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125 reviews for:
Our Stories, Our Voices: 21 YA Authors Get Real about Injustice, Empowerment, and Growing Up Female in America
Amy Reed, Julie Murphy
4.13 AVERAGE
125 reviews for:
Our Stories, Our Voices: 21 YA Authors Get Real about Injustice, Empowerment, and Growing Up Female in America
Amy Reed, Julie Murphy
4.13 AVERAGE
Overall really enjoyed these stories and they provided such great insight about being a woman from various backgrounds.
My Immigrant American Dream by Sandhya Menon - 5/5
This was such an inspiring essay and I really enjoyed how it was written from the perspective of reflection.
Her Hair Was Not the Color of Gold by Anna-Marie McLemore - 4/5
I really enjoyed this! I liked reading about her journey through self-acceptance within her religion and coming to terms with how falsified the Western adaptations have become.
Unexpected Pursuits... by Christine Day 4/5
I really enjoyed how this one felt like a work in progress. Occasionally the author would insert a bio of themselves that would change based on how they've changed in life.
Chilled Monkey Brains by Soda Charaipotra - 4/5
Once again, I loved this story! I really enjoyed the inclusion of media to prove the good and bad representation.
Roar by Jane Robin Brown - 5/5
Fully love this story! Such an important topic to speak on, especially for younger, questioning girls.
Easter Offering by Brandy Colbert - 4/5
Once again, I really enjoyed this!
Trumps and Trunchbulls by Alexandra Duncan - 5/5
I absolutely loved this one. The heavy comparisons and how it was built off of a metaphor was amazing.
Tiny Battles by Maurene Goo - 5/5
I loved reading from the perspective of someone as hotheaded as me. I love seeing women stand up for themselves and for that I adored this.
These Words Are Mine by Stephanie Kuehnert - 5/5
This one was definitely difficult to read, but I still very much enjoyed it. It was incredibly important and I'm happy I did.
Myth Making: In the Wake of Hardship by Somaiya Daud - 5/5
Absolutely loved the ties to writing and literature to self identity and culture.
Changing Constellations by Nina LaCour - 5/5
Incredibly thought-provoking with beautiful writing
The One Who Defines Me by Aisha Saeed - 5/5
who was the islamophobic author at that year's Yallfest I just want to talk
In Our Genes by Hannah Moskowitz - 5/5
Loved the focus on genealogy and heritage
An Accidental Activist by Ellen Hopkins - 5/5
Really enjoyed this take from a time previous to the 90s and seeing this history from her point of view
Dreams Deferred and Other Explosions by Ilene Gregorio - 5/5
really enjoyed the reflection of college and finding herself
Not Like the Other Girls by Martha Brockenbrough - 1/5
There are other stories that give the exact same message that manage to do it without knowingly deadnaming someone on purpose
Is Something Bothering You? by Jenny Torres Sanchez - 5/5
Really liked this perspective and how the story is told
What I've Learned About Silence by Amber Smith - 5/5
such an important story
Black Girl, Becomng by Tracy Deonn Walker - 5/5
Such a great story
My Immigrant American Dream by Sandhya Menon - 5/5
This was such an inspiring essay and I really enjoyed how it was written from the perspective of reflection.
Her Hair Was Not the Color of Gold by Anna-Marie McLemore - 4/5
I really enjoyed this! I liked reading about her journey through self-acceptance within her religion and coming to terms with how falsified the Western adaptations have become.
Unexpected Pursuits... by Christine Day 4/5
I really enjoyed how this one felt like a work in progress. Occasionally the author would insert a bio of themselves that would change based on how they've changed in life.
Chilled Monkey Brains by Soda Charaipotra - 4/5
Once again, I loved this story! I really enjoyed the inclusion of media to prove the good and bad representation.
Roar by Jane Robin Brown - 5/5
Fully love this story! Such an important topic to speak on, especially for younger, questioning girls.
Easter Offering by Brandy Colbert - 4/5
Once again, I really enjoyed this!
Trumps and Trunchbulls by Alexandra Duncan - 5/5
I absolutely loved this one. The heavy comparisons and how it was built off of a metaphor was amazing.
Tiny Battles by Maurene Goo - 5/5
I loved reading from the perspective of someone as hotheaded as me. I love seeing women stand up for themselves and for that I adored this.
These Words Are Mine by Stephanie Kuehnert - 5/5
This one was definitely difficult to read, but I still very much enjoyed it. It was incredibly important and I'm happy I did.
Myth Making: In the Wake of Hardship by Somaiya Daud - 5/5
Absolutely loved the ties to writing and literature to self identity and culture.
