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meaghanjoyy's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
danthequeer's review
4.0
Daughter of the Book: 4/5 ⭐️
You're a Stranger Here: 3/5 ⭐️
The Magician: 4/5 ⭐️
Lady Firebrand: 4/5 ⭐️
Step Right Up: 5/5 ⭐️
Glamour: 3/5 ⭐️
Better for All the World: 4/5 ⭐️
When the Moonlight Isn't Enough: 4/5 ⭐️
The Belle of the Ball: 4/5 ⭐️
Land of the Sweet, Home of the Brave: 4/5 ⭐️
The Birth of Susi Go-Go: 3/5 ⭐️
Take Me With U: 3/5 ⭐️
You're a Stranger Here: 3/5 ⭐️
The Magician: 4/5 ⭐️
Lady Firebrand: 4/5 ⭐️
Step Right Up: 5/5 ⭐️
Glamour: 3/5 ⭐️
Better for All the World: 4/5 ⭐️
When the Moonlight Isn't Enough: 4/5 ⭐️
The Belle of the Ball: 4/5 ⭐️
Land of the Sweet, Home of the Brave: 4/5 ⭐️
The Birth of Susi Go-Go: 3/5 ⭐️
Take Me With U: 3/5 ⭐️
hayleybeale's review
4.0
This fine collection of 12 stories focuses on young women on the cusp of making a significant change in their life and stepping away from what is expected, even demanded, from them; girls who are “radical in their communities.” See my full review here.
lostinagoodbook's review
1.0
Disclaimer: I received this book free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
My second DNF in a week. It might look like I’m unlucky in books right now, but don’t be deceived. I have been reading some really wonderful books lately and have reviews planned that I’m holding for closer to their release date. I’ve been getting a few approvals from TOR on Netgalley lately, and I’m hoping that they will make it a habit. I love them so much. I want them to be my boyfriend. 😍
Back to the business at hand. I love books by women, about women, with women, everything women. I LOVE them. So I was excited to get my hands on this anthology of short stories. At first I thought it was going to be historical fiction based on actual people, it turned out that this … was not that. It is short stories about women. An “anthology of revolution and resistance“. Resist?! To which I thought, hell yeah!
Unfortunately, I found the stories to be lackluster. They were not particularly inspiring. While most were well written they lacked a spark. I grew increasingly disinterested and eventually stopped reading. I think I expected a little more fire. However, I must be in the minority because this series of books is very popular! So don’t let my glum attitude lead you astray if you’re interested. I just won’t be along for the ride.
My second DNF in a week. It might look like I’m unlucky in books right now, but don’t be deceived. I have been reading some really wonderful books lately and have reviews planned that I’m holding for closer to their release date. I’ve been getting a few approvals from TOR on Netgalley lately, and I’m hoping that they will make it a habit. I love them so much. I want them to be my boyfriend. 😍
Back to the business at hand. I love books by women, about women, with women, everything women. I LOVE them. So I was excited to get my hands on this anthology of short stories. At first I thought it was going to be historical fiction based on actual people, it turned out that this … was not that. It is short stories about women. An “anthology of revolution and resistance“. Resist?! To which I thought, hell yeah!
Unfortunately, I found the stories to be lackluster. They were not particularly inspiring. While most were well written they lacked a spark. I grew increasingly disinterested and eventually stopped reading. I think I expected a little more fire. However, I must be in the minority because this series of books is very popular! So don’t let my glum attitude lead you astray if you’re interested. I just won’t be along for the ride.
amym84's review
4.0
To keep things clear in my mind, I'm going to post a little as I finish each story.
Daughter of the Book by Dahlia Adler
I have never read anything else by Ms. Adler before. Daughter of the Book is about Rebekah whose Jewish family lives in Savannah, Georgia. This book deals with Rebekah wanting to learn all the things the males get to learn in regards to their religion, but because she's female she is restricted. So she enlists the help of a boy named Caleb to secretly teach her all the things he is able to learn. This story was really short and quick, but I think the main objective of showing how much Rebekah wanted to learn, but was denied because of her sex, came across flawlessly.
