Cleavage

This collection of short stories embraces the multiple meanings of the word, "cleavage." The obvious reference to the female anatomy is covered, but more prominent are the competing meanings of separation and adhesion. What better word could describe the push-pull relationship of mother and daughter during the teen years? If there is a theme that cleaves all these stories together, it is the daughter's struggle to forge an identity from the constraints of a mother's consuming love. Consider the first story by Valerie Hunter, for example. Enticingly titled, "Former Juice Girl Eats World's Largest Taco", it is about a former child model who is proud of her recent consumption of an eight pound taco, much to her mother's consternation. More serious, "About My Curves" by Robin Stevenson features a teen who removes her mother's nude portrait — complete with mastectomy scar " from above the couch before having a party. In "Change Room" by Patricia McCowan, a girl dies of embarrassment as her mother broadcasts information about the girl's new voluptuous breasts. There is something for everyone in these fifteen original stories by Canadian authors, with a pleasing mix of humor and angst. Perhaps the most refreshing element of the book is the solid chorus of girls who push aside cultural stereotypes and maternal expectations to become their best selves.

Don't judge a book by its title! Cleavage: it's not what you think... This book is full of great short stories about mothers, daughters and girl stuff.

When I first opened this short story collection, I was most definitely not prepared for what I'd find in there. Now, I left my early tween teen years a little while ago, but the stories in this collection instantly took me back to those days of leaving childhood, dealing with your mom (who suddenly became the MOST annoying person in the world), figuring out what the heck is happening to your body, and learning to brave the waters of peer pressure and of the media who are constantly telling you who and what you should be. More than anything, these stories show us that we are most definitely not alone in the world, and that girls all around us are going through the exact same things... and conquering them!

THE GOOD: I love how the stories in Cleavage are nice and short, so you can sneak one in on the ride to school or just before going to bed. Yet even though they are short, they pack a punch that will keep you thinking until you dive into the next one. I also liked the fact that even though these stories were all written by different authors, the same themes and ideas still emerge from all their stories, truly making the book into a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. The issues that the stories cover really are for teen girls—and there is definitely at least one story that everyone can relate to on a personal level. From one girl wanting to experiment with makeup in "Faceless on the Farm", to another who just wants to break her mother's rule and eat cake in "The Cake Princess", I see echoes of my life, as well as yours, coming off the page. These stories really made me remember and think about the problems and issues that plague me as a girl every day, and the ways in which I solve them— not.

DOWNSIDE: The stories in Cleavage were a really good length, but I think I also would have liked to have seen one or two longer stories, so they could delve a little further into what they were talking about. Some of the stories ended so soon and I really would have liked to see more of the characters and how their lives changed after the stories ended. If you're looking for a book you can read for hours and get lost in, I wouldn't pick up Cleavage just yet. I also sometimes found myself wanting more—a deeper exploration of the characters and their relationships with those around them and the world... .

I haven't encountered many short story collections like Cleavage, but check out other books by the two editors as well as the authors, it looks like you may find some great stuff!

RATING: Two thumbs up.

Okay, so Cleavage is the title of this book, and yes the title does bring up a few of those immature giggles and sly nudges but please put those thoughts out of your head. Really, even when I saw the title I will admit I was skeptical, but my doubts, as they usually are, were proven wrong.

Cleavage is a collection of fifteen stories that will make you laugh and cry. These stories, most obviously considering the unexpected title, all revolve around girls. The tales include some of those topics that we'd much rather not discuss, but can still laugh about with our girlfriends. What is it really like to be a girl, all the hardships we go through just to get through one day? Some stories I couldn't relate to as much as others since not all of us have to go through everything.

Obviously it talks about puberty, which all girls go through, like it or not. Other stories are about the mother daughter relationship, wither the good times or (most likely) the bad. We all can relate to the girls trying to compete with the looks and bodies of the skeletal plastic Barbie dolls of the world. Some stories have parent issues, where you can't reach them on any topic. Some matter, such as gay sexuality, comes up as well. And of course the classic mother-having-a-baby-with-the-new-father comes into play.