Changing Constellations by Nina LaCour - 5/5
Incredibly thought-provoking with beautiful writing
The One Who Defines Me by Aisha Saeed - 5/5
who was the islamophobic author at that year's Yallfest I just want to talk
In Our Genes by Hannah Moskowitz - 5/5
Loved the focus on genealogy and heritage
An Accidental Activist by Ellen Hopkins - 5/5
Really enjoyed this take from a time previous to the 90s and seeing this history from her point of view
Dreams Deferred and Other Explosions by Ilene Gregorio - 5/5
really enjoyed the reflection of college and finding herself
Not Like the Other Girls by Martha Brockenbrough - 1/5
There are other stories that give the exact same message that manage to do it without knowingly deadnaming someone on purpose
Is Something Bothering You? by Jenny Torres Sanchez - 5/5
Really liked this perspective and how the story is told
What I've Learned About Silence by Amber Smith - 5/5
such an important story
Black Girl, Becomng by Tracy Deonn Walker - 5/5
Such a great story
3.75- While I did enjoy this collection as a whole, it started to feel very repetitive, especially by the end. I really loved the intent & message each and every author had to share (except Ellen Hopkins, her contribution to the anthology did not lime up with the purpose behind this collection), but many of the essays left me unsatisfied. However, there were some really well written ones--my favorites were the essays written by Maureen Goo, Amy Reed, Amber Smith, Sandhya Menon, Ilene Wong (I.W.) Gregorio, and Sona Charaipotra.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
review coming soon on my instagram!!
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
inspiring
fast-paced
didn't read any except the authors i know. but somaiya daud and tracy deonn are fucking insane geniuses who i want to know
Rating is an average of all of the essays in this book.
1. My Immigrant American Dream - 4
2. Her Hair Was Not of Gold - 5
3. Finding My Feminism - 5
4. Unexpected Pursuits: Embracing My Indigeneity & Creativity - 4
5. Chilled Monkey Brains - 4
6. Roar by Robin Brown - 4
7. Easter Offering - 5
8. Trumps and Trunchbulls - 5
9. Tiny Battles - 4
10. These Words Are Mine - 4
11. Fat and Loud - 4
12. Myth Making: In the Wake of Hardship - 3.5
13. Changing Constellations - 4.5
14. The One Who Defines Me - 5
15. In Our Genes - 3.5
16. An Accidental Activist - 4
17. Dreams Deferred and Other Explosions - 3.5
18. Not Like Other Girls - 3
19. Is Something Bothering You? - 4
20. What I’ve Learned About Silence - 4
21. Black Girl, Becoming - 4.5
1. My Immigrant American Dream - 4
2. Her Hair Was Not of Gold - 5
3. Finding My Feminism - 5
4. Unexpected Pursuits: Embracing My Indigeneity & Creativity - 4
5. Chilled Monkey Brains - 4
6. Roar by Robin Brown - 4
7. Easter Offering - 5
8. Trumps and Trunchbulls - 5
9. Tiny Battles - 4
10. These Words Are Mine - 4
11. Fat and Loud - 4
12. Myth Making: In the Wake of Hardship - 3.5
13. Changing Constellations - 4.5
14. The One Who Defines Me - 5
15. In Our Genes - 3.5
16. An Accidental Activist - 4
17. Dreams Deferred and Other Explosions - 3.5
18. Not Like Other Girls - 3
19. Is Something Bothering You? - 4
20. What I’ve Learned About Silence - 4
21. Black Girl, Becoming - 4.5
4.5/5 stars My Immigrant American Dream by Sandha Menon
I quite enjoyed this piece as I am also a first generation immigrant, I could resonate with the author. I completely agree with her quote "I'd been taught to always respect my elders, to never disagree, to accept what I was told. But adults, I was quickly learning, could be judgemental and cruel, prejudiced and bigtoed. Adults did not automatically get a pass anymore. I had the right to question them." as well as "There is no one way to be American. There is no one language, no one color, no one accent, no one religion. We are a country of multitudes; we should be proud to remain that way." A million time YES!
3/5 stars Her Hair Was Not of Gold by Anna-Marie McLemore
The focus of this is how the Virgin Mary and Jesus is normally portrayed and how the author realizes it and learns more about the whitewashing of the religion in a way. I can not relate as much, but it was an interesting read.
4/5 stars Finding My Feminism by Amy Reed
Survivor story. Powerful. This is the story of her journey as a feminist, how she felt fake and that she was not one of the survivors, and the spark within her to be that support for other women now through her writing.