You're a Stranger Here by Mackenzi Lee
So, I loved Mckenzi Lee's [b:The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue|29283884|The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue (Guide, #1)|Mackenzi Lee|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1492601464s/29283884.jpg|49527118], so I was really looking forward to reading something else by her and I forgot that she had a story in this anthology. You're a Stranger Here focuses on Vilatte who came, with her mother, from Liverpool to Illinois to join the Mormon religion. The story starts after the murder of Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon Religion. The story has a lot of upheaval about it as the settlement suffers from questioning who should take Smith's place as head of the religion and violence by people who want to push them out. In the center you have Vilatte who was brought there as a child so without much in the way of being able to voice a decision on the matter, and she starts to question everything that's going on around her. I liked that things are kind of left up in the air. You see a lot of fractures within the community after the death of Joseph Smith, kind of like a new beginning. You wonder what Vilatte will decide for her own life as she gets older.
The Magician by Erin Bowman
I haven't read anything by Erin Bowman, but I'm familiar with her [b:Vengeance Road|23719270|Vengeance Road (Vengeance Road, #1)|Erin Bowman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1422925649s/23719270.jpg|41187933] series. I'd say that The Magician could probably be considered a companion prequel. It deals with a girl hiding herself as a boy named Ray working at a stevedore in the New Mexico Territory on the Colorado River. She's trying to save enough money to head to San Francisco with the hope of finding the family she can't remember. Ray earns extra money by playing cards and being a Magician with the deck. So far, at three stories in, this has been my favorite of the anthology. The ideas of the changing landscape and the struggle with identity that Ray faces was nicely written by Bowman. I look forward to reading her other stories set in the Wild West.
Lady Firebrand by Megan Shepherd
Taking place during the civil war. Deals with two girls who are working as spies for the Union. I really enjoyed this one. I think the secrets and espionage while not outright action-packed still kept me on the edge of my seat waiting to see if they'd be caught. The main heroine, Rose, is wheelchair bound after being thrown from her horse. I loved that Megan Shepherd tackled a story (and she's not the only one in this anthology) about someone with a physical impediment and shows that just because, in Rose's case, they can't walk doesn't mean they can't think or contribute.
Step Right Up by Jessica Spotswood
All Ruby has ever wanted was to join the circus that has come to her town every year since she was five as the apprentice to the tightrope walker. Ruby has never felt like she fits into the same box as other girls her age nor does she want to, but she can no longer deal with the ever increasing abusive household in which she lives now. I like the idea that comes across that there is a place for everyone. Even if you feel like you don't belong in your current place, there is somewhere where people will love and accept you for who you are, and the circus is definitely a good metaphor for this consisting of a group of people with special talents or what many people might consider oddities especially at the time this story is set to take place which is 1905.
Glamour by Anna-Marie Mclemore
Glamour tells the story of Graciela who wants to be a movie star. But in 1923 there aren't really any movie stars that look like Graciela with brown hair, brown eyes, tan skin. So Graciela uses a special glamour taught to her by her great-grandmother that makes her skin creamy, her hair light, and her eyes blue. She becomes Grace. But can she truly be happy as Grace when it's not who she truly is? I loved the use of magical realism in this story. I wasn't expecting it, but I should have known because Anna-Marie Mclemore uses it a lot in her writings. I loved the ideas this represented of being proud of who you are, and the fact that who we are isn't always skin deep, it's often soul deep. It's a really lovely story.
Better for All the World by Marieke Nijkamp
This story so far has been my favorite and unless one of the remaining five knocks it out of the park, this will remain in my favorite spot. This story deals with Carrie who dreams of being a lawyer. Part of how she's learning is that she goes and listens in the gallery at current trials. One of the trials is that of Carrie Buck whom the courts are trying to determine if she should be forcibly sterilized "for the good of the world" due to the fact that she's deemed a "genetic threat to society". Our narrator Carrie shares more with Ms. Buck than just a first name. She also shares what many people might deem "abnormal". Carrie wants to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. For their rights. It's a beautiful story about how the government shouldn't be able to dictate what happens with our bodies. It's steeped in actual history as Carrie Buck's trial / case is very much real.
When the Moonlight Isn't Enough by Dhonielle Clayton
Moonlight takes place in the midst of World War II in Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts where a family that lives in a mostly African American community feels more safe and protected than they have in their 191 years of existence. Yep, you read that right. Now, with the war going on overseas they want to keep their heads down a just live their lives. This has never been a problem for perpetual sixteen year old Emma until now. Maybe it's the fact that she's been living the same existence for almost 200 years, and she's tired of moving around to keep people from seeing how they don't age, never getting to have friends. But Emma wants to join the war effort much to her mother and father's astonishment. They don't understand why Emma wants to fight for a country that doesn't want to fight for them. It's a beautiful story, enhanced with magical realism.
