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)

To make multiculturalism the theme of an anthology is like making LIFE the theme. Yes, we do need to redress the Eurocentric bias that has dominated kids' reading for so long, but a collection still needs some unifying principle other than that the 14 stories are about lots of American ethnic groups. However, there are some beautiful pieces here, and individual stories will stimulate classroom discussion. In fact, this collection is being used in a pilot volunteer program in New York City's middle schools. Lesley Namioka's The All-American Slurp is a hilarious comedy about table manners across cultures; Grace Paley's The Loudest Voice is a rich story about a Jewish girl in her school's Christmas play. Francisco Jim{‚}enez's The Circuit is a heartbreaking account of a migrant child laborer. Some of the best stories--such as Gish Jen's The White Umbrella and Langston Hughes' Thank You, M'am--have a poignant humor that makes us see how we are all vulnerable, all connected. (Reviewed Sept. 1, 1993)

America's diversity is evident in the carefully selected anthology of fourteen short stories by established contemporary writers of books for both children and adults. A common thread in the tales of immigrant and minority childhood experiences in America is the affirmation of the human spirit. Poignant, humorous, and warm, the brief tales will aid youngsters in understanding themselves and others.

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)

Gr 7-12-Fourteen short stories about growing up in America's diverse society. Written by such authors as Robert Cormier, Langston Hughes, Lensey Namioka, Grace Paley, Gary Soto, and Michele Wallace, they range from powerful to poignant to downright hilarious. Readers will come away from this collection understanding what it is like to be a migrant worker, an African-American child in a white school, or a Jewish child cast in a Christmas pageant. The Wrong Lunch Line'' details the problems a Latina has when trying to eat with her best friend, who is Jewish; the Chinese-American Lin family has trouble dining inThe All-American Slurp.'' While all but one of these stories have been published previously, it is a treat to have them pulled together here, reflecting as they do the dignity of individuals and the strength of family bonds across different cultures.-Diane S. Marton, Arlington County Library, VA