Flying Lessons and Other Stories
Edited by Ellen Oh
Narrated by: Ellen Oh, Kwame Alexander, Meg Medina and Various
Release Date: January 3, 2017
Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers / Listening Library
Genre: Young Adult/Middle Grade Short Story Anthology
ISBN: 978-1101934593
Running Time: 4 hours and 35 minutes
Source: Received Audiobook From Publisher
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Whether it is basketball dreams, family fiascos, first crushes, or new neighborhoods, this bold anthology—written by the best children’s authors—celebrates the uniqueness and universality in all of us.
In a partnership with We Need Diverse Books, industry giants Kwame Alexander, Soman Chainani, Matt de la Peña, Tim Federle, Grace Lin, Meg Medina, Walter Dean Myers, Tim Tingle, and Jacqueline Woodson join newcomer Kelly J. Baptist in a story collection that is as humorous as it is heartfelt. This impressive group of authors has earned among them every major award in children’s publishing and popularity as New York Times bestsellers.
From these distinguished authors come ten distinct and vibrant stories.
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This is the first time that I’ve listened to an audiobook of a short story anthology. I think it’s safe to say that this is my favorite way of taking in these stories. I loved the multiple narrators bringing such different styles to each story and bringing these stories to life. I see plenty of short story anthology audiobook listens in my future.
Anyway, this book is dedicated to the memory of Walter Dean Myers, a notable choice given the We Need Diverse Books connection. This contemporary anthology is comprised of ten diverse stories written by ten diverse authors. It begins with a story by Matt de la Peña and if you haven’t read his work before, this is a really beautiful sneak peek of his voice. I love his voice especially in his book, The Living, so I was excited to read his short story. It didn’t disappoint. Without spoiling anything, I will say that his short story had a really beautiful ending.
For a story that takes you aboard a pirate ship and follows a girl who escapes one bad situation and turns another into opportunity, read “The Difficult Path” by Grace Lin. This short story is a standout for me in this anthology. I envisioned and felt every moment, all of the danger and tension, the risk taking, and really felt for the MC. A definite must read. Meg Medina’s short story spoke to me in regards to visibility, knowing when to speak up for yourself as a minority and picking your battles for the bigger picture. This was easily another standout.
“Secret Samantha” by Tim Federle is set during Christmas and with the holidays fresh on everyone’s mind, you might want to grab some hot chocolate for this read. I love that at the beginning of the short story, Samantha, who likes being known as Sam, doesn’t correct people but by the end of the story, she’s confident enough in her identity to be able to speak up and correct people. She doesn’t allow people to undermine the acknowledgement of her. I love how Federle explores identity and self esteem over the course of this short story and I’m sure so many, many people will be able to relate to Sam.
“The Beans & Rice Chronicles of Isaiah Dunn” is written by newcomer, Kelly J. Baptist and begins on New Year’s Eve/Day but takes us through February. It follows an MC whose mother has taken to alcohol after her husband’s death, leaving her two kids to fend for themselves in this time of grief. It’s during this time that our main character discovers a story written by his father and finds refuge in his father’s words. I love how authentic this story felt and how much I connected to the MC finding refuge in words, in how hopeful finding refuge in words can be.
“Main Street” by Jacqueline Woodson was exquisite, as every work by Woodson is. I loved the friendship dynamic here between a white girl and her black friend, who have been friends for just over a year. I love how over that year (in which they are 11 and 12 years old), the MC learns more and more about Celeste’s perspective as a black girl and accepts and respects Celeste’s space as a black girl. If there’s only one short story to pluck out and share with a classroom, this could be one of them.
Tim Tingle, Soman Chainani, and Kwame Alexander also have short stories in the anthology. Stylistically speaking, one of my favorite short stories was “76 Dollars and 49 Cents” by Alexander, as it is a story in verse. Stories in verse have a very special place in my heart and this story added a sweet layer to that. Especially having previously read his sports novels in verse, The Crossover and Booked. The anthology concludes with “Sometimes A Dream Needs A Push” by Walter Dean Myers which, if you’ve read Myers before, you know you’re in for a treat.
I love that this anthology is an anthology full of diverse stories written by diverse authors and because there’s such inclusion, each story is even more vibrant for its own relatability. I wasn’t expecting so many of the stories to be more middle grade than young adult but that’s completely okay, I was a kid before and I remember what it was like being a kid and being a minority kid – certain things stick with you. So I’d recommend this to all ages and I hope that minority or not, you can take something away from these stories because there’s plenty to appreciate here.
Flying Lessons and Other Stories edited by Ellen Oh is available now.