The Children's Hours — Richard Zimler

Featuring an international constellation of notable authors, this anthology explores and celebrates childhood with tales touching on abuse and rejection, loneliness and love, the joys of friendship and discovery, and the first confused inklings of adolescent love. Participants in the project include acclaimed and award-winning authors such as David Almond, Margaret Atwood, Andre Brink, Melvin Burgess, Junot Diaz, Nadine Gordimer, Eva Hoffman, Alberto Manguel, Meg Rosoff, Nicholas Shakespeare, Ali Smith and Richard Zimler. Some of the 26 stories are new, while others are difficult to find in print-yet each offers a moving, disturbing, surprising, or mysterious glimpse into the fragile and precious lives of children around the world.