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Hope Nation: YA Authors Share Personal Moments of Inspiration by Angie Thomas, Jason Reynolds
snowandbooks_'s review against another edition
4.0
I received this book in exchange for a review (Thanks, Friya and Penguin Random House!)
I WILL POST FULL REVIEW CLOSER TO PUBLICATION DATE
I WILL POST FULL REVIEW CLOSER TO PUBLICATION DATE
ellierose232's review against another edition
4.0
I love the idea of this collection, I love the diversity in contributors and the personal stories. I do not, however, love the fact that James Dashner was a contributor. I read the first page of his essay and found only hypocrisy- who is he to preach hope when he ripped it out of another person’s hands? Allegations of sexual assault came out in February of this year, and this book was copyright 2018 as well. I firmly believe that supporting his work is sending a message that we do not support the victims. I did not read his section, and I hope that you won’t either.
That said, I read some truly powerful essays in this collection. It is important to spread hope, love, hard work and empathy at a time like this. My favorite essay was Jeff Zentner’s: Nobody Remembers the Names of People Who Build Walls. He discusses the power of literature to build empathy, saying that “In the days to come, you Book People will have to be the keepers of our values. You will need to carry inside you a bright and inextinguishable flame.” He mentions that at the end of the day “history honors the names of people who tell stories so powerful that walls crumble and fall before them.” I hope you all love, hope, read and find courage in these things. Then stand up and fight back!!!
That said, I read some truly powerful essays in this collection. It is important to spread hope, love, hard work and empathy at a time like this. My favorite essay was Jeff Zentner’s: Nobody Remembers the Names of People Who Build Walls. He discusses the power of literature to build empathy, saying that “In the days to come, you Book People will have to be the keepers of our values. You will need to carry inside you a bright and inextinguishable flame.” He mentions that at the end of the day “history honors the names of people who tell stories so powerful that walls crumble and fall before them.” I hope you all love, hope, read and find courage in these things. Then stand up and fight back!!!
katysanderlin's review against another edition
Some readers, regardless of their political affiliation, might feel uncomfortable reading some of these essays. Many of these famous and noteworthy YA authors do not hesitate to let their readers know how they identify politically. That being said, there are some very moving and thought-provoking essays in this book. Two essays in particular that have stayed with me since I’ve finished reading this book are Libba Bray’s “Before and After” and I. W. Gregario’s “Caution: This Hope is NSFW (But It Shouldn’t Be)”.
In "Before and After", Libba Bray shares her experience of losing her eye and severely damaging her face in a car accident in the summer before her freshman year of college. It’s honest and relatable, and she offers a refreshing (non-platitudinal) view of “hope” that I think readers can actually latch onto.
I.W. Gregorio’s “NSFW” essay is a much-needed, de-stigmatized discussion of something that the very thought of makes everyone squirm: our bodies. Gregorio writes about her experience as a body-hating teenager (wherein she felt the need to hide her body) and how she became a urologist - a career that specializes in some of the most intimate and “embarrassing” bodily functions imaginable. She discusses how her view of the human body has completely changed, and she speaks with a wisdom that I think every young adult (and myself!) can find humor and comfort in.
I also appreciate the audiobook recording of this anthology wherein a full cast of readers perform the different essays.
In "Before and After", Libba Bray shares her experience of losing her eye and severely damaging her face in a car accident in the summer before her freshman year of college. It’s honest and relatable, and she offers a refreshing (non-platitudinal) view of “hope” that I think readers can actually latch onto.
I.W. Gregorio’s “NSFW” essay is a much-needed, de-stigmatized discussion of something that the very thought of makes everyone squirm: our bodies. Gregorio writes about her experience as a body-hating teenager (wherein she felt the need to hide her body) and how she became a urologist - a career that specializes in some of the most intimate and “embarrassing” bodily functions imaginable. She discusses how her view of the human body has completely changed, and she speaks with a wisdom that I think every young adult (and myself!) can find humor and comfort in.
I also appreciate the audiobook recording of this anthology wherein a full cast of readers perform the different essays.
zbayardo's review against another edition
5.0
My #1 favorite for 2018, so far! Every teen should read this one!
anthropologue's review against another edition
5.0
I received a sample of this, with essays by Libba Bray, Angie Thomas and Jeff Zentner. Each one was a unique kindling of hope that had me laughing through tears of beauty and hope. I am eagerly anticipating the final compilation.
tien's review against another edition
5.0
I don't know all the author contributors in this essay collection but wow, I'm totally mind blown by each and all of their willingness & openness to share their thoughts (some very private and others in continuing their fight for what they believe in), their courage and resilience throughout each unique challenges they faced, and above all, their generosity in encouraging and sharing the hope they had and have. All are authors who write Young Adult novels and while quite a few of their stories relate to their youth, this collection is relevant today to everyone everywhere. I highly recommend it for your next read.
bookiesncookies's review against another edition
4.0
There were some stories that will stick with me. Like David Levithan's at the Women's March, Libba Bray surviving a car crash immediately after high school, Marie Lu's family leaving Communist China after the Tiananmen Square protests and continuing to protest in America, Nicola & David Yoon's struggles of racism within their own family, Gayle Forman finding courage to continue to travel and live without fear immediately after 9/11 (hit differently while reading through a similar collective experience like this pandemic), Atia Abawi's about not letting assholes have any say or influence on your decisions, Alex London dancing with his friend wearing a dress to their junior prom and how it helped him come out a year later, Howard Bryant sharing "Find the people who take an interest in your success. Spend time with them. Learn from them," Romina Garber not letting labels as an immigrant take away her "infinite potential," Renee Ahdieh not "chahmuh" (grin and bear it). Aisha Saeed defining what a true apology is and how it impacted her as a Muslim American after 9/11, Julie Murphy sharing how her family had their home foreclosed while she was graduating high school and how she can find home with the family she's hand-picked, and finally Jason Reynolds & Brendan Kiely talking about the hopes of young people they saw while on tour for All-American Boys.
The fact that I.W. Gregorio and James Dashner were included leaves a bad taste in my mouth based on Gregorio's book that was transphobic, homophobic, and had characters outed without their permission and Dashner who was accused of sexual harassment and dropped from his publisher for it (just to be picked up by another one).
The fact that I.W. Gregorio and James Dashner were included leaves a bad taste in my mouth based on Gregorio's book that was transphobic, homophobic, and had characters outed without their permission and Dashner who was accused of sexual harassment and dropped from his publisher for it (just to be picked up by another one).