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bookisheri98's review
5.0
I received this as an e-galley off of netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
First off, I can't even give the stories individual ratings because they each earned between 4 to 5 stars from me so collectively this book was just five stars.
I loved each of these stories for different reasons, a couple of them were by authors I already liked so I didn't expect anything less. When I read the intro by Lamar I never felt so connected with a fellow reader. I am a black girl and when I was reading books growing up, I had the same feelings.
I always saw black girls as either stereotypes in books or the first person to killed off. I never saw a black heroine or a black main character where they were the hero or struggling with their identity or anything like that. So it was refreshing to read these stories and I didn't just see my black characters, I saw all kinds from Asian to Indian. I even saw queer characters (as a queer girl of color I was so happy to see that) and I just couldn't put the book down and this is one of my most anticipated releases of the year so I didn't expect anything less.
I love that I have another book in my collection where I see myself (the collection is growing now) and I hope everyone goes and picks up this anthology when it's released.
<3 <3 <3 <3
First off, I can't even give the stories individual ratings because they each earned between 4 to 5 stars from me so collectively this book was just five stars.
I loved each of these stories for different reasons, a couple of them were by authors I already liked so I didn't expect anything less. When I read the intro by Lamar I never felt so connected with a fellow reader. I am a black girl and when I was reading books growing up, I had the same feelings.
I always saw black girls as either stereotypes in books or the first person to killed off. I never saw a black heroine or a black main character where they were the hero or struggling with their identity or anything like that. So it was refreshing to read these stories and I didn't just see my black characters, I saw all kinds from Asian to Indian. I even saw queer characters (as a queer girl of color I was so happy to see that) and I just couldn't put the book down and this is one of my most anticipated releases of the year so I didn't expect anything less.
I love that I have another book in my collection where I see myself (the collection is growing now) and I hope everyone goes and picks up this anthology when it's released.
<3 <3 <3 <3
mathildeliva's review
4.0
Eraser tattoo: 3.5
Meet cute: 4
Don’t pass me by: 2.5
Be cool for once: 4
Tags: 4
Why I learned to cook: 4
A stranger at the bochinche: 2.5
A boy’s duty: 2
One voice: A something in-between story: 4
Paladin/Samurai: 3
Catch, pull, drive: 4.5
Super human: 5
Meet cute: 4
Don’t pass me by: 2.5
Be cool for once: 4
Tags: 4
Why I learned to cook: 4
A stranger at the bochinche: 2.5
A boy’s duty: 2
One voice: A something in-between story: 4
Paladin/Samurai: 3
Catch, pull, drive: 4.5
Super human: 5
sfujii's review
4.0
4.5 stars for this one.
I am always on the lookout for good short texts to incorporate into my classroom, but many of my discoveries feel like more of the same voice. I loved this collection because it was anything BUT that.
In case there are any fellow educators on the hunt, I'm including a super brief description of the beautiful voices in this anthology.
"Eraser Tattoo" - Jason Reynolds - a young couple says goodbye as the girl moves away. Subtle messages about race (white family moving into their old apartment), but it's also a sweet love story.
Interesting symbolism with the tattoo she gives him with an eraser.
"Meet Cute" - Malinda Lo - the setting is a Sci Fi Fantasy convention. Two girls meet by chance when the wifi goes out, and they have a spark. Very sweet love story.
"Don't Pass Me By" - Eric Gansworth - a young Native Indian endures health class. constantly comparing himself with another girl "from the Rez" who makes more of an effort to remove herself from her culture. Defining moment when he chooses to color his anatomy color sheet (wtf...) with his actual skin tone v. the colors he has been given by the teacher.
"Be Cool for Once" - Aminah Mae Safi - a pair of friends goes to a concert, and surprise! The boy one of them likes is there. She is shy, he is super popular - much cute.
"Tags" - Walter Dean Myers - written as a short play, it's a group of boys all tagging a hallway in the afterlife.
"Why I learned to Cook" Sara Farizan - A young girl wants to come out as bi-sexual to her Persian grandmother. She learns to cook in order to invite her girlfriend over.
"A Stranger at the Bochinche" - Daniellas Josè Older - Sci fi vibes. A notebook with inventions is stolen by an other worldly creature. A crew of friends goes to retrieve it, only to be confronted by the very monsters they were trying to keep out.
"A Boy's Duty" - Sharon G. Flake -a young runaway works at a restaurant. Trying to define himself amidst presumptions, assumptions, and a crew with different goals than he has.
"One Voice: A Something In-Between Story" - Melissa de la Cruz - Setting is Stanford university after someone graffitis hate speech on one of the campus. She struggles with how to react, and how others are reacting to the injustice. The structure is really cool - each section a different time, or location. This one was a favorite.
