From Publishers Weekly
Urban teens take center stage in a pair of edgy short story collections. Waifs and Strays presents 15 previously published works by Canadian fantasy writer Charles de Lint, including "May This Be Your Last Sorrow" from The Essential Bordertown and "There's No Such Thing," which appeared in Yolen and Greenburg's anthology Vampires. In its first appearance, "Sisters," tells of precocious 16-year-old Appoline, a vampire ("Yeah, I drink blood. But it's not as gross as it sounds. And it's not as messy as it is in some of the movies") who plans to wait until her sister, Cassandra, turns 16 before turning her into one, too. Ages 12-up.Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Grade 8 Up-Mythic fiction is at its best in this anthology of stories of memorable heroines, rooted not in a secondary world but in an urban environment. The author introduces each selection, providing insight and interesting biographical information. The subject of two stories is a 16-year-old vampire named Apples who receives "the Gift" from a stranger during a Bryan Adams concert. She hopes to "turn" her sister Cassie when she is older, if she agrees, so they can live together forever. Poking fun at the television version of a teenage vampire, the heroine offers a more pragmatic view of her lot in life as she avenges evil doings in her neighborhood. In the section "Bordertown," where magic and reality coexist, an elf named Manda saves the life of a Harley-riding black man who is the neighborhood peacekeeper in a city rife with prejudice and violence. Elements of Robin Hood, Merlin, Native American mythology, and Celtic music weave through each story. Some of the heroines are humans who briefly tiptoe into a magical realm or are skeptical about its existence. De Lint's characters are often lonely and intelligent misfits whose self-discovery triumphs over plot. Described as "urban fantasy," these stories represent a hybrid genre for readers who only want one arm through the door into another world.Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NYCopyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Gr. 7-12. Whether set in Ottawa, Bordertown, or the made-up city of Newton somewhere in North America, de Lint's 16 stories evoke a sense of magic just beyond the ordinary world. His well-drawn characters are mostly outsiders whose lives are touched and changed by that often-elusive magic. In choosing the stories, de Lint went through all his short fiction, setting aside tales with teen protagonists. The only original piece here is "Sisters," a sequel to a story about teenage vampires that is also included in the collection. The other selections have been previously published in magazines or anthologies; one recently appeared in a slightly different form in The Green Man: Tales from the Mythic Forest, edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling. A showcase for the diversity of a popular fantasy writer, this will draw de Lint's fans and also serve as a good introduction to his work. Sally Estes
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Chronicle
"This is the perfect de Lint primer."

Book Description
Charles de Lint's remarkable novels and shorter fiction are, in a very real sense, coming of age stories. Here, for the first time, is a collection of his stories about teenagers&150a collection for teen and adult readers alike. From the streets of his famed Newford to the alleys of Bordertown to the realms of Faerie, this is storytelling that will transfix and delight, with characters who will linger in the mind&150many of them from his novels. Featuring an illuminating preface by acclaimed author, anthologist, and critic Terri Windling, Waifs and Strays is a must-own for de Lint fans, and an ideal introduction to his work for newcomers.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Charles de Lint's remarkable novels and short stories have always been about what lies beneath the surface; the ancient patterns we still follow today; and, most of all, the possibility of growth, change, kindness, magic, and love. In a very real sense, they are coming-of-age stories -- and his work has always included memorable teenage characters.

Here, at long last, is a collection of his stories about teenagers. From the streets of his famed Newford to the alleys of Bordertown to the realms of Faerie, this is storytelling that will transfix and delight, with characters who will linger in the mind -- many of them from his acclaimed novels. Featuring an illuminating preface by award-winning author, anthologist, and critic Terri Windling, Waifs and Strays is a must-own for de Lint fans, and an ideal introduction to his work for newcomers. Charles de Lint's writing will change the way you look at the world -- and your place in it.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Urban teens take center stage in a pair of edgy short story collections. Waifs and Strays presents 15 previously published works by Canadian fantasy writer Charles de Lint, including "May This Be Your Last Sorrow" from The Essential Bordertown and "There's No Such Thing," which appeared in Yolen and Greenburg's anthology Vampires. In its first appearance, "Sisters," tells of precocious 16-year-old Appoline, a vampire ("Yeah, I drink blood. But it's not as gross as it sounds. And it's not as messy as it is in some of the movies") who plans to wait until her sister, Cassandra, turns 16 before turning her into one, too.

School Library Journal

Gr 8 Up-Mythic fiction is at its best in this anthology of stories of memorable heroines, rooted not in a secondary world but in an urban environment. The author introduces each selection, providing insight and interesting biographical information. The subject of two stories is a 16-year-old vampire named Apples who receives "the Gift" from a stranger during a Bryan Adams concert. She hopes to "turn" her sister Cassie when she is older, if she agrees, so they can live together forever. Poking fun at the television version of a teenage vampire, the heroine offers a more pragmatic view of her lot in life as she avenges evil doings in her neighborhood. In the section "Bordertown," where magic and reality coexist, an elf named Manda saves the life of a Harley-riding black man who is the neighborhood peacekeeper in a city rife with prejudice and violence. Elements of Robin Hood, Merlin, Native American mythology, and Celtic music weave through each story. Some of the heroines are humans who briefly tiptoe into a magical realm or are skeptical about its existence. De Lint's characters are often lonely and intelligent misfits whose self-discovery triumphs over plot. Described as "urban fantasy," these stories represent a hybrid genre for readers who only want one arm through the door into another world.-Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews