Synopsis:
In partnership with We Need Diverse Books, thirteen of the most recognizable, diverse authors come together in this remarkable YA anthology featuring ten short stories, a graphic short story, and a one-act play from Walter Dean Myers never before in-print.
Careful--you are holding fresh ink. And not hot-off-the-press, still-drying-in-your-hands ink. Instead, you are holding twelve stories with endings that are still being written--whose next chapters are up to you.
Because these stories are meant to be read. And shared.
Thirteen of the most accomplished YA authors deliver a label-defying anthology that includes ten short stories, a graphic novel, and a one-act play. This collection will inspire you to break conventions, bend the rules, and color outside the lines. All you need is fresh ink.
Publishing Co.: Random House Children's Crown Books for Young Readers
Rating:★★★
Review:
I received this eARC copy from the Random House Children's via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
I really enjoyed seven out of the twelve stories, four I thought were just "okay", and one I skipped entirely because I just wasn't feeling it. I love the different messages, in all of the different walks of life that this collection puts out. Most of these were so good that I just want a whole novel wrapped around those characters and their stories alone.
To get specific about a couple of my favorite stories:
I really liked Don't Pass Me by Eric Gansworth for two specific reasons: 1. We don't get to see too many Native American stories often & 2. I love how it's telling you to be yourself no matter what, even if it might make life a little harder on you than it is on others (A.K.A our Caucasian brothers and sisters)
Tags by Walter Dean Myers is the 1 act play included the anthology and I love that it is focused on gun violence and gang retaliation. I like the whole concept and the ending of the play but I didn't care too much for how it started out. I wish it would have started out a little more cleaned up then it did.
One of my top three stories was Why I Learned to Cook by Sara Farizan and it is also one of the lgbt stories. I was happy that I felt a connection with all of the characters but I felt my strongest connection with Yasaman's grandma almost like she was very my own. Also, I really enjoyed how cute and gradually progressive this story was, and I'm not usually a fan of "cute" romance. There was something about it that didn't just slap you in the face and it wasn't at all insta-lovey.
A Boy's Duty by Sharon G. Flake is another of my top three. The main thing that made this story stand out from the other eleven was how in depth it went for a short story and how touching it was. This particular story is set back in WWII days so you can't help but want to hug, love, and build up the characters.
"Words matter as much as actions," I added. "They might only be letters on a wall, but I feel like the graffiti claimed my mental space." Melissa de la Cruz's One Voice: A Something in Between Story did not disappoint the masses!! I loved this story and it's message so much. In today's society people have it stuck in their heads that if someone is not PHYSICALLY touching you then it is then not causing you harm...and by now we should all know that is a load of bull. What made this so amazing and mind grabbing to me was that Melissa didn't say anything particularly spectacular or anything that we already haven't heard but it really leaves it's mark. Sometimes words leave a bigger scar the an actual knife will and we see it happen every day, sad but true. I think it goes without saying that this was my number one.
I think this anthology is for many that feel like they're not included in YA or in the book world and I would really love an Adult collection like this.
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