If you're interested in Cleavage, I would like to point out that some content is a little mature but I would recommend that all girls read this book at some point. However, if you were one of the people who couldn't stop laughing at the title you might want to wait a bit.

Cleavage takes a look at what the real girl is, no matter what the adversity she may be facing.

Alternately edgy, charming, funny, and sweet, these 15 stories address issues confronting adolescents. Integral to each selection is the complicated relationship between the girls and their mothers. In the hilarious "Faceless on the Farm," a spunky girl writes emails to a fashion consultant at a teen magazine asking for advice in her efforts to convince her mother to allow her to wear makeup. Conversely, in "Wax World," Amy resists her mother's idea of beauty and refuses to get her legs waxed, preferring to leave them as they are. In "The Giant Regina," Georgia copes with her mother's newfound lesbianism, while in "My So Not Ballerina Boobs," large-breasted Meghan deals with the mortifying prospect of bra shopping with her embarrassing mother. The selections touch on the multiple meanings of the word "cleavage," and together form an aptly named collection of stories about body image and mothers and daughters coming together and growing apart. A fresh, honest, and entertaining anthology.

It is increasingly difficult to find fiction for young girls which does not promote a material lifestyle, such as getting the latest designer bag or the newest beauty product to help your lips look plumper and eyes look bigger. In a world dominated by waif-like women and the need for more, more, more, Cleavage: Breakaway Fiction for Real Girls is a refreshing compilation of 15 new short stories. Each story revolves on strong, young females who yearn to break away from the arbitrary beauty ideals imposed upon them. Cleavage tackles a variety of topics, from love and sex, to body image and even discovering that your mother is completely waxed bare 'down there.'

In today's society, our senses have become dulled to the amount of advertising we are exposed to each and every day. Young women are being sent mixed messages from every angle, from the media to their very own mothers. Teenage girls are particularly open to these messages because they are in the process of developing and discovering who they are. As a young woman, it can sometimes feel like you are in the middle of a tug of war between parental or other influences, peers, and advertising. When you are unsure of yourself, you are increasingly susceptible to these influences.

Cleavage showcases this tug of war that occurs while growing up. One short story, in particular, uniquely demonstrates the way media and teen magazines can have an influence on young girls. "Faceless on the Farm," by Ann Sutherland takes the form of several letters written back and forth between a teen magazine editor and a young girl who lives on a rural farm. 'Faceless' captures the way teen magazines encourage young girls to use makeup as a placebo to aid self-esteem. It creates a snapshot of the pressure girls feel to 'uncover their beauty' through make-up and various products, while ignoring their true beauty.

The only criticism a reader may have is that some of the stories feel slightly stunted, with conclusions that approach far too fast. In "My Mom is a Freak," by Ev Bishop, the reader becomes absorbed in a tale showcasing a typical mother daughter relationship. In this story, a young girl named Savannah-Lynn is upset with her mother who will not let her buy clothes and makeup. Almost every girl can remember a time when she and her mother clashed and will relate to this story. "My Mom" is well written, but concludes itself far too quickly, leaving the reader feeling confused. This could simply be due to the short story format.

Despite this, the strengths of the compilation certainly overcome its weaknesses. The characters in each story are relatable, making the reader feel for them, which is the ultimate strength of this compilation. In Jennifer Filipowicz's "My Not So Ballerina Boobs," the reader is introduced to Meghan, a 13-year-old girl who is trying to adjust to the C-cup breasts she grew overnight. For young girls who are in the process of going through puberty, this story is excellent. Meghan is a character which many girls will be able to relate to because she is strong, and real. A young girl will discover that she is not the only one going through these changes, even though it may seem that way.

Cleavage is an excellent anthology that shows young readers that it is alright to break away from the norm, and to be your own person, no matter what your friends, or even your parents think. The reader is able to see their insecurities which make them both vulnerable and endearing. For young girls who are in the throes of adolescence, this book allows girls to take pride in their bodies, and their selves, just the way they are.

Katie O'Connor is a recent graduate of Carleton University's political science program. She is currently living in Toronto.

