Review: Life, Death and Detention

Handle with caution is my first response to George Ivanoff’s collection of short stories in Life death & detention. Although originally published in 1999, these tales still hit hot spots for today’s teenagers. Originally popular as in-classroom material for Year seven and eight students, I believe young adults of all ages will find these stories topical.
   
What happens when a bully pushes you too far? How do you come to terms with your first kiss, especially if it is with someone of an unexpected gender? Are all heroes altruistic or is that act of kindness just a self-talking excuse to do what you want?  Charisma only ever goes skin deep, while grief slices through to the bone. Even the question of whether supernatural beings exist (and in what form) is explored.

Like I said, handle with care. George Ivanoff always offers an afterword in which he explains the thoughts behind each story. Personally, I’d rather come to my own conclusions, but one thing is for sure: at least one story will reverberate in the reader’s subconscious long after this book is set aside.

Title: Life Death & Detention: Short stories about School and other Stuff
Author: George Ivanoff
Publisher: Morris Publishing Australia, $15.95 RRP
Publication Date: 2012
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780987244499
For ages: 13 +
Type: Young Adult Fiction