ellieafterall's review against another edition
3.0
good intentions but mediocre executions.
review to come. (also, mediocre executions is a sick band name)
review to come. (also, mediocre executions is a sick band name)
megjonesy's review against another edition
5.0
These real life stories written from perspectives of young women in our country (many are minorities and/or victims of sexual assault) are eye-opening and powerful. One experience in particular was told by a girl who references her hometown of Springfield, MO.
lifeofaliterarynerd's review against another edition
4.0
"Ours are the marginalized voices they refuse to listen to. This book, this act of resistance, says our stories matter. Our lives matter. Our voices will not be silenced."This anthology review is going to be a little different than my other ones because it’s nonfiction stories, and it feel weird reviewing and rating each story individually when it’s someone’s personal experiences. I’ve been looking forward to this anthology since I read The Nowhere Girls by Amy Reed last year and I discovered that she was editing an anthology about race, religion, activism, feminism, and the female experience.
I found many of the stories to be captivating and raw. Some of my favorites in the collection was “My American Dream” by Sandhya Menon celebrating everything that makes you who you are. “Finding My Feminism” by Amy Reed who shared a moving condemnation of rape culture and what being an activist means to her. “Tiny Battles” by Maureen Goo detailed the “tiny battles” that makes up your life’s journey and the powerful motivator anger can be. “Myth Making: In the Wake of Hardship” by Somaiya Daud discussed the complexities of intersecting identities. These stories all felt incredibly personal, while also universal - which I think is the highest praise I can give this anthology.
Overall, I really did enjoy this anthology. Now it can start to make you emotional, I drifted between sadness and anger a lot, but it does pull you in. And this was really one of my first experiences with nonfiction, but I was invested because it was stories from authors I love or subject matter that I value. Our Stories, Our Voices is a powerhouse collection of truths that need to be shared from an incredibly diverse range of YA authors that allows their voices to shine in an uncertain time.
I received a copy of the book from Simon Pulse via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
ceris's review against another edition
This is a collection of personal essays that respond to Trump being elected. I’m sure that these YA authors needed to write these essays, but I’m not convinced that I needed to read them. Maybe it was just too one note? It was a lot of feelings and rage and trauma that were brought up by the election, and individually they were all decent and valid, but put together they didn’t have a very interesting variety.
drpschmidt's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyed some stories more than others, but this is a solid anthology of women telling stories of formative experiences.
afireadsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
"Change happens when we speak up and when we listen, when we have empathy and compassion, when we stand up and empower ourselves and others. What happens next is up to all of us; it is what we create together."
msflynnreads's review against another edition
4.0
Outstanding- emotional, intelligent and thought provoking
agw622's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.5
Like any anthology there will be some that hit home more than others. However, this book does well to give voice to many walks of life. It is good from an educational purpose to see life from all walks.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Antisemitism, Body shaming, Bullying, Islamophobia, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Hate crime, Racism, and Rape
brandinh's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 Stars
Written in response to the 2016 election, these authors share their personal experiences, fears, and ways they continue to find strength and hope. Brandy Colbert’s powerful essay delves into our nation’s shameful history of racism that still permeates society and explores her intersectional experience as a black female - it is both moving and enlightening. Maureen Goo tackles the power of rage and fighting back in her raw, cutting essay.
Julie Murphy’s inspiring essay sees her embracing her fatness and using it to fuel her activism.
Aisha Saeed’s entry that details the openly accepted bigotry she faced after the 2016 election will infuriate you, but her ability to accept that only she can define who she is and her determination to persist will embolden you. This collection has a strong leftist and feminist bent, and is filled with stories that will resonate with women across the country (both young and old). A recommended read, but schools in more conservative communities should be aware of, and prepared for, potential challenges.
Written in response to the 2016 election, these authors share their personal experiences, fears, and ways they continue to find strength and hope. Brandy Colbert’s powerful essay delves into our nation’s shameful history of racism that still permeates society and explores her intersectional experience as a black female - it is both moving and enlightening. Maureen Goo tackles the power of rage and fighting back in her raw, cutting essay.
Julie Murphy’s inspiring essay sees her embracing her fatness and using it to fuel her activism.
Aisha Saeed’s entry that details the openly accepted bigotry she faced after the 2016 election will infuriate you, but her ability to accept that only she can define who she is and her determination to persist will embolden you. This collection has a strong leftist and feminist bent, and is filled with stories that will resonate with women across the country (both young and old). A recommended read, but schools in more conservative communities should be aware of, and prepared for, potential challenges.