America Street

A collection of short stories that brilliantly capture defining moments in the lives of a diverse group of American children and teens.First published in 1993, this updated anthology, with 12 out of the 20 stories new to this edition, is a series of snapshots of the lives of youth growing up in the United States. From the black kindergartner in Edward P. Jones' "The First Day" to the 11-year-old Winnebago girl in Susan Power's "Drum Kiss" to the teenage daughter of Israeli immigrants in Rivka Galchen's "Yiddische Baby," the characters span a broad range of stages of childhood. The protagonists are as diverse as the authors, and the contributions vary in length and narrative structure; some of the shortest and most experimental--such as Justin Torres' "Heritage"--are the most poetic and powerful. Although some stories date from the 1940s to the '80s, characters grapple with timeless issues like divorce, loss, jealousy, and unrequited love, and the voices feel fresh and authentic. Refreshingly, most of the protagonists express a deep but conflicted love of their families and heritages, resulting in nuanced narratives that feel honest and relevant. Unfortunately, while the collection features racial, ethnic, religious, and class diversity, it features no queer or disabled characters. The prominent list of contributors includes Sandra Cisneros, Gish Jen, Langston Hughes, Gary Soto, and Naomi Shihab Nye.A lyrical, poignant collection of voices that reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of modern America. (about the authors) (Anthology. 12-adult)

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June 14, 2019

Gr 7 Up-A collection of short stories featuring a diverse range of young people growing up in America from the 20th century to the present. This anthology is a revised version of the 1993 text and features a combination of new and returning stories from authors such as Sandra Cisneros, Gary Soto, and Naomi Shihab Nye. The stories are short and all are realistic in nature and centered on the experience of people of color in America. Veera Hiranandani's "Passing the Bread" depicts a Jewish-Hindu girl having Shabbat dinner with her family soon after the death of her cousin, seamlessly blending cultural experiences, while Gish Jen's "The White Umbrella" centers on the experience of the Chinese narrator's mother going to work and forgetting her at a piano lesson during heavy rain. The thoughtfully written stories are united by the overarching feeling of being an outsider, no matter the setting or time period, but the lack of any LGBTQ characters makes the collection feel outdated. Students looking for a more inclusive recreational read might be better served by Black Enough, edited by Ibi Zoboi or All Out, edited by Saundra Mitchell. VERDICT A solid selection for school libraries serving middle and high school students, while an additional purchase for public libraries.-Kelsey Socha, Ventress Memorial Library, Marshfield, MA

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