resslesa's review
5.0
Wow this is an awesome collection for every middle and high school library. I was dreading a little bit reading really depressing stories, but this isn’t. Instead, tiny snippets of so many different cultures within the US and how families arrived and their current struggles. The stories stay upbeat and all but one is free from major cursing for MG audiences. Great for teachers to use as they are well crafted and develop empathy bit also are just funny and poignant stories of teens.
msethna's review
4.0
Adi Alsaid put together a welcomed compilation of short stories from some diverse authors. While I won’t use every story with my students, I know those who choose this novel will find at least something in here they can connect to. Thank you to NetGalley for the Advanced Reader copy. I plan to purchase my own to share with students back at school.
greylandreviews's review against another edition
3.0
3 stars
ARC provided by InkYard Press through NetGalley for honest review
I enjoyed this anthology. It kept my interest from all the different points a view and experiences these characters had in it. Overall favorites are The Wedding by Sara Farizan and Confessions of a Ecuadorkian by Zoraida Cordova.
Trigger Warnings: racism, violence, and mentions of bombing./b>
ARC provided by InkYard Press through NetGalley for honest review
I enjoyed this anthology. It kept my interest from all the different points a view and experiences these characters had in it. Overall favorites are The Wedding by Sara Farizan and Confessions of a Ecuadorkian by Zoraida Cordova.
Trigger Warnings: racism, violence, and mentions of bombing./b>
rfonta69801's review
4.0
3.75
Character Development: Since this is short stories, I think I would've liked a tiny bit more development.
Diversity: Obviously.
Likes: I loved the meaning of this book. It taught me so much.
Dislikes: At some parts i felt like the writing style didn't work with me
What mood should you read this book in?: Emotional
Pace: Fast
Likable Characters?: Most of them
Characters or Plot?: Character mostly.
Overall, I thought I would like some of the authors more than i did
Character Development: Since this is short stories, I think I would've liked a tiny bit more development.
Diversity: Obviously.
Likes: I loved the meaning of this book. It taught me so much.
Dislikes: At some parts i felt like the writing style didn't work with me
What mood should you read this book in?: Emotional
Pace: Fast
Likable Characters?: Most of them
Characters or Plot?: Character mostly.
Overall, I thought I would like some of the authors more than i did
anakuroma's review
3.0
TW: racism, bullying, ableism
Some were wonderful and others I seemed to have missed the plot of them? There were a couple that just ran through a series of events without much structure. But honestly the good ones were worth it.
Some were wonderful and others I seemed to have missed the plot of them? There were a couple that just ran through a series of events without much structure. But honestly the good ones were worth it.
melindagallagher's review
4.0
I am not a big short story fan because just about the time I get invested in the story and characters, it is over. I end up wanting to know more. However, this is a good compilation of stories of immigration, emigration, finding a home, and fitting in. From the perspective of the immigrants or first-generation Americans, you get a look into the struggle to find a home while maintaining their culture. The book is eye-opening and a great addition to social studies curriculum and any study of diversity and culture.
llbaxter's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
boogiebeez's review
5.0
overall rating: 5/5
tw: racism, xenophobia, economic struggle
"The immigrant story is not one story. It is a collection"
My father came to the U.S as a student in the late 90's. It was difficult to be a bearded 30 year old Muslim man, especially at the height of 9/11. Him and the rest of my family have felt the struggle and confusion of being immigrants in a country of immigrants that doesn't really accept immigrants, and to leave all our family behind. But my parents also escaped the restrictive adulthood they would have had in North Africa; no good paying jobs, bad eductional system, unsafe enviromnent. This collection of stories amazingly illustrates the toil, trouble, joy, strenght that it takes to be an immigrant in America.
Individual ratings (out of 5)
ALL THE COLORS OF GOODBYE- ★★★★
THE WEDDING-★★★★★
WHERE I'M FROM- ★★
SALVATION & THE SEA- ★★★
VOLVÉNDOME-★
THE TRIP-★★★★
THE CURANDERA & THE ALCHEMIST- ★★★★★
A BIGGER TENT- ★★★
FIRST WORDS-★★★★★
FAMILY/EVERYTHING-★★★.5
WHEN I WAS WHITE-★★★★★
FROM Golden State- ★★★★
HARD TO SAY-★★★★.5
CONFESSIONS OF AN ECUADORKIAN-★★★★★
FLEEING, LEAVING, MOVING-★★★.5
tw: racism, xenophobia, economic struggle
"The immigrant story is not one story. It is a collection"
My father came to the U.S as a student in the late 90's. It was difficult to be a bearded 30 year old Muslim man, especially at the height of 9/11. Him and the rest of my family have felt the struggle and confusion of being immigrants in a country of immigrants that doesn't really accept immigrants, and to leave all our family behind. But my parents also escaped the restrictive adulthood they would have had in North Africa; no good paying jobs, bad eductional system, unsafe enviromnent. This collection of stories amazingly illustrates the toil, trouble, joy, strenght that it takes to be an immigrant in America.
Individual ratings (out of 5)
ALL THE COLORS OF GOODBYE- ★★★★
THE WEDDING-★★★★★
WHERE I'M FROM- ★★
SALVATION & THE SEA- ★★★
VOLVÉNDOME-★
THE TRIP-★★★★
THE CURANDERA & THE ALCHEMIST- ★★★★★
A BIGGER TENT- ★★★
FIRST WORDS-★★★★★
FAMILY/EVERYTHING-★★★.5
WHEN I WAS WHITE-★★★★★
FROM Golden State- ★★★★
HARD TO SAY-★★★★.5
CONFESSIONS OF AN ECUADORKIAN-★★★★★
FLEEING, LEAVING, MOVING-★★★.5
cgroup6's review
5.0
This is a must read. These essays are fantastic. Immigration to the US is not something I have experienced personally (other than assisting others in obtaining their visas - I do that from time to time as part of my job). But I know it is a complicated and extremely difficult process to navigate - one that is getting more and more complex unfortunately. There is a disproportionate (& discriminatory) approach to immigration to the US - which is touched on explicitly in the last essay and regularly alluded to in the others.
All of the styles are different and I appreciated hearing so many different voices.
I received this book as a free ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publisher, this review is my honest opinion of this book.
All of the styles are different and I appreciated hearing so many different voices.
I received this book as a free ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publisher, this review is my honest opinion of this book.