2020 has been a tumultuous year, but a number of recent and forthcoming anthologies for teens offer stories that remind us of the things that join us together. We’ve gathered a selection of fiction and nonfiction collections, exploring the Black experience through fantasy, immigration journeys, the diversity found in rural America, and more.

Body Talk: 37 Voices Explore Our Radical Anatomy

Ed. by Kelly Jensen (Algonquin, Aug. 18 $16.95 ISBN 978-1-61620-967-4). Ages 14–18.

Thirty-seven models, actors, musicians, artists, and YA authors contribute a variety of reflections, including essays and illustrations, on what it’s like to live in their particular bodies. Together they address topics such as body image, eating disorders, gender identity, sexuality, and more.

Come On In: 15 Stories About Immigration and Finding Home

Ed. by Adi Alsaid (Inkyard, $18.99 Oct. 13 ISBN 978-1-335-14649-6). Ages 13 and up.

This collection of stories featuring teen immigrants examines the joys, heartbreaks, and triumphs of immigration, with stories by acclaimed and bestselling YA authors who have been shaped by the journeys they and their families have taken from home—and to find home. The book received a starred review from PW.



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Foreshadow: Stories to Celebrate the Magic of Reading and Writing YA

Ed. by Emily X.R. Pan and Nova Ren Suma (Algonquin, $16.95 Oct. 20 ISBN 978-1-64375-079-8). Ages 14–18.

An anthology of short stories by up-and-coming YA authors collected in the online magazine Foreshadow, along with craft advice for writing YA.

A Phoenix First Must Burn: Sixteen Stories of Black Girl Magic, Resistance, and Hope

Ed. by Patrice Caldwell (Viking, $18.99 Mar. 10 ISBN 978-1-984835-65-9). Ages 12 and up.

Sixteen tales by bestselling and award-winning authors explore the Black experience through the lens of fantasy, science fiction, and magic. The book received a starred review from PW.



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Rural Voices: 15 Authors Challenge Assumptions About Small-Town America

Ed. by Nora Shalaway Carpenter (Candlewick, $18.99 Oct. 13 ISBN 978-1-5362-1210-5). Ages 14 and up.

This array of short stories, poetry, graphic works, and personal essays, along with anecdotes from the authors’ real lives, dives deep into the complexity and diversity of rural America and the people who call it home.

Together, Apart

(Delacorte, $9.99 Oct. 20 ISBN 978-0-593-37529-7). Ages 12 and up.

Inspired by the pandemic, Together, Apart is a collection of stories about finding love in unexpected places during an unprecedented time—each with a happy ending.

A Universe of Wishes: A We Need Diverse Books Anthology

Ed. by Dhonielle Clayton (Crown, $18.99 Dec. 8 ISBN 978-1-984896-20-9). Ages 14 and up.

This YA fantasy short story collection brings together notable #OwnVoices children’s authors in a powerful and inclusive anthology..

Vampires Never Get Old: Tales with Fresh Bite

Ed. by Zoraida Córdova and Natalie C. Parker (Imprint, $17.99 Sept. 22 ISBN 978-1-250-23001-0). Ages 12 and up.

This collection features stories about vampires engaged in social justice movements, vampires longing for reflections so they can finally take selfies, vampires trying to escape matchmaking by their immigrant families, and more. Read about the return of vampire YA fiction here.



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