Book Review: “Black Enough: Stories of Being Young & Black in America” by Various Authors
“Black Enough: Stories of Being Young & Black in America” by Various Authors (2019)
Genre: YA, Fiction, Contemporary
Page Length: 416 pages (hardcover edition
Synopsis:
Black Enough is a star-studded anthology edited by National Book Award finalist Ibi Zoboi that will delve into the closeted thoughts, hidden experiences, and daily struggles of black teens across the country. From a spectrum of backgrounds—urban and rural, wealthy and poor, mixed race, immigrants, and more—Black Enough showcases diversity within diversity.
Whether it’s New York Times bestselling author Jason Reynolds writing about #blackboyjoy or Newbery Honor-winning author Renee Watson talking about black girls at camp in Portland, or emerging author Jay Coles’s story about two cowboys kissing in the south—Black Enough is an essential collection full of captivating coming-of-age stories about what it’s like to be young and black in America. (description from Goodreads)
Review:
*Like other anthologies I’ve reviewed on this blog I’ll be discussing all the stories and then giving a final verdict at the end. SLIGHT SPOILERS FOR SOME STORIES! *
Half a Moon by Renee Watson: Story follows Raven who is a camp counselor for sixth girls. The program focuses on getting kids outdoors while learning life skills. Raven runs into her half-sister at camp and though past feelings arise, they try to bond with each other. (4 stars)
Black Enough: Cam goes to a party with his cousin Myron and starts to question if he’s “black enough” as he goes to a all-white school. The story discusses code switching, being woke, and pretending to be something you’re not. (5 stars)
Warning: Colors May Fade: Nivia is an artist whose parents want her to go to law school while she wants to pursue art. She enters in Art Prize where this year’s theme is about telling your truth. (3 stars)
Black Nerd Problems: Shawn is unapologetically nerdy. Her has a huge crush on Dayshia a fellow worker and wants to ask her out, but feels if he’s out of her league. Story focuses on the theme of finding yourself and being who you are. (5 stars)
Out of the Silence: A girl reflects on her classmates death and how it has affected her. She also comes to terms with her sexuality. (3 stars)
The Ingredients: A group of boys beat the summer heat in Brooklyn by building together the perfect sandwich. The sandwich acts a metaphor for bringing cultures together and celebrating diversity. (3 stars)
Oreo: Joni is recieveing college acceptance letters, but doesn’t know which school to choose. She desires to go to a HBCU but feels held back because of being labeled as “too white”. (5 stars)
Samson and the Delilahs: A teen named Subechi spends his days preoccupied with debate team until his next door neighbor Desiree introduces him to the world of Metal (music) and what it means to have a voice and speak your song. (5 stars)
Stop Playing: Keri is attending her church’s beach retreat and gets caught up in a love triangle? Story about peer pressure. (3 stars)
Wild Horses, Wild Hearts: A teen lives in a rural town with his religious parents next to unfriendly neighbors (who they are feuding with). He comes to terms with his sexuality and starts to fall for the boy next door. (4 stars)
Whoa!: The main character sees a glimpse of the past through his reflection in his bathroom sink and meets one of his descendants who is enslaved. They have a conversations and discusses differences between their times. (5 stars)
Gravity: *I was honestly lost reading this whole story and wasn’t really sure of the plot* (2 stars)
The Trouble With Drowning: Lena is mourning the loss of her sister who has died, but she still feels as if her sister is still here. Discusses the power of grief and mourning a loved one. (4 stars)
Kissing Sarah Smart: A story of summer love. Devon spends her summer in a town far away from home while falling love with a local girl. (4 stars)
Hackathon Summer: Garry spends his summers in NYC at a coding program pursuing his passion when he falls for a girl. The story is about a blooming romance, growing up, and making life choices. (4 stars)
Into the Starlight: Opposites from two different neighborhoods, Mak and Vamari, meet and find that even they come from different backgrounds they share a lot in common. It’s story where “don’t judge a book by its cover” rings true. (5 stars)
Revolution of Nigeria Jones: Nigeria is the daughter of a Black Nationalist freedom fighter/movement. She feels like she’s been fed lies all her life and is trapped by her surroundings. She gets an opportunity to escape for a night and finally gets to feel free. (4 stars)
*Trigger Warning: Racism, Homophobia, Death
Final Verdict:
