Dating! Drama! Driving!

Remember what it was like to be sixteen? Whether it was the year your teeth were finally free of braces or the year you were discovered by the opposite sex, that magical, mystical age is something you will never forget. Edited by Megan McCafferty, author of the runaway hit novels Sloppy Firsts and Second Helpings, Sixteen: Stories About That Sweet and Bitter Birthday is a compilation of short stories inspired by all the angst, melodrama, and wonderment of being sixteen.

Sarah Dessen’s “Infinity” is about a girl confronting two major milestones: getting her driver’s license and losing her virginity. The Dead Girls in Jacqueline Woodson’s “Nebraska 99” have already decided to “do it” and must now cope with being teenage mothers. And Carolyn Mackler’s “Mona Lisa, Jesus, Chad, and Me” explores whether friendship can survive when partying and prayer clash. Also included is a new Jessica Darling story by Megan McCafferty about the last fifteen minutes Jessica spends—or rather, doesn’t spend—with her best friend, Hope, who is leaving Pineville.

Featuring stories by Steve Almond, M. T. Anderson, Julianna Baggott, Cat Bauer, Emma Forrest, Tanuja Desai Hidier, David Levithan, Sarah Mlynowski, Sonya Sones, Zoe Trope, Ned Vizzini, and Joseph Weisberg, these hilarious, poignant, and touching tales are perfect for both those who have yet to reach that milestone and those who want to reminisce about their “sweetest” year.

McCafferty has compiled a collection of short stories that captures all of the angst, drama, and wonder of that oddly important milestone age. Other featured authors include Meg Cabot ("The Princess Diaries"), Emma Forrest, and Julianna Baggott ("Girl Talk").

Remember what it felt Like to be sixteen? Could you ever forget? Whether it was the year you were finally free of braces, the year you got behind the wheel of your mom's car for the first time, or the year you had your first kiss, this oddly important milestone age is one that we all remember vividly for the rest of our lives. "Sixteen is a compilation of short stories that captures all of the angst, drama, and wonder of that time. Featuring original stories by authors such as Meg Cabot, author of "The Princess Diaries, Emma Forrest, author of "Namedropper, Joseph Weisberg, author of "10th Grade, and Julianna Baggott, author of "Girl Talk, this collection also includes a new story from Megan McCafferty that features Jessica Darling and her best friend Hope in a prequel to "Sloppy Firsts. Hilarious, poignant, smart, and sure to appeal to teen readers and grown-ups alike, "Sixteen will bring us all back (for better or for worse) to that most memorable year.

MEGAN McCAFFERTY is the author of Sloppy Firsts and Second Helpings. She lives with her husband and young son in New Jersey, and is currently at work on her third Jessica Darling novel. Find out more at www.meganmccafferty.com.