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A review by xangemthelibrarian
You Are Here: Connecting Flights by Ellen Oh
challenging
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This interwoven short story collection featuring a full Asian American cast navigating a Chicago airport is the best book I have read this year. I know there is a LOT of year left, but I'm serious: YOU ARE HERE has set a very high bar for my Favorites of 2023 list.
Reading about the microaggressions and outright racist way people in the airport treated LITERAL CHILDREN is absolutely painful to read. It hurts even more to know that the editor, Ellen Oh, asked the contributing authors to reach into their own passions and experiences. But all that pain is balanced by the sheer hope and resolve of each character in this story.
They are going to change the world. They are choosing to believe in the good. And they are going to stand up for what's right and make everyone realize that they are Americans too. And THEY ARE HERE.
Reading about the microaggressions and outright racist way people in the airport treated LITERAL CHILDREN is absolutely painful to read. It hurts even more to know that the editor, Ellen Oh, asked the contributing authors to reach into their own passions and experiences. But all that pain is balanced by the sheer hope and resolve of each character in this story.
They are going to change the world. They are choosing to believe in the good. And they are going to stand up for what's right and make everyone realize that they are Americans too. And THEY ARE HERE.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Xenophobia
Minor: Cultural appropriation and Hate crime