AMERICA STREET

A collection of short stories that brilliantly
capture defining moments in the lives of a diverse group of American children
and teens.

First published in 1993, this
updated anthology, with 12 out of the 20 stories new to this edition, is a
series of snapshots of the lives of youth growing up in the United
States. From the black kindergartner in Edward P. Jones’ “The First
Day” to the 11-year-old Winnebago girl in Susan Power’s “Drum Kiss” to the
teenage daughter of Israeli immigrants in Rivka Galchen’s “Yiddische Baby,”
the characters span a broad range of stages of childhood. The protagonists
are as diverse as the authors, and the contributions vary in length and
narrative structure; some of the shortest and most experimental—such as Justin
Torres’ “Heritage”—are the most poetic and powerful. Although some stories date
from the 1940s to the ’80s, characters grapple with timeless
issues like divorce, loss, jealousy, and unrequited love, and the voices
feel fresh and authentic. Refreshingly, most of the protagonists express a
deep but conflicted love of their families and heritages, resulting
in nuanced narratives that feel honest and relevant. Unfortunately, while
the collection features racial, ethnic, religious, and class diversity, it
features no queer or disabled characters. The prominent list of contributors
includes Sandra Cisneros, Gish Jen, Langston Hughes, Gary Soto, and Naomi
Shihab Nye.

A lyrical, poignant collection of
voices that reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of modern America. (about
the authors) (Anthology. 12-adult)