"Paladin/Samurai" - Gene Luen Yang - This is a graphic short, with beautiful images highlighting a group of friends playing a game. One of them wants to be a samurai, but that isn't in the rules of the game.
"Catch, Pull, Drive"" = Schuyler Bailar - About a transgender swimmer who has just announced the name and pronouns he will now identify with. He is on the swim team, and attends his first swim practice since the announcement. Powerful internal monologue as he makes his way back and forth across the pool.
"Super Human" - Nicola Yoon - favorite of the favorites. About a super hero, X, who is threatening to destroy humanity. The president calls the Syrita, the first girl he saved with his super hero status, in an effort to try and save humanity. X's identity is revealed, and it becomes a powerful social commentary. OMG. So good. I can't say much more because ... spoiler.
I am always on the lookout for good short texts to incorporate into my classroom, but many of my discoveries feel like more of the same voice. I loved this collection because it was anything BUT that.
In case there are any fellow educators on the hunt, I'm including a super brief description of the beautiful voices in this anthology.
"Eraser Tattoo" - Jason Reynolds - a young couple says goodbye as the girl moves away. Subtle messages about race (white family moving into their old apartment), but it's also a sweet love story.
Interesting symbolism with the tattoo she gives him with an eraser.
"Meet Cute" - Malinda Lo - the setting is a Sci Fi Fantasy convention. Two girls meet by chance when the wifi goes out, and they have a spark. Very sweet love story.
"Don't Pass Me By" - Eric Gansworth - a young Native Indian endures health class. constantly comparing himself with another girl "from the Rez" who makes more of an effort to remove herself from her culture. Defining moment when he chooses to color his anatomy color sheet (wtf...) with his actual skin tone v. the colors he has been given by the teacher.
"Be Cool for Once" - Aminah Mae Safi - a pair of friends goes to a concert, and surprise! The boy one of them likes is there. She is shy, he is super popular - much cute.
"Tags" - Walter Dean Myers - written as a short play, it's a group of boys all tagging a hallway in the afterlife.
"Why I learned to Cook" Sara Farizan - A young girl wants to come out as bi-sexual to her Persian grandmother. She learns to cook in order to invite her girlfriend over.
"A Stranger at the Bochinche" - Daniellas Josè Older - Sci fi vibes. A notebook with inventions is stolen by an other worldly creature. A crew of friends goes to retrieve it, only to be confronted by the very monsters they were trying to keep out.
"A Boy's Duty" - Sharon G. Flake -a young runaway works at a restaurant. Trying to define himself amidst presumptions, assumptions, and a crew with different goals than he has.
"One Voice: A Something In-Between Story" - Melissa de la Cruz - Setting is Stanford university after someone graffitis hate speech on one of the campus. She struggles with how to react, and how others are reacting to the injustice. The structure is really cool - each section a different time, or location. This one was a favorite.
"Paladin/Samurai" - Gene Luen Yang - This is a graphic short, with beautiful images highlighting a group of friends playing a game. One of them wants to be a samurai, but that isn't in the rules of the game.
"Catch, Pull, Drive"" = Schuyler Bailar - About a transgender swimmer who has just announced the name and pronouns he will now identify with. He is on the swim team, and attends his first swim practice since the announcement. Powerful internal monologue as he makes his way back and forth across the pool.
"Super Human" - Nicola Yoon - favorite of the favorites. About a super hero, X, who is threatening to destroy humanity. The president calls the Syrita, the first girl he saved with his super hero status, in an effort to try and save humanity. X's identity is revealed, and it becomes a powerful social commentary. OMG. So good. I can't say much more because ... spoiler.
breannenance's review
3.0
I thought this anthology was really well done. I liked almost all the stories. They were all very interesting.
mrs_bookdragon's review against another edition
5.0
I do not typically read anthologies, but this one stood out to me for many reasons. The title and the cover instantly grabbed my attention. Then, when I looked closer at the authors listed, I knew I had to read it. I knew this would be an important book, and I was not disappointed. I really enjoyed the variety of stories, both in content and in style. There are stories that will reach all readers. I believe that everyone will find something to connect to. I believe this is why this anthology was put together, to have a book that would reach so many people, people who have not been reached in literature, but need it so much. We need diversity in literature, and this book has it all. I highly recommend Fresh Ink. I received this book through Net Galley for an honest review.
knightedbooks's review
2.0
Wanted to read this one for the Nicola Yoon short story. It was very good. The other stories were ok. Nice to see all types of protagonists. Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy.
perfectly_kyla's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0