4.5/5 stars Unexpected Pursuits: Embracing My Dignity & Creativity by Christine Day
An indigenous author's story about her life in school, erasure of her culture, finding her voice & passion, and the continuous journey she is taking.
4/5 stars Chilled Monkey Brains by Sona Charaipotra
Discusses the importance of own voices writing and how much representations really matter to us POC. This mentions the spark of this movement and the hope that it will become the norm.
4/5 stars Roar by Jaye Robin Brown
Important piece about finding and accepting oneself.
4.5/5 stars Easter Offering by Brandy Colbert
Talks about our whitewashed history and how racists the suffragists were. I now know that the quote "I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired" came from Fannie Lou Hamer, a black woman civil rights activist who focused on voting rights for Southern Black people. How cool is she? Yet, it is unfortunate that I never heard of her until now. Powerful and empowering piece.
4.5/5 stars Trumps and Trunchbulls by Alexandra Duncan
Very important essay that thoroughly describes gaslighting with examples. I also enjoyed the empowering way it ended.
4/5 stars Tiny Battles by Maurene Goo
Piece by a Korean-American woman whom I can relate to because I've gone through some similar things she has gone through. I really liked that she said "Rage has empowered me, and I give you permission to let it empower you."
4/5 stars These Words are Mine by Stephanie Kuehnert
This is a supportive piece to all survivors that can validate their experience. A strong message that you are not alone.
3/5 stars Fat and Loud by Julie Murphy
A piece on someone learning to be an ally. I appreciate that she acknowledged her privilege.
3.5/5 stars Myth Making: In the Wake of Hardship by Somaiya Daud
This piece felt like a letter to future writers.
3.5/5 stars Changing Constellation by Nina LaCour
This piece focused on a friend whovleft and what the author felt she could have done and what she learned from that friend. A thank you note for being their unapologetic self wherever they may be.
3.5/5 stars The One Who Defines Me by Aisha Saeed
It frustrates me to hear about how blatantly racists these teachers can be. They make such a big impact on their students whether negative or positive. I can relate to the not burdening my immigrant parents with racist things that happened to me in school. It took me a long time to actually talk to peers about it (college).
3/5 stars Our Genes by Hannah Moskowitz
I haven't got much to say about this one except we can learn from racist upbringing.
3/5 stars An Accidential Activist by Ellen Hopkins
Message to keep active and staying informed.
4/5 stars Dreams Deferred and Other Explosions by Ilene (I.W.) Gregorio
Yes! I love her end piece regarding smashing the model minority because that is exactly what I plan on doing.
3/5 stars Not Like The Other Girls by Martha Brockenbrough
Wow. Second grader. Men are sick. So many different memories regarding similar things happened to this author and it twists my stomach how hard she tries to be like a boy to try to level out the playing field.
4/5 stars Is Something Bothering You? by Jenny Torres Sanchez
Wow. A recalling of the time in her childhood where her father was terrorized and chased down by KKK members just because he answered someone's question back in Spanish. Chilling account of the fear after the event & then after the 2016 result were announced. But ends with hope.
3/5 stars What I've Learned About Slience by Amber Smith
Literally the title of this essay. How slience fester and finding strength and a voice.
4/5 stars Black Girl, Becoming by Tracy Deonn Walker
Denying ones identity due to micro aggression and the process of expressing oneself freely. Lovely.
Overall this was a phenomenal anthology filled will so many voices, experiences, and encouragement. It was reassuring to hear the shared nightmare November 8, 2016 was to a handful of these women as I felt completely hopeless that day and cried because I felt our America was crumbling down (granted it was not amazing for all in the first place, but we weren't regressing as much as we are now) the blatant racism and overall hate is flooding our America. However, what is emerging from this is a new sea of hope from people who are just tired of being slienced. This gives me hope.
I quite enjoyed this piece as I am also a first generation immigrant, I could resonate with the author. I completely agree with her quote "I'd been taught to always respect my elders, to never disagree, to accept what I was told. But adults, I was quickly learning, could be judgemental and cruel, prejudiced and bigtoed. Adults did not automatically get a pass anymore. I had the right to question them." as well as "There is no one way to be American. There is no one language, no one color, no one accent, no one religion. We are a country of multitudes; we should be proud to remain that way." A million time YES!
3/5 stars Her Hair Was Not of Gold by Anna-Marie McLemore
4/5 stars Finding My Feminism by Amy Reed
Survivor story. Powerful. This is the story of her journey as a feminist, how she felt fake and that she was not one of the survivors, and the spark within her to be that support for other women now through her writing.
