COOL. AWKWARD. BLACK.

A compilation of vibrant entries spanning multiple genres.

The 18 stories from Black authors such as Jordan Ifueko, Leah Johnson, Kwame Mbalia, and Tochi Onyebuchi focus on Black teenagers who are trying to affirm their humanity and figure out their places in the world—and, occasionally, beyond. Themes, including familial reconciliation, friendship, and identity, are embedded in many of the stories, threading the book together seamlessly. In Ibi Zoboi’s “Earth Is Ghetto,” Ingrid, a Haitian American teenager far from her hometown, often feels “like an abandoned building” that “everyone knew was there, but no one cared about how it got to be so broken in the first place.” In an effort to collude with aliens on a mission to populate their planet with humans, the astute teen, an ardent fan of Octavia Butler, learns this task is far more complicated than she imagined. In the adventurous “Drive Time” by Lamar Giles, Annalise and Theo are just trying to learn how to drive but instead end up on a winding, high-energy excursion. The point of view seesaws between the two main characters, providing a humorous balance throughout the warmhearted story. This energetic compilation of narratives is a beautiful tribute to and for young people who often find themselves on the margins of their social settings. The characters find refuge in meaningful friendships, family relationships, and an entire universe that contains their many multitudes.

A fearless and satisfying collection of expansive stories.