Category: Anthology

Once Upon an Eid: Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices

2/21/2020

Once Upon an Eid: Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices
by S. K.Ali (Editor), Alisha Saeed (Editor)

There are a lot of ways to show our faith and love to Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala.
You pick the ones that are right for who you are right now.
Candice Montgomery

So this is what Eid tastes like!
N.H. Senzai

This collection of short stories paints miniature portraits of an assemblage of Eid-al-Fitr celebrations. While the practice of faith varies within the Muslim community, each unique Eid observance is memorable.

The anthology is feast for the senses. Stories include lighthearted as well as poignant glimpses into the culminating observance of Ramadan with descriptions of private prayer, public celebrations, distinctive clothing, special food, and gifts. Readers meet a recent convert to Islam. She fasts and samples spicy foods for the first time. For others Eid is bittersweet, reviewing celebrations from years past and remembering absent family members. Some entries follow the journey to be with family: taking the subway to the Bronx or sitting in the car’s back seat with siblings on the way to Sydney, Australia. I loved the descriptions of clothing: choosing to wear a hajib for the first time or fashioning a unique gown from a thrift store purchase.

A variety of writing styles and formats (prose, verse, comic panels) share long-standing traditions and introduce contemporary celebrations. Bake a batch of special Eid brownies with ALL the toppings and savor this delightful anthology. Share the joy of family, generosity, and friendship.

Joyous Faces

It’s true. Muslims women are diverse. They cannot be typecast. Each woman is unique, reflecting her country, culture, and family. Some chose to express themselves with a head scarf. Some opt for a western style of dress.

What do they have in common? Pride in their Muslim identity. Respect for the diverse ways to practice their faith.

Insightful stories. Engaging plots. Thought-provoking points of view. S.K. Ali and Alisha Saeed have assembled the work of fifteen talented women. Meet some of the amazing authors who contributed to this anthology.

Once Upon an Eid contributors include: G. Willow Wilson (Alif the Unseen, Ms. Marvel), Hena Khan (Amina's Voice, More to the Story), N. H. Senzai (Shooting Kabul, Escape from Aleppo), Hanna Alkaf (The Weight of Our Sky), Rukhsana Khan (Big Red Lollipop), Randa Abdel-Fattah (Does My Head Look Big in This?), Ashley Franklin (Not Quite Snow White), Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow (Mommy's Khimar), Candice Montgomery (Home and Away, By Any Means Necessary), Huda Al-Marashi (First Comes Marriage), Ayesha Mattu ( Love, InshAllah: The Secret Love Lives of American Muslim and Salaam), Asmaa Hussein (A Temporary Gift: Reflections on Love, Loss and Healing), and Sara Alfageeh ( Star Wars Women of the Galaxy).

I can almost hear their whispered wishes-
duas spoken in the fields each Eid.
Say “ameen” to those prayers,
all our voices as one.
Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow

Electronic copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: May 5, 2020 Publisher: Amulet Books ISBN: 978-1419740831

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Voices for Own Voices

4/12/2019

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Black Enough: Stories of Being Young & Black in America
edited by Ibi Zobio read by Bahni Turpin and Ron Butler

Short stories by Justina Ireland, Varian Johnson, Rita Williams-Garcia, Dhonielle Clayton, Kekla Magoon, Leah Henderson, Tochi Onyebuchi, Jason Reynolds, Nic Stone Liara Tamani, Renée Watson, Tracey Baptiste, Coe Booth, Brandy Colbert, Jay Coles, Ibi Zoboi, and Lamar Giles explore what it means to be a contemporary teen as experienced through the lens of racial identity: self acceptance, coming out, parental expectations, friendships, dating, loss.

Bahni Turpin and Ron Butler alternately narrate these seventeen obsidian gems. Their nuanced performances in Black Enough: Stories of Being Young and Black in America give added meaning to the term #ownvoices.

Bahni Turpin skillfully offers a range of character interpretations from the street smart to the affluent. She shines in dialogue between individuals, each with a distinctive voice. I'm in awe of her Caribbean accent in Tracey Baptiste's "Gravity." Listeners hear the uncertainty and dread which evolves into determination and pride at telling one's own truth in Leah Henderson's "Warning: Color May Fade." Raw grief pierces the narration in Dhonielle Clayton's "The Trouble with Drowning." The final piece, Ibi Zobi's "The (R)evolution of Nigeria Jones" brilliantly moves Nigeria from mocking and questioning to fear and eventually to a new-found confidence. She truly evolves!

Ron Butler's dialogue among characters offers unique voices that ring true. It is easy to picture a group of boys walking down the street on a hot summer afternoon, trying to one-up each other in dreaming up the perfect sandwich in Jason Reynold's "The Ingredients." Note: Henceforth I will refer to bacon as the Michael Jordan of all meat. "Whoa!" Rita William-Garcia's speculative fiction tells of a young model and fashion designer who, in a strange twist of fate, meets a slave from the past. Butler reveals the lives of both characters with humor and pathos.

