jessicachung13's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
slow-paced
5.0
ilewis28's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
theshaggyshepherd's review against another edition
4.0
Come On In // edited by Adi Alsaid
When I first saw this book, I knew I had to read it. I am an immigrant myself that just recently became a citizen. But I am on the end of the spectrum of immigrants that is extremely privileged when it comes to the ease of receiving the papers that allowed me to come here, stay here, and then eventually become a citizen. I am also married to a person that is much closer to the other end of that spectrum. We’ve had many conversations about this in the past and it continues to be a frequent topic, especially in the current political climate.
There are 15 short stories in this anthology that have authors and characters from all over the world. While they speak about many different cultures, the thing they do have in common is that they – or their families – have or are crossing borders in these stories. Despite my own privilege that allowed me to avoid many of the struggles addressed here, I was touched by the many things I could relate to anyways, such as saying goodbye to the many little things in your life, the worry for your undocumented friends, the conflicting feelings about your homeland and your current home, the pull between who your family expects you to be and who you want to be, learning a new language through books, and closed borders.
I enjoyed the majority of the stories but often felt that they ended too soon. As soon as I got attached to the characters, we would get to the end and I would have to readjust to a new narrator. The way they ended though often left me with a very good feeling because of a lesson the narrator learned or a realization they had. I did really struggle with a couple short stories but overall, I was happy with them. My favorites are the last three in the book. They are Hard to Say by Sharon Morse, Confessions of an Ecuadorkian by Zoraida Cordova, and Fleeing, Leaving, Moving by Adi Alsaid. These and a few others are authors that I will be keeping my eye on in the future as they really struck something in me that is looking to read more from them!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
When I first saw this book, I knew I had to read it. I am an immigrant myself that just recently became a citizen. But I am on the end of the spectrum of immigrants that is extremely privileged when it comes to the ease of receiving the papers that allowed me to come here, stay here, and then eventually become a citizen. I am also married to a person that is much closer to the other end of that spectrum. We’ve had many conversations about this in the past and it continues to be a frequent topic, especially in the current political climate.
There are 15 short stories in this anthology that have authors and characters from all over the world. While they speak about many different cultures, the thing they do have in common is that they – or their families – have or are crossing borders in these stories. Despite my own privilege that allowed me to avoid many of the struggles addressed here, I was touched by the many things I could relate to anyways, such as saying goodbye to the many little things in your life, the worry for your undocumented friends, the conflicting feelings about your homeland and your current home, the pull between who your family expects you to be and who you want to be, learning a new language through books, and closed borders.
I enjoyed the majority of the stories but often felt that they ended too soon. As soon as I got attached to the characters, we would get to the end and I would have to readjust to a new narrator. The way they ended though often left me with a very good feeling because of a lesson the narrator learned or a realization they had. I did really struggle with a couple short stories but overall, I was happy with them. My favorites are the last three in the book. They are Hard to Say by Sharon Morse, Confessions of an Ecuadorkian by Zoraida Cordova, and Fleeing, Leaving, Moving by Adi Alsaid. These and a few others are authors that I will be keeping my eye on in the future as they really struck something in me that is looking to read more from them!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
kjholly's review against another edition
Had to return it to the library. Wasn’t bad but felt pretty surface level at times
varshiniramaraj's review against another edition
4.0
I've been into anthologies a lot more because they give me that natural stopping point (which also helps me read more, than pause at a random page, because oh man I can totally finish this short story kinda situation). Would recommend!
I was able to borrow both the audiobook and the e-book from my local library which helped loads, because I could switch between listening to it during walks and reading it while at home.
The Trip by Sona Charaipotra hit me the hardest, I made the mistake of listening to it during work and yeah I did not get any work done while listening to that story. When I was White by Justine Larbalestier was also very well written. Hard to Say by Sharon Morse made me think about talking in a mix of Hindi, English and Tamil with my mostly Tamil-speaking grandma.
I was able to borrow both the audiobook and the e-book from my local library which helped loads, because I could switch between listening to it during walks and reading it while at home.
The Trip by Sona Charaipotra hit me the hardest, I made the mistake of listening to it during work and yeah I did not get any work done while listening to that story. When I was White by Justine Larbalestier was also very well written. Hard to Say by Sharon Morse made me think about talking in a mix of Hindi, English and Tamil with my mostly Tamil-speaking grandma.
resslesa's review against another edition
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 against another edition
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
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 against another edition
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 against another edition
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.