Reviews

Cool. Awkward. Black. by Karen Strong

thenextgenlibrarian's review

4.0

A YA anthology featuring amazing authors about being cool, awkward and Black.

ftmemobrew89's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

booknerderika's review against another edition

3.75

Our Joy, Our Power - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
 The Book Club - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
 Nina Evans, in the Round - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
 Earth is Ghetto - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
 Initiative Check - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
 Corner Booth - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
 Betty's Best Craft - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
 The Panel Shows the Girl - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
 Spirit-Filled - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
 Cole's Cruise Blues - ⭐️⭐️
 High Strangeness - ⭐️⭐️
 Catalyst Rising - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
 Requiem of Souls - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
 Honor Code - ⭐️⭐️
 Drive Time - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
 Wolf Tracks - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
 The Hero's Journey - ⭐️⭐️
 Abyss - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This anthology soothed my nerdy heart.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent, Gore, Murder, Religious bigotry, Violence, Deadnaming, Cursing, Homophobia, Domestic abuse, Grief, Racism, Bullying, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, and Mental illness

cinderthemoon25's review

hopeful inspiring lighthearted

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

thenextgenlib's review

4.0

A YA anthology featuring amazing authors about being cool, awkward and Black.

latenight_pageturner's review

5.0

Finishing this took much longer than I expected! But enjoyed reading this aloud with my 9-year-old who has recently gotten into anime, and sci fi, and loves both of those things when there's also a love story involved. My personal favorite was "Hero's Journey" *chef's kiss*.

breadin's review

funny inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

words_with_wendy's review

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring reflective 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

4.0

once_upon_a_storybook's review

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

I’m not really an anthology reader but this one was actually really good. I enjoyed most of the stories and I love how much I related this. You get to see black teens living their best queer and nerdy life, not afraid of being judge, they’re just themselves unapologetically and it’s absolutely refreshing to see. I would’ve loved this as a kid but even as an adults, it still had me in my feels. 

bookbuyingwithkatie's review

lighthearted 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

4.5