Color outside the Lines

September 15, 2019
Multigenre short stories filled with romance and diverse characters who cross boundaries. Representing interracial and cross-cultural relationships, this anthology takes readers to new worlds. The need for queer, ethnically diverse fantasy protagonists is answered by Tara Sim's (Firestarter, 2019, etc.) "Death and the Maiden," in which the Indian heroine weds Hades. In L.L. McKinney's (A Dream So Dark, 2019, etc.) "Your Life Matters," an interracial lesbian couple struggles with family dynamics while watching the latest reports of a protest of the police shooting of an unarmed black man. From dealing with a racist bully to facing the impact of colonialism and handling Asian fever, the authors delve into a number of cultures, races, religions, and ethnicities: Moroccan, Indian, black, Hmong, Chinese, Jewish, Latinx, Palestinian, and Irish, among others. A pirate ghost mentor, a poisoner, and a superhero add fantastical elements. Some stories with abrupt revelations and rapidly resolved arguments would have benefited from additional plot and character development, but for the most part the discussions of identity and messages of cultural acceptance and recognition of inequality are well executed. The LGBTQIA+ stories, about one-third of the collection, particularly shine. Readers who enjoy romance and exploring questions of community and belonging will find much to savor in this collection, which contains works by some of the leading voices in YA today, including Anna-Marie McLemore, Samira Ahmed, Adam Silvera, and more. Entertaining and inclusive. (editor's note, author bios) (Anthology. 12-18)

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Starred review from September 30, 2019
In her editing debut, Mandanna produces a stunning collection of refreshing stories about love and identity among diverse young people. After being targeted by the same bully, a Jewish girl and a boy from India reclaim their power together in Lauren Gibaldi’s “What We Love.” A different kind of power surfaces in “Your Life Matters,” by L.L. McKinney, in which a young black superheroine puts herself in harm’s way to save her girlfriend’s father, a racist police officer, forcing him to rethink his views. “The Boy Is,” by Elsie Chapman, follows Holly, a Chinese-American girl, who feels forced to choose between a fellow child of Chinese immigrants or a white boy, whom her mother hopes will help her be seen as fully American. Each well-crafted story feels like a pearl, and strung together, they create something beautiful and unique. Featuring couples who are queer, interracial, or both, this an anthology that beautifully reflects the multifaceted reality of our world. Ages 14–up.

November 1, 2019

Gr 8 Up-This anthology of short stories about love will attract readers from all walks of life. The stark differences among those experiencing romantic feelings are explored in how they can get in the way, or not, of love. The book's strength relies on the ethnic, cultural, and religious range the main characters represent, and the variety of scenarios they find themselves in. Different genres are explored, including historical, supernatural, fantasy, magical realism, and realistic fiction, which keeps the stories unique and the book easy to read. The selections feature a Jewish girl who befriends an Indian boy after they are both bullied by the same girl, an adopted boy of color raised in a white household navigating who he is on the outside and on the inside, and a Chinese American girl who is tired of boys with "yellow fever." It's surprising that the only thing lacking is more LGBTQ+ content, as most of the love represented is heteronormative. However, the honest portrayal of love will appeal to young readers. Not all characters dive into a passionate romance, the kind teens might have seen in movies, as some authors describe falling in love in a gentle, sometimes painful way. Unrequited love makes a brief appearance, but it cements the message that all kinds of love and feelings are normal, including heartache. VERDICT A first purchase for libraries supporting or in need of diverse books.-Carol Youssif, Taipei American School, Taiwan

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from October 1, 2019
Grades 9-12 *Starred Review* This YA anthology is filled to the brim with romantic, transcendent short fiction about teens in interracial relationships. The dynamic collection features a wide scope of writing styles and diverse narratives, such as a historical romance about a couple torn apart by British colonialism as they find themselves on opposite sides of Britain's growing rule on India ("The Agony Of A Heart's Wish" by Samira Ahmed), a Black superhero forced to save her girlfriend's conservative father after he makes it clear he doesn't support the #BlackLivesMatter movement and the community that she fights to protect ("Your Life Matters" by L.L. Mckinney), and a gender-bent Persephone retelling in which a teen girl must leave her comfortable life behind in favor of becoming the bride of Hades ("Death And The Maiden" by Tara Sim). Not only are the characters diverse, but the narratives they inhabit are, too, as the collection celebrates stories that fall within the sf and fantasy world as well as the contemporary fiction genre. These writers bring their rich talents to this book as they make it clear just how beautiful love is, regardless and because of race. By curating a collection filled with authentic characters of color and diverse storylines, Mandanna encourages writers and readers alike to take chances and truly color outside the lines in YA.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)