When you’re young, there’s this special time at night when everyone else has gone to bed where you can get in all kinds of mischief and the night feels magical. “Up All Night” is a collection of short stories that all take place during this time of night. Each story features characters who are doing everything from celebrating prom to exploring an abandoned, ghost-filled hospital. The common themes of exploration, fitting in, and coming into your own are all expressed throughout each story.

The thing I was most impressed with was the diversity represented in each story. There were perspectives from LGBTQIA+ and disabled main characters, as well a variety of races and cultures. Because this was a YA book, I was happy to see so much inclusion and celebration of all kinds of people. There’s someone for everyone to relate to.

There were some real standout stories in my mind – particularly the first story with a great twist ending, as well as a queer romance between a teen superhero and his crush. The best part of this collection is that so many different genres are represented as well (from horror to romance). As with any anthology, there were a few stories that didn’t quite hit the mark for me. But, overall, the high-quality writing from well-known authors like Karen McManus, Maurene Goo, Marieke Nijkamp, Tiffany D. Jackson, and Kathleen Glasgow sets this collection apart as a must-read for any YA short-story lovers.

4 stars

*Free ARC provided by Algonquin Young Readers in exchange for an honest review*