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fkshg8465's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I’ve experienced almost every one of these scenarios, both as the recipient of vitriol and ignorance and as the daughter being told to stay small and invisible. The last story had me sobbing. This book exactly demonstrates the emotional burdens we have carried as immigrants who identify as Americans but for whom space only exists when it’s convenient for others.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Racial slurs, Racism, Cultural appropriation, and Gaslighting
imstephtacular's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Pandemic/Epidemic, Xenophobia, Hate crime, and Bullying
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Sexism, Religious bigotry, Cultural appropriation, Colonisation, Grief, Police brutality, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, Classism, and Antisemitism
greenlivingaudioworm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cultural appropriation, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, and Racial slurs
mezzythedragon's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Emotionally charged stories all dealing with anti-Asian racism and xenophobia, and the struggle to speak up against them. Except for the last story, and eventually one of the TSA agents from the first one, virtually every white character is racist in varying degrees, from downright white supremacist to blissfully ignorant yet still with a hint of obnoxiousness. Yes, that even includes white friends and family members. And what’s really upsetting is that the majority of these racists are adults, and they’re harassing kids.
AJ’s was different because the xenophobia—specifically sinophobia—was coming from his obnoxious Filipino teammates (and unfortunately, Ribay’s description of them is something I know all too well 😬🫣). Not only that, they were being classist towards his friend Saul, making fun of his lack of money (another thing I’m also familiar with). While I was glad Ribay brought up the fraught relationship between China and the Philippines, I wish he went into it more. In fact, I wish the stories also mentioned the tense relationships between East and Southeast Asians, because that totally is a thing sadly, on top of dealing with anti-Asian hate.
Henry’s story was the most touching for me. I loved his tender relationship with his dad James, who like him was autistic. Also like how he used his aikido to make some punk look bad.
It’s only fitting that Ellen Oh finishes this anthology with Soojin’s story. Seeing Oh’s never-back-down stance from Twitter, Soojin was definitely like her author, and of course when one person speaks up, everyone will.
AJ’s was different because the xenophobia—specifically sinophobia—was coming from his obnoxious Filipino teammates (and unfortunately, Ribay’s description of them is something I know all too well 😬🫣). Not only that, they were being classist towards his friend Saul, making fun of his lack of money (another thing I’m also familiar with). While I was glad Ribay brought up the fraught relationship between China and the Philippines, I wish he went into it more. In fact, I wish the stories also mentioned the tense relationships between East and Southeast Asians, because that totally is a thing sadly, on top of dealing with anti-Asian hate.
Henry’s story was the most touching for me. I loved his tender relationship with his dad James, who like him was autistic. Also like how he used his aikido to make some punk look bad.
It’s only fitting that Ellen Oh finishes this anthology with Soojin’s story. Seeing Oh’s never-back-down stance from Twitter, Soojin was definitely like her author, and of course when one person speaks up, everyone will.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Xenophobia, and Hate crime
Minor: Cultural appropriation
Also includes white girl tears and sinophobia.xangemthelibrarian's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This interwoven short story collection featuring a full Asian American cast navigating a Chicago airport is the best book I have read this year. I know there is a LOT of year left, but I'm serious: YOU ARE HERE has set a very high bar for my Favorites of 2023 list.
Reading about the microaggressions and outright racist way people in the airport treated LITERAL CHILDREN is absolutely painful to read. It hurts even more to know that the editor, Ellen Oh, asked the contributing authors to reach into their own passions and experiences. But all that pain is balanced by the sheer hope and resolve of each character in this story.
They are going to change the world. They are choosing to believe in the good. And they are going to stand up for what's right and make everyone realize that they are Americans too. And THEY ARE HERE.
Reading about the microaggressions and outright racist way people in the airport treated LITERAL CHILDREN is absolutely painful to read. It hurts even more to know that the editor, Ellen Oh, asked the contributing authors to reach into their own passions and experiences. But all that pain is balanced by the sheer hope and resolve of each character in this story.
They are going to change the world. They are choosing to believe in the good. And they are going to stand up for what's right and make everyone realize that they are Americans too. And THEY ARE HERE.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Xenophobia
Minor: Cultural appropriation and Hate crime
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