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notoriouskog's review against another edition
4.0
Great compilation of short stories! They have amazingly diverse characters and are perfect for using in small group sessions (LGBT, Hispanic characters, historical fiction, etc.)! As a middle grade teacher, I plan on utilizing these stories in my classroom.
spunglass's review against another edition
4.0
Flying Lessons & Other Stories really managed to impress me. But out of everything in here the stories that stuck with me the most were "How to Transform an Everyday, Ordinary Hoop Court", "Secret Samantha" and of course "Flying Lessons".
eponineeurydice's review against another edition
4.0
Ahhh this was so diverse and beautiful and captivating, thank you to my brilliant creative writing teacher for recommending this! This book featured some marvelous rep, from mental health to disability to ethnicity to sexuality, and I think that any middle-grader-or anyone of any age-would greatly benefit by reading these unique, beautiful stories. Some are funny, others bittersweet, but they all encapsulate many different aspects of life and illuminate many perspectives; I really appreciate the work of Ellen Oh for putting this together and I think if you're looking for a quick, charming read that you can see yourself and countless others in, this is for you.
trisha___d's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
bibliobrandie's review against another edition
5.0
Loved these short stories for middle grade written by some of the best authors. I especially loved "The Beans & Rice Chronicles of Isaiah Dunn."
booagnes's review against another edition
4.0
It is no secret that the world needs more diversity. Or rather, we need to embrace more diversity. How boring would it be if everybody was exactly the same? I personally love how people are so different from one another, with different traditions, food, languages, culture, mythologies, you name it. Lately, I have been making a conscious effort to read more books with characters of a different background and ethnicity than my own. I have found that doing so has greatly enriched my life and made me even more curious about the world around me! Having this desire to read more diverse books in my own life made it easy to jump at the chance to read Flying Lessons & Other Stories.
The funny thing about me reading an anthology is I have never really been a fan. Now, I'm not saying they're bad in any way, it's just that I get involved in the story, the characters, and then it... ends. I want more! I have tried my hand at reading them a few times, but I still found I had a hard time not knowing more. Am I alone in this? Anyway, one of the things that impressed me most about Flying Lessons & Other Stories is the fact that I felt they all ended quite well. They seemed much more full and complete on their own than others I have tried in the past. Kudos to all!
One of my favorite stories was Choctaw Bigfoot, Midnight in the Mountains by Tim Tingle. I loved "Turtle Kid", his dozens of cousins, and his animated Uncle Kenneth. The story Uncle Kenneth tells about the Naloosha Chitto, or Bigfoot, is awesome. I could easily visualize all the children gathered around their Uncle Kenneth at the big family event, listening with wide eyes, and asking many questions. This story was charm itself.
Another favorite of mine was The Beans and Rice Chronicles of Isaiah Dunn by Kelly J. Baptist. My heart broke and lifted continuously for Isaiah and his family. They experience a lot of hardship, and he misses his father tremendously, but Isaiah always seems to find a way to make it through. He is one tough kid, that is for sure. Along the way, he discovers some stories his dad had been writing. It was lovely to see how Isaiah pays homage to his father whilst also trying to keep his family afloat. Isaiah's tale is at times sad and heartbreaking, but ultimately hopeful.
I could talk and talk about the stories within this anthology for quite a while, but I shall refrain... for now. Honestly, I was most pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this particular anthology. I would love to read longer versions of so many of them, but I am satisfied with the length of them nonetheless. Flying Lessons & Other Stories is a spectacular anthology with top-notch authors and engaging stories. I highly recommend it to all!
*Actual rating 3/5 out of 5*
**The publisher sent me a digital advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, which I originally posted on my blog, She Dreams in Fiction.**
The funny thing about me reading an anthology is I have never really been a fan. Now, I'm not saying they're bad in any way, it's just that I get involved in the story, the characters, and then it... ends. I want more! I have tried my hand at reading them a few times, but I still found I had a hard time not knowing more. Am I alone in this? Anyway, one of the things that impressed me most about Flying Lessons & Other Stories is the fact that I felt they all ended quite well. They seemed much more full and complete on their own than others I have tried in the past. Kudos to all!
One of my favorite stories was Choctaw Bigfoot, Midnight in the Mountains by Tim Tingle. I loved "Turtle Kid", his dozens of cousins, and his animated Uncle Kenneth. The story Uncle Kenneth tells about the Naloosha Chitto, or Bigfoot, is awesome. I could easily visualize all the children gathered around their Uncle Kenneth at the big family event, listening with wide eyes, and asking many questions. This story was charm itself.
Another favorite of mine was The Beans and Rice Chronicles of Isaiah Dunn by Kelly J. Baptist. My heart broke and lifted continuously for Isaiah and his family. They experience a lot of hardship, and he misses his father tremendously, but Isaiah always seems to find a way to make it through. He is one tough kid, that is for sure. Along the way, he discovers some stories his dad had been writing. It was lovely to see how Isaiah pays homage to his father whilst also trying to keep his family afloat. Isaiah's tale is at times sad and heartbreaking, but ultimately hopeful.
I could talk and talk about the stories within this anthology for quite a while, but I shall refrain... for now. Honestly, I was most pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this particular anthology. I would love to read longer versions of so many of them, but I am satisfied with the length of them nonetheless. Flying Lessons & Other Stories is a spectacular anthology with top-notch authors and engaging stories. I highly recommend it to all!
*Actual rating 3/5 out of 5*
**The publisher sent me a digital advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, which I originally posted on my blog, She Dreams in Fiction.**
bibliovino's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Excellent collection of middle grade short stories working to fill the hole in diverse literature for children. Each story is expertly crafted and read by the authors. I really enjoyed these glimpses at life through the eyes of diverse children!
drridareads's review against another edition
5.0
Do you ever read a book that makes you feel all happy, warm and fuzzy? This was that book.
I don't what to say about it. All the stories were beautiful and unique in their own. They felt pure. 5 stars seems less for this book.
If I were to individually write about all these stories. I'd probably just use synonyms for beautiful to describe each.
I want to shove this book in everyone's face. Only problem is I don't have a lot of friends that read.
This book is for everyone out there, specially if you're feeling low.
These stories were uplifting. They featured such different well crafted characters.
Stories that dealt with strong themes such as racism and parenting, did not tone it down.
I absolutely LOVED it <3
The cover as well is amazing. It's not much, it's pretty simple and yet it felt inviting.
I don't what to say about it. All the stories were beautiful and unique in their own. They felt pure. 5 stars seems less for this book.
If I were to individually write about all these stories. I'd probably just use synonyms for beautiful to describe each.
I want to shove this book in everyone's face. Only problem is I don't have a lot of friends that read.
This book is for everyone out there, specially if you're feeling low.
These stories were uplifting. They featured such different well crafted characters.
Stories that dealt with strong themes such as racism and parenting, did not tone it down.
I absolutely LOVED it <3
The cover as well is amazing. It's not much, it's pretty simple and yet it felt inviting.
laureljobstown's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
wishfulfillment's review against another edition
4.0
Why I recommend bumping this up on your TBR: This is my favorite short story collection so far. It tackles topics of diversity such as race, sexual orientation, class, age, culture, etc. Each story is completely different than the one before it, and each offers something to the reader. It's quick, fun, and enlightening, not to mention all #ownvoices.