Bluebirds Used to Croon in the Choir

Twins who anesthetize and dress up small animals to cheer their grieving mother; childhood friends who return every year to the amusement park near the site of their kidnapping; an awkward teen trying to find his way among the ruins of Greek mythology camp; brothers brought together by stolen airport baggage: these are some of the characters who populate Joe Meno's first collection of stories. Oddballs and charmers, they are souls not so much lost as wandering, looking for something better, trying to explain or, if all else fails, to entertain. Meno's work - celebrated for its ""unflinching honesty"" (""Entertainment Weekly"") and ""poetic and visceral style"" (""Booklist"") - resonates with the unmistakable magic and curious mystery of modern life.