Come On In: 15 Stories About Immigration and Finding Home

Edited by Alsaid (We Didn’t Ask for This), this topical anthology successfully unites 15 short stories depicting a variety of immigrant experiences. A diverse group of protagonists populates the tales—characters of various belief systems, ethnicities, and sexual orientations hail originally from Iran, Japan, Puerto Rico, and more countries, and settings include Argentina, Fiji, and Mexico. The theme of belonging plays a major part in each story: in Misa Sugiur’s “Where I’m From,” a girl’s roommate’s parents insistently asks the girl where she’s “really from.” A nuanced exploration of culture and social issues also enriches most narratives, as in Alaya Dawn Johnson’s “Volviéndome,” in which the protagonist, disillusioned with her father’s notions of faith, engages in a toxic relationship with a much older man until her discovery of her own strength concludes the story on a joyful note. The heroine of Yamile Saied Mendez’s “Family/Everything,” likewise, adjusts to leaving her family behind after being the first to get into university. Though brief, each contribution provides a snapshot of the many meanings the word “home” can evoke, making for a thought-provoking read. Authors’ notes interspersed throughout lend autobiographical richness to the memorable anthology. Ages 13–up. [em]Agent: Peter Knapp, Park Literary Group. (Oct.) [/em]