4.5/5 stars Unexpected Pursuits: Embracing My Dignity & Creativity by Christine Day
An indigenous author's story about her life in school, erasure of her culture, finding her voice & passion, and the continuous journey she is taking.
4/5 stars Chilled Monkey Brains by Sona Charaipotra
Discusses the importance of own voices writing and how much representations really matter to us POC. This mentions the spark of this movement and the hope that it will become the norm.
4/5 stars Roar by Jaye Robin Brown
Important piece about finding and accepting oneself.
4.5/5 stars Easter Offering by Brandy Colbert
Talks about our whitewashed history and how racists the suffragists were. I now know that the quote "I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired" came from Fannie Lou Hamer, a black woman civil rights activist who focused on voting rights for Southern Black people. How cool is she? Yet, it is unfortunate that I never heard of her until now. Powerful and empowering piece.
4.5/5 stars Trumps and Trunchbulls by Alexandra Duncan
Very important essay that thoroughly describes gaslighting with examples. I also enjoyed the empowering way it ended.
4/5 stars Tiny Battles by Maurene Goo
Piece by a Korean-American woman whom I can relate to because I've gone through some similar things she has gone through. I really liked that she said "Rage has empowered me, and I give you permission to let it empower you."
4/5 stars These Words are Mine by Stephanie Kuehnert
This is a supportive piece to all survivors that can validate their experience. A strong message that you are not alone.
3/5 stars Fat and Loud by Julie Murphy
A piece on someone learning to be an ally. I appreciate that she acknowledged her privilege.
3.5/5 stars Myth Making: In the Wake of Hardship by Somaiya Daud
This piece felt like a letter to future writers.
3.5/5 stars Changing Constellation by Nina LaCour
This piece focused on a friend whovleft and what the author felt she could have done and what she learned from that friend. A thank you note for being their unapologetic self wherever they may be.
3.5/5 stars The One Who Defines Me by Aisha Saeed
It frustrates me to hear about how blatantly racists these teachers can be. They make such a big impact on their students whether negative or positive. I can relate to the not burdening my immigrant parents with racist things that happened to me in school. It took me a long time to actually talk to peers about it (college).
3/5 stars Our Genes by Hannah Moskowitz
I haven't got much to say about this one except we can learn from racist upbringing.
3/5 stars An Accidential Activist by Ellen Hopkins
Message to keep active and staying informed.
4/5 stars Dreams Deferred and Other Explosions by Ilene (I.W.) Gregorio
Yes! I love her end piece regarding smashing the model minority because that is exactly what I plan on doing.
3/5 stars Not Like The Other Girls by Martha Brockenbrough
Wow. Second grader. Men are sick. So many different memories regarding similar things happened to this author and it twists my stomach how hard she tries to be like a boy to try to level out the playing field.
4/5 stars Is Something Bothering You? by Jenny Torres Sanchez
Wow. A recalling of the time in her childhood where her father was terrorized and chased down by KKK members just because he answered someone's question back in Spanish. Chilling account of the fear after the event & then after the 2016 result were announced. But ends with hope.
3/5 stars What I've Learned About Slience by Amber Smith
Literally the title of this essay. How slience fester and finding strength and a voice.
4/5 stars Black Girl, Becoming by Tracy Deonn Walker
Denying ones identity due to micro aggression and the process of expressing oneself freely. Lovely.
Overall this was a phenomenal anthology filled will so many voices, experiences, and encouragement. It was reassuring to hear the shared nightmare November 8, 2016 was to a handful of these women as I felt completely hopeless that day and cried because I felt our America was crumbling down (granted it was not amazing for all in the first place, but we weren't regressing as much as we are now) the blatant racism and overall hate is flooding our America. However, what is emerging from this is a new sea of hope from people who are just tired of being slienced. This gives me hope.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
I enjoyed many of the essays presented in this anthology and it introduced me to several YA authors I would like to read more of/from. However, it also made me uncomfortable more than once: sometimes, it was kind of the point, such as the essays focused on rape culture, sexual assault, racism etc. (which I still leave a trigger warning for, because it definitely is graphic and explicit enough for it to be needed), but there were also some moments where I don't seem to notice explanation for such discomfort, like Reed's usage of the F slur in her text as well as Caitlyn Jenner's deadname written on Brockenbrough's, which was also accentuated the lack of trans women amongst the authors. While I am aware that Reed addressed this issue at the beginning of the book, it still doesn't change this statement, although her awareness is positive.