Fierce & True

Gr 7 Up—One of the leading children's theatres in North America, located in Minneapolis, wanted to broaden its audience, so it commissioned four playwrights to create works with young people (ages 12—18) specifically in mind. The results are the full-length plays in this anthology. While all have a teen protagonist, the plots are not necessarily just about young adults. "Anon(ymous)" is a contemporary retelling of Homer's Odyssey, set in a dirty North American city, and "Five Fingers of Funk" is a mature musical celebrating the roots of hip-hop while dealing with issues of poverty and drugs. In "The Lost Boys of Sudan," three Dinka refugees flee the horrors of war and begin a harrowing yet humorous journey that takes them to Fargo, ND. And "Prom" is played out as a frenetic battle between students and chaperones. Each of these selections has a distinctive voice, honoring adolescents as both actor and audience capable of understanding and engaging in today's complex issues. This collection should be a welcome addition for drama and English teachers, as well as for their students.—Betty S. Evans, Missouri State University, Springfield