rebeccazh's review against another edition
3.0
A collection of short stories by YA authors about the immigrant experience. The stories are of varying quality but there were some really good ones (especially the one by Zoraida Cordova). A quick and enjoyable read.
libscote's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
An excellent anthology looking at different immigrant experiences.
lattes_lipstick_literature's review against another edition
5.0
Ever read an anthology where each story caused an impact you felt in your chest? Reading Come on in was like that. Honestly, I'm not sure if I am going to be able to adequately write how this book made me feel, I am afraid that whatever I saw won't do this book justice, but I am going to try.
The first adjective that I would use is powerful. The pen is supposedly mightier than the sword but there are not a lot of books that can display this. However, the stories in this book have the ability to showcase just that. The second adjective would be magical. Each story was written in a way where I felt I was transported there right along beside the characters.
I know I will never truly be able to know what any of these characters really feel considering I was born in the U.S. but my mother wasn't and it really puts into perspective of what she must have felt and gone through. it makes me feel closer to her. One of the things this anthology does, is give you information about each author after the story and since I absolutely loved each one (which is a rarity for me), so I now have a list of authors to add to my must read list.
Overall, this book is a must read to me.
*A Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this for an honest and unbiased review*
The first adjective that I would use is powerful. The pen is supposedly mightier than the sword but there are not a lot of books that can display this. However, the stories in this book have the ability to showcase just that. The second adjective would be magical. Each story was written in a way where I felt I was transported there right along beside the characters.
I know I will never truly be able to know what any of these characters really feel considering I was born in the U.S. but my mother wasn't and it really puts into perspective of what she must have felt and gone through. it makes me feel closer to her. One of the things this anthology does, is give you information about each author after the story and since I absolutely loved each one (which is a rarity for me), so I now have a list of authors to add to my must read list.
Overall, this book is a must read to me.
*A Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this for an honest and unbiased review*
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.