book the collectors: stories

*the collectors: stories*

*the collectors: stories* is a thought‑provoking young adult anthology edited by a. s. king. it brings together ten short stories by a stellar lineup of ya authors—including m. t. anderson, david levithan, jenny torres sánchez, jason reynolds, and anna‑marie mclemore—to explore what people collect, and why. each tale centers on a different kind of “collector” and their personal, sometimes strange, and deeply emotional collections. through this creative prompt, the book dives into ideas of identity, aspirations, longing, and memory. for readers who love introspective fiction, character-driven stories, and imaginative worlds within reality, this collection is both surprising and deeply resonant.

about the editors and authors

this anthology is edited by **a. s. king**, a celebrated ya author known for her emotionally rich, genre-defying works. :contentreference[oaicite:0]{index=0} the contributing authors are among the most respected names in young adult literature: m. t. anderson, e.e. charlton‑trujillo, david levithan, cory mccarthy, anna‑marie mclemore, g. neri, jason reynolds, randy ribay, and jenny torres sánchez. :contentreference[oaicite:1]{index=1} each writer brings a unique voice, style, and perspective to the anthology, resulting in a richly varied but thematically cohesive collection.

about the book

*the collectors: stories* centers around one big question: what do people collect, and what does that say about who they are? :contentreference[oaicite:2]{index=2} through ten imaginative stories, the anthology shows that collections go far beyond objects—they can be memories, ideas, emotions, broken things, or dreams. :contentreference[oaicite:3]{index=3} for example, david levithan’s story features a non-binary young person gathering fragments from other people’s treasures, while jenny torres sánchez writes about fire—not as a tool, but as something to collect with care. :contentreference[oaicite:4]{index=4} some stories experiment with form—there’s a screenplay, a highly visual narrative, and even surreal or experimental pieces. :contentreference[oaicite:5]{index=5} in king’s introduction, she argues that collecting is an art, and that individuals who collect are creators in their own right. :contentreference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

the collectors: stories summary

the book opens with an exploration of why humans collect and how that impulse ties into creativity, memory, and emotional life. :contentreference[oaicite:7]{index=7} each chapter is a standalone story based on the idea of collecting. in one story, a skater in the 1970s (“pool bandits” by g. neri) collects his dreams and challenges, while in another, a non-binary kid pieces together fragments from other people’s collections (david levithan). :contentreference[oaicite:8]{index=8} some collections are physical—buttons, jars, notes, or things in “jars.” others are abstract: opinions, memories, fire, or wounds. :contentreference[oaicite:9]{index=9} despite their differences in tone, setting, and style, each story probes deeply into identity, longing, and what people value. :contentreference[oaicite:10]{index=10} by the end, the anthology leaves readers contemplating the meaning of “collection” in their own lives and the idea that collecting is deeply human—often an act of creation, healing, or self‑discovery.

faq

what genre is *the collectors: stories*?

it’s a young adult short‑story anthology, blending realism, magical realism, and speculative themes. :contentreference[oaicite:11]{index=11}

how many stories are in the book?

there are ten stories, each written by a different author. :contentreference[oaicite:12]{index=12}

do the stories share a common theme?

yes—they’re all inspired by the idea of collecting, but “collecting” is interpreted broadly (objects, memories, feelings, etc.). :contentreference[oaicite:13]{index=13}

who is the target audience?

young adult readers—but anyone who enjoys introspective, character-driven fiction will appreciate it.

is this book award‑winning?

yes, it won the **2024 michael l. printz award**. :contentreference[oaicite:14]{index=14}

is there a unifying style or format across the stories?

while varied in style—some experimental, some grounded—all stories feel emotionally connected and tied together by king’s prompt about collections. :contentreference[oaicite:15]{index=15}

why should someone read this book?

it’s a creative, moving anthology that encourages you to think about what you collect (in life and in your heart) and why those things matter.