Let’s dig into anthologies today, YA fans!
“What’s Up in YA?” is sponsored by Spectacle by Jodie Lynn Zdrok.
Paris, 1887. Sixteen-year-old Nathalie Baudin writes the daily morgue column for Le Petit Journal. A task she finds both fascinating and routine. That is, until she has a vision of a young woman being murdered—from the perspective of the murderer. Nathalie’s search for answers sends her down a winding road involving her mentally ill aunt, a brilliant but deluded scientist, and eventually into the Parisian Catacombs. As the killer haunts Paris, it becomes clear that Nathalie may be the only one who can discover the killer’s identity—and she’ll have to do it before she becomes a target herself.
Inspired by a recent cover reveal for an amazing-sounding anthology (it’s below!), I thought it’d be worthwhile to spotlight a handful of great YA short story anthologies. These are inclusive, wide-ranging collections featuring an array of voices.
What I love about anthologies — and why I like editing them myself — is discovering new writers right along side some of my long time favorites. All of the collections below marry the new with the seasoned.
I’ve been asked before, too, whether or not anthologies really appeal to teenagers, and to that I always say: remember the beauty of an anthology is there’s never pressure to read the whole thing nor read it cover to cover. You can read stories here and there. You can skip ones you don’t connect with. And you can read them over the course of months without feeling you’ll miss anything. Anthologies are meant to offer variety, meaning that it’s likely for every reader, some stories will be knockouts and others will fall flat. This is how they’re designed. It’s what makes them such cool books.
These are recent titles, as well as forthcoming titles, and titles from the back list. Get ready to get your read on.
All Out:Â The No-Longer-Secret Stories of Queer Teens Throughout the Ages edited by Saundra Mitchell
Looking for short historical fiction but from the perspective of queer teens? Then this is the perfect anthology. Contributors include authors like Malinda Lo, Shaun David Hutchinson, Kody Keplinger, Sara Farizan, and more.
Black Enough: Stories of Being Young and Black in America edited by Ibi Zoboi
Kekla Magoon, Jason Reynolds, Brandy Colbert, Nic Stone, and a host of other incredible authors write stories about what it’s like to be black in America. The stories span so many topics and settings, with rich, powerful voices.
Color Outside The Lines edited by Sangu Mandanna (November 12, 2019)
If you’re into romance and stories about relationships, this collection will be of total interest. Each of the stories are about interracial relationships and the ups, downs, and in betweens of them. Authors include Samira Ahmed, Eric Smith, Adam Silvera, and more.
Fresh Ink edited by Lamar Giles
This anthology, done in partnership with the We Need Diverse Books organization, amplifies thirteen voices telling diverse stories. Not only is the array of contributors amazing, but there’s a never-before-seen one act play by Walter Dean Myers as well.
It’s A Whole Spiel edited by Katherine Locke and Laura Silverman (September 17, 2019)
This anthology is the first all-Jewish centered YA anthology and it’s long past due. The cover looks fabulous, and the contributor list sounds equally as fabulous. Authors include Nova Ren Suma, Adi Alsaid, Alex London, and more.
Open Mic: Riffs on Life Between Cultures in Ten Voices edited by Mitali Perkins
An oldie but a goodie! This anthology focuses on teens growing up between cultures and features stories from authors like G. Neri, Gene Luen Yang, Francisco X Stork, and more.
Take The Mic: Fictional Stories of Everyday Resistance edited by Bethany C. Marrow (October 1, 2019)
This anthology sounds not only awesome but also wildly necessary. It’s a collection of short stories about everyday resistance, including what it’s like to stand up to online trolls, what it’s like to be disabled and cute and own it, and so much more. Authors include Jason Reynolds, Samira Ahmed, Keah Brown, and more.
Unbroken: 13 Stories Starring Disabled Teens edited by Marieke Nijkamp
This #ownvoices anthology gives disabled teens the spotlight and allows them to be the center of their own stories. Authors include Heidi Heilig, Dhonielle Clayton, Kody Keplinger, and more.
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Thanks for hanging out & we’ll see you again later this week!
— Kelly Jensen, @veronikellymars on Instagram and editor of (Don’t) Call Me Crazy and Here We Are.