This exceptional and powerful anthology explores the joys, heartbreaks and triumphs of immigration, with stories by bestselling and beloved YA authors who are themselves immigrants and the children of immigrants.

WELCOME

From some of the most exciting bestselling and up-and-coming YA authors writing today…journey from Ecuador to New York City and Argentina to Utah, from Australia to Harlem and India to New Jersey, from Fiji, America, Mexico and more… Come On In.

With characters who face random traffic stops, TSA detention, customs anxiety, and the daunting and inspiring journey to new lands, who camp with their extended families, dance at weddings, keep diaries, teach ESL, give up their rooms for displaced family, decide their own answer to the question “where are you from?” and so much more, Come On In illuminates fifteen of the myriad facets of the immigrant experience.

I was really excited when I saw this one pop up and felt that the subject matter was very timely – especially with certain political issues in the US. This collection contains perspectives from a wide range of cultures and races regarding what immigration looks and feels like for them. It really explores what people are forced to consider, the risks they are forced to take and more when attempting to enter a new country, or when living as an immigrant. Some stories also tackled some race issues which add further layers to the conversation.

I found this collection very poignant, even if I didn’t “love” every story. Each one had something important to say and that really was the impact of the collection. My personal ratings of the stories is below – but I want to emphasize that even though each story may not have been for me, I felt all of them were important.

All the Colors of Goodbye by Nafiza Azad – 4 stars
The Wedding by Sara Farizan – 5 stars
Where I’m From by Misa Sugiura – 4 stars
Salvation & the Sea by Lilliam Rivera – 3 stars
Volviemdome by Alaya Dawn Johnson – 3 stars
The Trip by Sona Charaipotra – 4 stars
The Curandera & the Alchemist by Maria E. Andreu – 4 stars
A Bigger Tent by Maurene Goo – 4 stars
First Words by Varsha Bajaj – 4 stars
Family Everything by Yamile Saied Mendez – 5 stars
When I was White by Justine Larbalestier – 3 stars
From Golden State by Isabel Quintero – 2 stars
Hard to Say by Sharon Morse – 5 stars
Confessions of an Ecuadorkian by Zoraida Cordova – 4 stars
Fleeing, Leaving, Moving by Adi Alsaid – 4 stars

Happy reading!