These short stories should appeal to the most reluctant of readers but will still engage more avid ones. Fifteen stories ranging in length from 8 to 15 pages, each story addresses some aspect of teen girls coming to terms with themselves, their relationship with the world around them, and growing up. The stories don't shy away from sexuality yet are fairly light hearted.

The stories send positive messages that girls of that age need. With short stories that cover everything from eating and body issues, peer acceptance, and mother-daughter relationships this book will not only appeal to a wide audience but will also be of use in many aspects of the curriculum.

At the end of each story there is a short biography of the author and a paragraph that addresses where her story idea comes from. These could prove to be quite inspirational in a creative writing class or to students with an interest in writing.

Cleavage: Breakaway Fiction for Real Girls. Just the name is edgy and designed to get our attention, and the stories inside live up to the title. In the foreword, editors Deb Loughead and Jocelyn Shipley say that the word cleavage has many meanings. There's the image of the valley between breasts of course, but cleavage also refers to the division of a fertilized ovum from a single cell into a mass of smaller cells. It's what they call the mom factor that shows up in the book. Cleavage also has contradictory meanings. On one hand it means to break away from, on the other it means to hold tightly to.

You'll find stories relating to all the meanings in this delightful book of short stories that's easy to digest and gives a lot to think and talk about. If you can think of an issue for women, it's probably covered in the stories, including attitudes about weight, breast implants, tattoos, body image, make-up, clothes and more. These stories will open the door for moms and daughters to talk about hard-to-bring up subjects that benefit from open discussion.

A short bio of each author, including a note about what inspired her to write her story, is a nice touch that adds extra meaning to each piece. Mother-daughter book clubs with high-school-aged girls will find a lot to like when reading Cleavage.

We all want to look our best and be accepted and loved by our peer group. But what is "our best?" And how can we distance ourselves from our well-meaning mothers long enough to figure out where we fit and what we're aiming for? As today's teenage girls sink into this soupy mess, the stories from Cleavage will buoy them up and remind them that they, too, will survive.

This eclectic collection of short stories, edited by Deb Loughead and Jocelyn Shipley, both award-winning writers for young people themselves, is tied together by theme: girls struggling with body image and their relationships with their mothers. The female authors of these 15 stories have nailed to the wall the self-absorption of teenage girls who think and act as if their problems are the centre of the entire world.

And surely their mothers are the most embarrassing people ever, drawing unwelcome attention to their long-suffering daughters. These girls are determined to find their own way despite their mothers' eccentricities and downright idiocy.

The astute older teen reader may recognize the real love in which these mothers envelope their daughters. Younger readers will groan in recognition as mothers blithely display their lesbian lover's vagina-inspired art, loudly announce to an entire store that their daughter is struggling to find a bra to fit her well-developed breasts, or unabashedly get pregnant, making it clear that someone's having sex.

However, most of these stories are aimed at mid-teens who are chafing against maternal restraints and expectations and who are just beginning to realize that their mothers' choices do not necessarily have to be their choices.

Although a couple of the stories fall short at the end through too much telling, too much tidying up or too quick a change of heart, most of the stories are very strong, with sympathetic girl protagonists, colourful purposeful mothers, realistic family situations and the gleaming knife of raw emotion. One story, "Faceless on the Farm," is laugh-out-loud funny, while the best story, "The Cake Princess," will reduce the toughest girl to tears. Both "About My Curves" and "Profanity" touch on mothers' mortality. The overwhelming influence of the media on the body image of girls and women is an underlying theme that will generate much discussion. At least 10 of these stories could be used successfully in a junior high unit on body image.

Highly Recommended.

Cleavage is a collection of short stories about the challenges faced by young girls as they navigate their way through the turbulence of adolescence. There are 15 stories here, some by first-time authors, and for the most part they are smart and satisfying tales. The dialogue is sharp and believably teenaged, the content often embarrassingly true to life, and the tone is never condescending.

These are stories about whether or not to wear make-up or shave one's legs, about how to get a boy to like you, about wanting to fill out a bra or wishing one didn't fill it out quite so well. Ultimately, though, these stories are about coming into one's own and negotiating a selfhood that is somewhere between what is expected and what is desired.