The Belle of the Ball by Sarvenaz Tash
The Belle of the Ball is about Rosemary who doesn't want to attend the cotillion her mother has planned for her, and doesn't want to marry someone wealthy to live on Fifth Ave. She wants to be a writer. Specifically, she wants to write for comedy television for show like I Love Lucy. Rosemary has always gone along with what her mother wants, but it's time for her to stand up for what she wants. As a fan of I Love Lucy, I really found this one quite endearing. You can't hear Lucille Ball's name and not think trailblazer. I loved that, through Rosemary's story, attention was brought to the writers behind the scenes one of which was a female writer on Lucy that Rosemary wants to emulate. I found it quite telling that the lack of female comediennes is not something that has improved upon much since the 1950's. It's still a predominantly male field.
Land of the Sweet, Home of the Brave by Stacey Lee
Is about Lana Lau who is one her way to audition to be the face of the 1955 Miss Sugar Maiden. Lana is Chinese Japanese American, and in 1955 World War II is not too distant of a memory where the Japanese living on the mainland were persecuted after Pearl Harbor. I liked Lana's attitude. I liked that she's able to stand up for her family and the hard work they've done throughout their lifetimes, yet still be funny and approachable.
The Birth of Susi Go-Go by Meg Medina
Susana barely remembers Cuba as she was just a little girl when she and her mother and father left. While her parents still hold true to what they were taught. Susana struggles with taking on American traditions and fitting in with friends who don't understand what she's gone through. Meg Medina did a great job of really making Susana's struggles feel real.
Overall, I really enjoyed this anthology which covers the time periods from 1838 to 1984. I really liked the idea that we're seeing these young women on the verge of doing something, they're still in the stage where they're hesitant to make a splash or to go against their families's beliefs or what have you, and many of the stories end with them just taking that leap. We don't know what happens after they land, readers kind of get to fill in the rest on their own, but I personally felt like all the stories ended on this almost exciting anticipation of great things to come for these characters. That was something that stuck out for me as I read these wonderful stories. I loved how steeping history all the of the stories were. At the end of each, the author would give background info on the time period and / or historical events that may be happening within the confines of the stories themselves. I found that immensely interesting and thought it helped enhance the story I'd just finished.
I pretty much enjoyed all the stories. The authors who stood out for me were: Marieke Nijkamp, Stacey Lee, Sarvenaz Tash, Megan Shepherd, Erin Bowman, and Anna-Marie Mclemore.
Daughter of the Book by Dahlia Adler
I have never read anything else by Ms. Adler before. Daughter of the Book is about Rebekah whose Jewish family lives in Savannah, Georgia. This book deals with Rebekah wanting to learn all the things the males get to learn in regards to their religion, but because she's female she is restricted. So she enlists the help of a boy named Caleb to secretly teach her all the things he is able to learn. This story was really short and quick, but I think the main objective of showing how much Rebekah wanted to learn, but was denied because of her sex, came across flawlessly.
You're a Stranger Here by Mackenzi Lee
So, I loved Mckenzi Lee's [b:The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue|29283884|The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue (Guide, #1)|Mackenzi Lee|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1492601464s/29283884.jpg|49527118], so I was really looking forward to reading something else by her and I forgot that she had a story in this anthology. You're a Stranger Here focuses on Vilatte who came, with her mother, from Liverpool to Illinois to join the Mormon religion. The story starts after the murder of Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon Religion. The story has a lot of upheaval about it as the settlement suffers from questioning who should take Smith's place as head of the religion and violence by people who want to push them out. In the center you have Vilatte who was brought there as a child so without much in the way of being able to voice a decision on the matter, and she starts to question everything that's going on around her. I liked that things are kind of left up in the air. You see a lot of fractures within the community after the death of Joseph Smith, kind of like a new beginning. You wonder what Vilatte will decide for her own life as she gets older.
The Magician by Erin Bowman
I haven't read anything by Erin Bowman, but I'm familiar with her [b:Vengeance Road|23719270|Vengeance Road (Vengeance Road, #1)|Erin Bowman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1422925649s/23719270.jpg|41187933] series. I'd say that The Magician could probably be considered a companion prequel. It deals with a girl hiding herself as a boy named Ray working at a stevedore in the New Mexico Territory on the Colorado River. She's trying to save enough money to head to San Francisco with the hope of finding the family she can't remember. Ray earns extra money by playing cards and being a Magician with the deck. So far, at three stories in, this has been my favorite of the anthology. The ideas of the changing landscape and the struggle with identity that Ray faces was nicely written by Bowman. I look forward to reading her other stories set in the Wild West.
