This chunky anthology includes over 40 short stories and poems from the crème of the crop of Australian writers. This includes the fabulous Steven Herrick, Barry Jonsberg, Ursula Dubosarsky, John Larkin, Isobelle Carmody and Susanne Gervay. The list goes on.

The stories are grouped in genre, from science fiction, ghost stories, romance, humour, crime and so forth, ending with a three-page graphic story from the hilarious Leigh Hobbs, and finally poetry. Some stories appealed more than others but there are so many favourites. Bill Condon’s, ‘A Dog of His Own’ made me remember new puppies in the house but also the editor’s own short story, ‘The Immortality Backup’, about a new technology, a vascular brain monitor, that enables us to learn a dog’s story through their memory. Shaun Tan’s ‘The Bird King’ is so fantastical and fairytale like. The poetry in the back of the book is also a favourite, enhanced by black-and-white illustrations from Anne Ryan, which also appear throughout the book.

This is a great collection for younger readers and young adults. Short stories make it easy for readers to dip in and out of, which also makes it a terrific book for those who may struggle with reading. There would be much to discuss around the stories in the classroom and the publisher has a teachers’ resource available.

Paul Collins has published many anthologies and he has again created another terrific collection with Borderlands.

Reviewed by Jane Stephens

Age Guide 11+