Seventeen stories from seventeen authors plus two narrators equal a listening experience not-to-be-missed.

Listen Up

Butler reads a portion of Black Enough by Varian Johnson. You can hear the voice of a young man raised in an affluent white community, trying to fit into a very different culture in South Carolina. Note the exchange between the high school debater and his Nigerian mother in Tochi Onybuchi's "Samson and the Delilahs."

Listen to Bahni Turpin read Ibi Zobio's introduction to the anthology and a brief snippet of Renée Watson's "Half a Moon."

Audiobook accessed via Overdrive

Release date: January 8, 2019 Publisher: HarperAudio

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We Rise

9/1/2018

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We Rise. We Resist. We Raise Our Voices
Wade Hudson (editor) Cheryl Willis Hudson (editor)

Having a safe space to imagine and dream and (re)invent yourself
is the first step to being happy and sucessful,
Whatever road you choose to pursue.
-Ashley Bryan

Anthology of poetry, essays, and art reflects and honors the ongoing struggle for Justice, equality, and respect. It simultaneously celebrates the rich cultural heritage of under-represented members of our society, while acknowledging the painful past as well as current unsettling conditions. As the title We Rise. We Resist. We Raise Our Voices suggests, young readers are encouraged to take an active role, making positive and much-needed changes in their world. Rather than sink into despair, this book is a call to action. A reason to believe that change is possible.
A sense of hope permeates every page.

The striking red cover is instantly attention-catching. The bold color palette, carefully crafted page design, and visually arresting art on every page engages readers. A variety of formats fill these pages with important ideas, deeply held beliefs, and strong emotional connections.

A star-studded ensemble contributed to this volume. Beginning with a forward by Ashley Bryant and include award-winning children's authors Carole Boston Weatheford, Kwame Alexander, Rita William-Garcia, Sharon M. Draper, Jacqueline Woodson, Margarita Engle, Sharon G. Flake, Joseph Bruchac, and Jason Reynolds. Magnificent illustrations are by renowned artists such as Floyd Cooper, Ekua Holmes, Eric Velasquez, Javanka Steptoe, James E. Ransome, Rafael López, Pat Cummings, Nina Crews, to name just a few. A valuable addition is the brief biography, complete with a photo and website URL for each of the fifty-two individual contributors.

Editor Wade Hudson and Cheryl Willis Hudson have crafted a handsome, thought-provoking volume. While primarily marketed to younger audiences, the anthology is appropriate for all ages. This collection can serve as a springboard for young creatives everywhere, encouraging them to have faith in themselves, explore what is possible, take pride in their identity, and share their talents. It is certain to be a welcome addition in school and public libraries, classrooms, guidance and support groups, and community youth centers.

Bonus

The editors discuss the motivation for creating this anthology and share some of the highlights from this extraordinary volume. We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices samples works of some of the great authors and artists of contemporary work for young readers. It's a soul-satisfying experience for readers of all ages.

Yes. I have an ARC signed by both editors: Wade Hudson and Cheryl Willis Hudson. Lucky me!

March to that drumbeat of hope.
March and know you are never alone.
Standing up and speaking out,
pressing for justice,
having each other's backs,
we will create change.
from "Drumbeat for Change"
by Kelly Starling Lyons

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: September 4, 2018 Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers ISBN: 978-0525580423

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Once Upon an Eid: Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices

Once Upon an Eid: Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices
by S. K.Ali (Editor), Alisha Saeed (Editor)

Joyous Faces

Voices for Own Voices

Black Enough: Stories of Being Young & Black in America
edited by Ibi Zobio read by Bahni Turpin and Ron Butler

Listen Up

We Rise

We Rise. We Resist. We Raise Our Voices
Wade Hudson (editor) Cheryl Willis Hudson (editor)

Bonus

Category

Archives

Barbara Moon

Once Upon an Eid: Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices

Once Upon an Eid: Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voicesby S. K.Ali (Editor), Alisha Saeed (Editor)

Joyous Faces

Voices for Own Voices

Black Enough: Stories of Being Young & Black in Americaedited by Ibi Zobio read by Bahni Turpin and Ron Butler

Listen Up

We Rise

We Rise. We Resist. We Raise Our Voices Wade Hudson (editor) Cheryl Willis Hudson (editor)

Bonus

Category

Archives

Barbara Moon

Once Upon an Eid: Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices
by S. K.Ali (Editor), Alisha Saeed (Editor)

Black Enough: Stories of Being Young & Black in America
edited by Ibi Zobio read by Bahni Turpin and Ron Butler

We Rise. We Resist. We Raise Our Voices
Wade Hudson (editor) Cheryl Willis Hudson (editor)