Lady Firebrand by Megan Shepherd
Taking place during the civil war. Deals with two girls who are working as spies for the Union. I really enjoyed this one. I think the secrets and espionage while not outright action-packed still kept me on the edge of my seat waiting to see if they'd be caught. The main heroine, Rose, is wheelchair bound after being thrown from her horse. I loved that Megan Shepherd tackled a story (and she's not the only one in this anthology) about someone with a physical impediment and shows that just because, in Rose's case, they can't walk doesn't mean they can't think or contribute.
Step Right Up by Jessica Spotswood
All Ruby has ever wanted was to join the circus that has come to her town every year since she was five as the apprentice to the tightrope walker. Ruby has never felt like she fits into the same box as other girls her age nor does she want to, but she can no longer deal with the ever increasing abusive household in which she lives now. I like the idea that comes across that there is a place for everyone. Even if you feel like you don't belong in your current place, there is somewhere where people will love and accept you for who you are, and the circus is definitely a good metaphor for this consisting of a group of people with special talents or what many people might consider oddities especially at the time this story is set to take place which is 1905.
Glamour by Anna-Marie Mclemore
Glamour tells the story of Graciela who wants to be a movie star. But in 1923 there aren't really any movie stars that look like Graciela with brown hair, brown eyes, tan skin. So Graciela uses a special glamour taught to her by her great-grandmother that makes her skin creamy, her hair light, and her eyes blue. She becomes Grace. But can she truly be happy as Grace when it's not who she truly is? I loved the use of magical realism in this story. I wasn't expecting it, but I should have known because Anna-Marie Mclemore uses it a lot in her writings. I loved the ideas this represented of being proud of who you are, and the fact that who we are isn't always skin deep, it's often soul deep. It's a really lovely story.
Better for All the World by Marieke Nijkamp
This story so far has been my favorite and unless one of the remaining five knocks it out of the park, this will remain in my favorite spot. This story deals with Carrie who dreams of being a lawyer. Part of how she's learning is that she goes and listens in the gallery at current trials. One of the trials is that of Carrie Buck whom the courts are trying to determine if she should be forcibly sterilized "for the good of the world" due to the fact that she's deemed a "genetic threat to society". Our narrator Carrie shares more with Ms. Buck than just a first name. She also shares what many people might deem "abnormal". Carrie wants to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. For their rights. It's a beautiful story about how the government shouldn't be able to dictate what happens with our bodies. It's steeped in actual history as Carrie Buck's trial / case is very much real.
When the Moonlight Isn't Enough by Dhonielle Clayton
Moonlight takes place in the midst of World War II in Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts where a family that lives in a mostly African American community feels more safe and protected than they have in their 191 years of existence. Yep, you read that right. Now, with the war going on overseas they want to keep their heads down a just live their lives. This has never been a problem for perpetual sixteen year old Emma until now. Maybe it's the fact that she's been living the same existence for almost 200 years, and she's tired of moving around to keep people from seeing how they don't age, never getting to have friends. But Emma wants to join the war effort much to her mother and father's astonishment. They don't understand why Emma wants to fight for a country that doesn't want to fight for them. It's a beautiful story, enhanced with magical realism.
The Belle of the Ball by Sarvenaz Tash
The Belle of the Ball is about Rosemary who doesn't want to attend the cotillion her mother has planned for her, and doesn't want to marry someone wealthy to live on Fifth Ave. She wants to be a writer. Specifically, she wants to write for comedy television for show like I Love Lucy. Rosemary has always gone along with what her mother wants, but it's time for her to stand up for what she wants. As a fan of I Love Lucy, I really found this one quite endearing. You can't hear Lucille Ball's name and not think trailblazer. I loved that, through Rosemary's story, attention was brought to the writers behind the scenes one of which was a female writer on Lucy that Rosemary wants to emulate. I found it quite telling that the lack of female comediennes is not something that has improved upon much since the 1950's. It's still a predominantly male field.
Land of the Sweet, Home of the Brave by Stacey Lee
Is about Lana Lau who is one her way to audition to be the face of the 1955 Miss Sugar Maiden. Lana is Chinese Japanese American, and in 1955 World War II is not too distant of a memory where the Japanese living on the mainland were persecuted after Pearl Harbor. I liked Lana's attitude. I liked that she's able to stand up for her family and the hard work they've done throughout their lifetimes, yet still be funny and approachable.
