I do not to like short stories: they have the annoying tendency to end just as I'm beginning to enjoy the characters. But I do love legend, myths and fairytales. Bruce Coville challenged his fellow author to submit stories --- their common theme being that the protagonist was caught in a state where he or she isn't quite human. This collection of mermaids, gorgons and selkies provide a wonderfully entertaining time while asking us to wonder at what precisely does it mean to be human, a question people have been asking since the beginning of time.

All of the stories are well written, which I expected considering that the credits read like an all-star line up of contemporary fantasy writers. The thing that makes the anthology interesting is how the stories play together in the mind to form a single work even as they remain separate creations. Dusie, from Nancy Springer's "Becoming" is the girl at the next desk at school who has awaken to find that her hair has been transformed into snakes while Princess Eleanor in Jude Man Dell's "Princess Dragon Blood" is both a fairytale princess and a mighty warrior at the same time.  

The question of how and when are we human and when we are not is presented both forcefully and subtly. The authors use the short story form well, allowing the reader to think about the stories and ask themselves what the question means both personally and to humans in general. HALF HUMAN also explores what it feels like to not "fit in". While these characters may have extras --- like wings or tails --- their stories are touching and familiar to any kid who feels left out. If Harry Potter whet your appetite for fantasy or if you simply want to read something a bit shorter, pick up HALF-HUMAN. Your reading time will be time well spent.

   --- Reviewed by Cassia Von Arsdale