A Thousand Beginnings and Endings
A Thousand Beginnings and Endings
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HarperCollins
Annotation: Fifteen authors of Asian descent reimagine the folklore and mythology of East and South Asia, in short stories ranging from fantasy to science fiction to contemporary, from romance to tales of revenge.
 
Reviews: 8
Catalog Number: #160910
Format: Publisher's Hardcover
Publisher: HarperCollins
Copyright Date: 2018
Edition Date: 2018 Release Date: 06/26/18
Pages: 328 pages
ISBN: 0-06-267115-4
ISBN 13: 978-0-06-267115-8
Dewey: Fic
LCCN: 2018020967
Dimensions: 22 cm.
Language: English
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

A collection of Asian myths and legends in which beloved stories of spirits, magic, family, love, and heartbreak are combined with elements from modern teens' lives.In this anthology, Asian authors from a variety of backgrounds retell some of their cultures' favorite myths and legends. It begins with a more traditional Filipino myth, retold by Roshani Chokshi, of a beautiful guardian spirit associated with Mount Makiling who falls in love with a human and loses her heart. Lori M. Lee changes a well-known Hmong children's folktale into a story of deception and androids. Pulling common elements from a Korean epic, E.C. Myers creates a tale filled with traditional magical beings and online role-playing games. After each short story, the author gives background information about their inspiration as well as a description of the original tale. Words and names from the different languages that are reflective of their cultures are integrated into each retelling. The tone of the stories varies from eerie to heartwarming to tragic, and with such a variety of emotion and experiences to explore, nearly any teen can find something to relate to. The editors and authors have pulled together to create an incredible anthology that will keep readers on the edges of their seats, wanting more.A marvelous anthology of retold Asian myths and legends tying the traditional and modern together and accessible to all teens of all backgrounds. (Mythology and folklore. 14-18)

Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews

A collection of Asian myths and legends in which beloved stories of spirits, magic, family, love, and heartbreak are combined with elements from modern teens' lives.In this anthology, Asian authors from a variety of backgrounds retell some of their cultures' favorite myths and legends. It begins with a more traditional Filipino myth, retold by Roshani Chokshi, of a beautiful guardian spirit associated with Mount Makiling who falls in love with a human and loses her heart. Lori M. Lee changes a well-known Hmong children's folktale into a story of deception and androids. Pulling common elements from a Korean epic, E.C. Myers creates a tale filled with traditional magical beings and online role-playing games. After each short story, the author gives background information about their inspiration as well as a description of the original tale. Words and names from the different languages that are reflective of their cultures are integrated into each retelling. The tone of the stories varies from eerie to heartwarming to tragic, and with such a variety of emotion and experiences to explore, nearly any teen can find something to relate to. The editors and authors have pulled together to create an incredible anthology that will keep readers on the edges of their seats, wanting more.A marvelous anthology of retold Asian myths and legends tying the traditional and modern together and accessible to all teens of all backgrounds. (Mythology and folklore. 14-18)

Horn Book (Wed Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

Also edited by Elsie Chapman. Fifteen authors of East and South Asian descent present original short stories inspired by culture-specific tales from their childhoods, followed by information about their source material. The stories achieve emotional depth and connection while showcasing each storyteller's unique literary voice. The co-editors' choice to preserve culturally authentic words and expressions allows fluidity in the storytelling and shows respect to young readers.

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Fifteen Asian authors-including Renee Ahdieh, Melissa de la Cruz, Aisha Saeed, and Rahul Kanakia-share genre-spanning short retellings of myths and legends traditional to their own cultures in this outstanding anthology edited by Chapman and We Need Diverse Books president Oh. Roshani Chokshi-s lush, elegant -Forbidden Fruit- sets the tone for the anthology, remixing the Filipino folktale of Maria Makiling, a mountain spirit spurned by her mortal love. In Alyssa Wong-s -Olivia-s Table,- a take on the traditional Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival, the protagonist inherits an important role in helping the dead pass on to the next plane of existence. Preeti Chhibber chooses a contemporary setting to showcase the Hindu festival Navratri in -Girls Who Twirl and Other Dangers,- in which a group of young girls resolves to teach an overconfident boy a much-deserved lesson. Each story is followed by a missive from its author, sharing inspiration and background on creative choices and changes. Thoughtfully compiled and written, this compendium is a must-read. Ages 13-up. (June)

Word Count: 82,738
Reading Level: 5.9
Interest Level: 9-12
Accelerated Reader: reading level: 5.9 / points: 13.0 / quiz: 198439 / grade: Upper Grades
Lexile: 840L
Guided Reading Level: G

Star-crossed lovers, meddling immortals, feigned identities, battles of wits, and dire warnings: these are the stuff of fairy tale, myth, and folklore that have drawn us in for centuries. 

Sixteen bestselling and acclaimed authors reimagine the folklore and mythology of East and South Asia in short stories that are by turns enchanting, heartbreaking, romantic, and passionate.

Compiled by We Need Diverse Books’s Ellen Oh and Elsie Chapman—who both contributed stories to this edition, as well—the authors included in this exquisite collection are: Renée Ahdieh, Sona Charaipotra, Preeti Chhibber, Roshani Chokshi, Aliette de Bodard, Melissa de la Cruz, Julie Kagawa, Rahul Kanakia, Lori M. Lee, E. C. Myers, Cindy Pon, Aisha Saeed, Shveta Thakrar, and Alyssa Wong.

A mountain loses her heart. Two sisters transform into birds to escape captivity. A young man learns the true meaning of sacrifice. A young woman takes up her mother’s mantle and leads the dead to their final resting place.

From fantasy to science fiction to contemporary, from romance to tales of revenge, these stories will beguile readers from start to finish. For fans of Neil Gaiman’s Unnatural Creatures and Ameriie’s New York Times–bestselling Because You Love to Hate Me.

Forbidden fruit / by Roshani Chokshi
Olivia's table / by Alyssa Wong
Steel skin / by Lori M. Lee
Still star-crossed / by Sona Charaipotra
The counting of vermillion beads / by Aliette De Bodard
The land of the morning calm / by E. C. Myers
The smile / by Aisha Saeed
Girls who twirl and other dangers / by Preeti Chhibber
Nothing into all / by Renee Ahdieh
Spear carrier / by Rahul Kanakia
Code of honor / by Melissa de la Cruz
Bullet, Butterfly / by Elsie Chapman
Daughter of the Sun / by Shveta Thakrar
The Crimson cloak / by Cindy Pon
Eyes like candlelight / by Julie Kagawa.

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