The Birth of Susi Go-Go by Meg Medina
Susana barely remembers Cuba as she was just a little girl when she and her mother and father left. While her parents still hold true to what they were taught. Susana struggles with taking on American traditions and fitting in with friends who don't understand what she's gone through. Meg Medina did a great job of really making Susana's struggles feel real.
Overall, I really enjoyed this anthology which covers the time periods from 1838 to 1984. I really liked the idea that we're seeing these young women on the verge of doing something, they're still in the stage where they're hesitant to make a splash or to go against their families's beliefs or what have you, and many of the stories end with them just taking that leap. We don't know what happens after they land, readers kind of get to fill in the rest on their own, but I personally felt like all the stories ended on this almost exciting anticipation of great things to come for these characters. That was something that stuck out for me as I read these wonderful stories. I loved how steeping history all the of the stories were. At the end of each, the author would give background info on the time period and / or historical events that may be happening within the confines of the stories themselves. I found that immensely interesting and thought it helped enhance the story I'd just finished.
I pretty much enjoyed all the stories. The authors who stood out for me were: Marieke Nijkamp, Stacey Lee, Sarvenaz Tash, Megan Shepherd, Erin Bowman, and Anna-Marie Mclemore.
rikerandom's review
I'm usually not a big fan of anthologies but this one just sounded too good to pass (and "A Tyranny of Petticoats" has been on my wishlist for ages). "The Radical Element" has its ups and downs and, as I expected, I liked some stories way more than others but all of them highlight people whose stories too often don't get told. I was a bit disappointed that unlike the first volume this one didn't feature a f/f story, but that's mostly personal preference, and considering that these books contain stories about American history from the views of marginalised groups it's kind of disappointing that they don't feature #ownvoices Native American characters/stories.
lattelibrarian's review
4.0
This was a hugely entertaining read, and absolutely perfect for hunkering down before bed. Each short story is probably around 20 pages, so they are fast-paced, entertaining, and mystical all at once. The history spans different cultures in the United States from the 1800s and onward, which I personally enjoyed. There aren't many (if any) stories that I've read about Mormon girls, magical realism post-Harlem renaissance, autistic girls going to courthouses. And it. Was. Incredible.
Not every story was as strong or compelling, but my personal favorites were probably "When the Moonlight Isn't Enough" by Dhonielle Clayton, "You're a Stranger Here" by Mackenzi Lee, and "Step Right Up" by Jessica Spotswood. Of course, those were in no specific order, but I will say that I just loved the magical realism, the exploration of a wavering-faith Mormon, and a circus junkie. Those certainly weren't perspectives that I'm used to reading, so I welcomed them and drank them up.
Overall, I can't say that this was necessarily the strongest collection, but it was certainly fun as well as educational (for me, at least!), and that alone makes it worth reading!
Review cross-listed here!
Not every story was as strong or compelling, but my personal favorites were probably "When the Moonlight Isn't Enough" by Dhonielle Clayton, "You're a Stranger Here" by Mackenzi Lee, and "Step Right Up" by Jessica Spotswood. Of course, those were in no specific order, but I will say that I just loved the magical realism, the exploration of a wavering-faith Mormon, and a circus junkie. Those certainly weren't perspectives that I'm used to reading, so I welcomed them and drank them up.
Overall, I can't say that this was necessarily the strongest collection, but it was certainly fun as well as educational (for me, at least!), and that alone makes it worth reading!
Review cross-listed here!
hafsa's review
3.0
I loved the idea of A Tyranny of Petticoats, and loved the book too, so I was really happy to learn about the sequel. I really enjoyed reading the stories, though my opinions on the stories varied quite a bit - some I would have given 5 stars on their own, and a few I didn't even finish reading. I especially liked reading the author's note at the end of each story, however - the insight into why each author chose their particular era of history and protagonist, as well as the further information on the conflicts of the time. I also love how varied the protagonists are - though they were all teenage girls, they were each distinct from each other. All in all, this book was definitely a good choice to help me out of my reading slump.
sarahlopod's review
4.0
(This review can also be found on my blog.)
