Starred Review ALA Booklist (Sat Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

Starred Review Through poetic verse and infused with the contributors' native languages, these 116 autobiographical short stories from black, Asian, and Latina young women are thoughtful, earnest, raw, regretful, angry, and impassioned. They were written while the young women were members of Girls Write Now, a New York writing and mentoring organization for predominantly high-need girls of color. Ranging from just a paragraph to several pages in length, these stories are loosely unified by their subject matter. Many girls explore their loving (or not so loving) relationships with their mothers and grandmothers. The stories delve into topics like being objectified by men, suicide, gender and sexuality, immigration and assimilation, gang violence, microaggressions, and being raised by dads. Inspiring advice by authors Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Roxane Gay, Quiara Alegría Hudes, and Janet Mock, among others, are interspersed throughout. "She was looking at the ground as if she'd broken her neck," from Kiana Marte's story, "Easy-Bake Oven," perfectly describes someone too afraid to look another in the eye. Diamond Abreu's "Why Obsessions Matter" recounts how she is "the purest form of myself" when in a beloved comic-book store. Some stories are more polished than others, but the authors' authentic experiences will elicit strong emotional reactions from readers and maybe even encourage them to write their own. Strongly recommended.

Kirkus Reviews

A diverse group of teenage girls from New York City offer glimpses into their lives in this collection of short autobiographical essays interspersed with pieces of advice from leading women authors of today.As a shy eighth-grader, Diamond Abreu found a sanctuary that released her inhibitions in the world of a comic-book store, showing how passion can open doors and build bridges. Dominican immigrant Alexa Betances muses over a photo of the father, who unexpectedly abandoned her family when she was 3, while Charlene Vasquez claims her autism as her own normal and speaks out against stereotypes. Iemi Hernandez-Kim wisely points out the futility of the metal detectors installed in her school, referencing a student who used a house key as a weapon against a security guard. Jennifer Lee reflects on her mother's sacrifices, both in leaving Korea and in all she has done for her daughters in America. This volume gives the girls a platform to share some of their most intimate stories. In between essays, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie sums up this collection by encouraging young women to embrace the honesty of their stories and refuse to succumb to fears about likability. Elsewhere, Francine Prose speaks to the power of writing to allow us to freely express ourselves.A celebration of young female writers that would be a great addition to classroom shelves as an inspiring example of honest writing. (Nonfiction. 12-18)

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

This inspiring anthology shares personal essays from 116 participants in Girls Write Now, a writing and mentorship organization for New York City teens. While each contributor-s voice is unique, themes emerge: cultural identity, familial conflict, grieving and loss, and combatting prejudice. Laced with advice from 10 female writers, including Roxane Gay, Zadie Smith, and Gloria Steinem, the entries reflect varying, heartfelt emotions. Lamenting her family members- dashed aspirations, Danni Green questions, -Who am I supposed to look up to? Who is supposed to show me how I can make my dreams real?- On the cusp of starting college, contributor Luna Rojas writes gratefully of her own accomplishments: -I know that I do it for myself as well as my mother-who has done nothing short of everything to get me here.- This candid compilation rounds out notes of confusion and resentment with resilience, hope, and trust in the power of writing. Ages 13-up. (Oct.)

School Library Journal (Mon Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

Gr 7 Up-Collecting two decades of work, this spirited anthology contains essays from 116 teen participants in the Girls Write Now after-school program in New York City. The pieces are briefsome as short as two paragraphs, with few spanning more than three pages. The collection explores topics such as faith, family, physical and mental illness, grief, racism, bullying, activism, cultural identity, and more. Standout essays include Romaissaa Benzizoune's "Hijabi or Jihadi?," Marquisele Mercedes's "Life in Odd Numbers," and Emily del Carmen Ramirez's "Rising." The collection makes for a rich reading experience, but it lacks LGBTQ voices (there were as many entries about training brastwo each). The essays are interspersed with quotations from figures such as Roxane Gay, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and Alice Walker. VERDICT Purchase for young writers interested in reading works by their peers or where personal essays are in demand. Alex Graves, Manchester City Library, NH