TAKE THE MIC

Central themes emerge in this collection of short stories by a diverse and representative group of authors: courage, bravery, and a refusal to be silenced.

In two stories by Darcie Little Badger (contributor: Mythic Journeys, 2019, etc.), Lipan Apache Grace won’t be forced into anything, either by boys or so-called allies. Samira Ahmed’s (Internment, 2019, etc.) story in verse “Are You the Good Kind of Muslim?” shines a light on Islamophobia and how marginalized people cope with bigotry. In “Aurora Rising” by Yamile Saied Méndez (Where Are You From?, 2019, etc.), Rory, whose mother is from Argentina, won’t back down to appease abusive white “friends.” Laura Silverman (editor: It's a Whole Spiel, 2019, etc.) chronicles in “Ruth” how a Jewish book blogger addresses internet trolls—and casual anti-Semitism from a friend. Jason Reynolds (contributor: Black Enough, 2019, etc.) and Keah Brown (The Pretty One, 2019, etc.) contribute poems on the cracks in U.S. society, revolution, and the myriad manifestations of resistance, including being #DisabledAndCute. Author and cartoonist Connie Sun contributes a short graphic chapter on heartbreak and hope. Some entries are more successful than others, but overall this is a solid and relevant anthology in which readers of many backgrounds will see their lives mirrored.

This ambitious collection is ultimately both worthwhile and timely.