These are such lovely stories! They’re all about complex, interesting women in history and there’s so much representation. There are trans characters and disabled characters and women of color and much more. When most of these stories came to an end, I was left wanting more. I was surprised to find them over. They’re not really tied up in neat little bows, they mostly end with you feeling like you’re at the precipice of a greater story. Any one of these feel like they could be effectively made into a full-fledged novel, and it was hard for me to forget that they were short stories.
The beds of civilization shifted in favor of men.
My rating for each story:
Daughter of the Book by Dahlia Adler ⭐⭐⭐
You’re a Stranger Here by Mackenzi Lee ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Magician by Erin Bowman ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Lady Firebrand by Megan Shepherd ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Step Right Up by Jessica Spotswood ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Glamour by Anna-Marie McLemore ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Better For All the World by Marieke Nijkamp ⭐⭐⭐⭐
When the Moonlight Isn’t Enough by Dhonielle Clayton ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Belle of the Ball by Sarvenaz Tash ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Land of the Sweet, Home of the Brave by Stacey Lee ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Birth of Susi Go-Go by Meg Medina ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Take Me With U by Sara Farizan ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My average rating was 4.16 stars, rounded down to 4. I’m thinking I’ll have to go back and read Jessica Spotswood’s first edited collection of short stories, which I hadn’t gotten around to yet. I’d definitely recommend this to historical fiction readers, lovers of YA, and anyone excited to see diverse women in fiction.
These are such lovely stories! They’re all about complex, interesting women in history and there’s so much representation. There are trans characters and disabled characters and women of color and much more. When most of these stories came to an end, I was left wanting more. I was surprised to find them over. They’re not really tied up in neat little bows, they mostly end with you feeling like you’re at the precipice of a greater story. Any one of these feel like they could be effectively made into a full-fledged novel, and it was hard for me to forget that they were short stories.
The beds of civilization shifted in favor of men.
My rating for each story:
Daughter of the Book by Dahlia Adler ⭐⭐⭐
You’re a Stranger Here by Mackenzi Lee ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Magician by Erin Bowman ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Lady Firebrand by Megan Shepherd ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Step Right Up by Jessica Spotswood ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Glamour by Anna-Marie McLemore ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Better For All the World by Marieke Nijkamp ⭐⭐⭐⭐
When the Moonlight Isn’t Enough by Dhonielle Clayton ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Belle of the Ball by Sarvenaz Tash ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Land of the Sweet, Home of the Brave by Stacey Lee ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Birth of Susi Go-Go by Meg Medina ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Take Me With U by Sara Farizan ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My average rating was 4.16 stars, rounded down to 4. I’m thinking I’ll have to go back and read Jessica Spotswood’s first edited collection of short stories, which I hadn’t gotten around to yet. I’d definitely recommend this to historical fiction readers, lovers of YA, and anyone excited to see diverse women in fiction.
jklbookdragon's review
4.0
This was another excellent collection, and I've read / just put books on hold by Mackenzi Lee, Sarvenaz Tash, Stacey Lee, and Sara Farizan. A few other favorites from this book:
Daughter of the Book by Dahlia Adler - a young Jewish woman in 1838 Savannah just wants to study the Torah, which sadly was a radical idea.
Lady Firebrand by Megan Shepherd - a paraplegic and the free woman of color posing as her maid are spying for the Union.
Glamour by Anna-Marie McLemore - magic realism features a young Latina woman who dreams of Hollywood stardom and her transgender friend.
Better for All the World - an aspiring law student on the autism spectrum discusses a eugenics case with the grandson of Oliver Wendell Holmes.
The Birth of Susi Go-Go - a Cuban refugee/immigrant with American dreams.
Again, and obviously from the above brief descriptions, I love the wild diversity of the young women featured in these stories. Sometimes that diversity is central to the story, and sometimes it's incidental. Either way, give me more!
Daughter of the Book by Dahlia Adler - a young Jewish woman in 1838 Savannah just wants to study the Torah, which sadly was a radical idea.
Lady Firebrand by Megan Shepherd - a paraplegic and the free woman of color posing as her maid are spying for the Union.
Glamour by Anna-Marie McLemore - magic realism features a young Latina woman who dreams of Hollywood stardom and her transgender friend.
Better for All the World - an aspiring law student on the autism spectrum discusses a eugenics case with the grandson of Oliver Wendell Holmes.
The Birth of Susi Go-Go - a Cuban refugee/immigrant with American dreams.
Again, and obviously from the above brief descriptions, I love the wild diversity of the young women featured in these stories. Sometimes that diversity is central to the story, and sometimes it's incidental. Either way, give me more!