A lyrical, poignant collection of voices that reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of modern America.
A collection of short stories that brilliantly capture defining moments in the lives of a diverse group of American children and teens.
First published in 1993, this updated anthology, with 12 out of the 20 stories new to this edition, is a series of snapshots of the lives of youth growing up in the United States. From the black kindergartner in Edward P. Jones’ “The First Day” to the 11-year-old Winnebago girl in Susan Power’s “Drum Kiss” to the teenage daughter of Israeli immigrants in Rivka Galchen’s “Yiddische Baby,” the characters span a broad range of stages of childhood. The protagonists are as diverse as the authors, and the contributions vary in length and narrative structure; some of the shortest and most experimental—such as Justin Torres’ “Heritage”—are the most poetic and powerful. Although some stories date from the 1940s to the ’80s, characters grapple with timeless issues like divorce, loss, jealousy, and unrequited love, and the voices feel fresh and authentic. Refreshingly, most of the protagonists express a deep but conflicted love of their families and heritages, resulting in nuanced narratives that feel honest and relevant. Unfortunately, while the collection features racial, ethnic, religious, and class diversity, it features no queer or disabled characters. The prominent list of contributors includes Sandra Cisneros, Gish Jen, Langston Hughes, Gary Soto, and Naomi Shihab Nye.
A lyrical, poignant collection of voices that reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of modern America. (about the authors) (Anthology. 12-adult)Pub Date: March 12, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-89255-491-1
Page Count: 224
Publisher: Persea Books
Review Posted Online: Feb. 20, 2019
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An authentic, relatable teen protagonist, an all-too-real issue, and illustrations that resonate.
A teenage boy must overcome fear and self-doubt to stop being bullied in Langan’s YA novel, one in a series.
The Bluford High series delves into the interconnected stories of teenagers at a California high school who are dealing with difficult, sometimes-dangerous situations in their lives. (Popular with teen readers since 2001, the series, written by various authors, now consists of 24 novels.) This outstanding installment is an illustrated version of one of the first books in the series, featuring illustrator Purnell’s notably expressive pencil sketches. The narrative centers around Darrell, a 15-year-old Philadelphia transplant new to Bluford High. Looking young for his age, and having been bullied in the past, Darrell dreads going to a new school where he’ll have no friends. His mother’s advice is well meaning but clueless: “Just put a big, friendly smile on your face your first day there, honey, and by the end of the day you’ll have at least one nice friend.” His first day instead proves to be a disaster when he attracts the unwelcome attention of a bully. Darrell hides what’s happening to him, wanting to protect his hardworking single mother from worry. The situation soon becomes a nightmare as Darrell is forced to hand over his lunch money daily and take whatever cruelty the bully and his cronies dish out. The descriptions of the mockery and physical intimidation Darrell endures, and his shaking humiliation, are gut-wrenching. (When the bully calls him small, dumb, and poor, “the words were like sharp knives. Darrell knew they were true.”) Darrell’s discovery of his strengths doesn’t happen overnight; his growing self-awareness only comes after suffering dread about the new school and making awkward missteps that single him out as a target. His decision to stop appeasing the bully is a realistic evolution sparked by a sympathetic teacher, a book, an unexpected sport, and a new openness to friendships. The author underscores Darrell’s growth through his responses to a macho uncle whose two sons—one a bully-in-the-making, the other the sensitive target—mirror his own plight.
An authentic, relatable teen protagonist, an all-too-real issue, and illustrations that resonate.Pub Date: March 13, 2025
ISBN: 9781591947974
Page Count: 162
Publisher: Townsend Press
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2025
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A fun and scary slasher thriller.
A Fourth of July celebration turns deadly for a group of teens in Ross’ YA psychological thriller.
Eighteen-year-old Riley March and four girlfriends—Cam, Val, Nia, and Blake— are off on a celebratory Independence Day weekend away, their last before they all leave for college in the fall. Their destination is the exclusive and remote Palm Key Island, the perfect location for wealthy kids to spend their leisure time. Some of their other friends from school are there, too, including Riley’s crush, Sebastian. Riley needs to make sure no one finds out her biggest secret: She really doesn’t belong in this group, as she is not rich like her friends. Their weekend of sun, booze, and partying starts to go wrong when Val disappears after a night out clubbing—she’s presumably off with a boy—and warnings of an approaching hurricane sour the mood. As the group (joined by some male friends) hunkers down, trapped inside their rental with no internet or electricity while waiting for the storm to pass, tensions build and relationships start to unravel. They learn why their summer house rental is so cheap as casualties begin mount. The author’s compelling, fast-paced thriller pays homage to slasher movies and serial killer lore with a fun hook: “Things no longer seem fun and light anymore as I remember we’re about to be trapped in a hurricane—and in a murder house, no less. The only thing worse than that is being trapped in a hurricane, in a murder house, in complete darkness.” As the scares spiral, Ross maintains a tight focus on the complex, complicated relationship dynamics within the group of teen girls, all conveyed from Riley’s outsider/insider’s perspective. Still reeling from a close friend’s death by suicide the year before, the group’s secrets start to spill out, unveiling a history of bullying, competition, and privilege in a well-balanced narrative arc.
A fun and scary slasher thriller.Pub Date: June 13, 2023
ISBN: 978-0988256828
Page Count: 266
Publisher: Ic13 Books
Review Posted Online: June 1, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2023
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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