, Geektastic will help you get your geek on!

Review

I don't know if geek is the new cool, but does it matter?  Geeks are people who love something passionately, and that is awesome in my book (which is probably a biased opinion, because I am by all accounts a geek).  This anthology reminded me of all the ups and downs a geek can experience, whether it's being shunned by the popular crowd or finding acceptance from likeminded individuals. 

Geeks see the world with different eyes, with more wonder and more imagination.  This anthology of short stories definitely captures that unique quality, and if you have ever considered yourself a geek of any kind, you will find something to love in this book.  I know I have been inspired to up my geek quotient!

Four out of five stars.

Release Date:  August 2009
Reading Level:  Grade 9+
Where In Dunlap Public Library's Collection:  Not yet owned by Dunlap.