The strongest stories of the bunch needn't be considered suitable exclusively for young readers. Kelle Ngan's "The Puberty Theory" is about a bright child who employs clever problem-solving techniques in a effort to seduce the object of her affection. Of course, her analysis looks better in theory than it does in practice. Wendy A. Lewis's story, "The Giant Regina," is very fine and funny piece of magical realism. The internal monologue of Claire Tacon's character in "Bare" is believable and written with so much love that it is impossible not to sympathize.

Other stories are less successful Ann Sutherland's "Faceless on the Farm" is a dogmatic epistolary tale told through e-mail, and Lisabeth Jackson's "Presenting Miss Gorilla Legs" lacks believable character development. That said, co-editors Loughead and Shipley have assembled an eminently readable collection here, one that may be as enlightening and enjoyable for mothers as their teenage daughters.

Just testing.....I bet that subject heading piqued your interest, no? Cleavage is the name of a wonderful book of short stories I've been reading. The book's full name is Cleavage: Breakaway Fiction for Real Girls. The collection is edited by two YA writers: Deb Loughead and Jocelyn Shipley. Every story in the book has something to do with girls, their bodies, and their relationships with their mums. Pretty cool, no?

In Valerie Hunter's short story. "Former Juice Girl Eats World's Largest Taco," the narrator rejects society's view of what a proper meal is for a teenage girl. As the story's title suggests, the narrator eats the world's largest taco — and by doing so, she also seriously upsets her mother. In a short note following the story, Hunter explains it was inspired by an article she read in a college newspaper about a slim girl who ate a six pound hamburger with five pounds of topping! (Note to my students with whom I've been discussing how to go about finding an idea for their stories or projects...just TUNE IN... ideas are EVERYWHERE!!)

Another story I really enjoyed in the collection is "Profanity" by Karen Krossing. In that story, the narrator, Claudia, has to come to terms with her mum's pregnancy. Krossing does a great job of capturing how disgusted Claudia is by her mum and her mum's boyfriend, Larry. Here's Claudia's description of her pregnant mother. "Flabby arms and neck. Sagging cheeks and puffy feet. With a body like that, I'd be hiding in a tent-like dress...ashamed of how everyone knew what I'd done to get that way. Congratulations on getting laid, beluga!"

Hope those lines give you a sense of what a compelling read Cleavage is. It's published by Sumach Press. Read it if you can.

Despite the unrequited love, false expectations, body issues and embarrassing mothers, Cleavage, written by various women, edited by Deb Loughead and Jocelyn Shipley, is a feel good collection of short stories.

The word "cleavage" has several meanings besides what you're thinking. In scientific terms, "cleavage" has to do with motherhood; to "cleave" is to split apart and conversely, to "cleave to" means to stick together.

This idea of sticking together contributes to the central theme of this collection, connecting the words of many great authors. Overall, what makes these stories work is how relatable they are to teenage girls. This book captures all the moments during the awkward stage in stories like The Puberty Theory, Presenting Miss Gorilla Legs and About My Curves with sincerity.

... When we get very lucky we come across a book that expands our minds, enlightens us, and miraculously is still entertaining enough to make us want read it again and (sometimes) again. Well, I just got lucky because I got Cleavage. The title of this book is enough to make you want to read it and it just keeps getting better from there. I myself read it hoping the title noun might magically pass itself onto me... it didn't; but thanks to this book I'm alright with that. For anyone who has ever felt too fat, too thin, too flat, and everything in between get ready to embrace the beautiful!

For all women, young and old, this book is a marvelous way to discover or reaffirm that you really aren't the only one who thinks her thighs are too big, who feels pressure to count calories, and who is slowly being driven crazy by her mother. It consists of fifteen stories about body image, self esteem, puberty and the many joys, calamities, and scream fests that come with the three; all written in a wonderfully direct and often hilariously offbeat way that will make you want to keep reading.

These stories will get you teary, sometimes it's in sympathy and sometimes it's from laughing so hard and it's something you'll want to give to all of your girlfriends...and their moms. While the book calls itself "breakaway fiction for real girls", women of all ages will love these stories and their homage to beauty in all of its mysterious, crazy, and unique forms.