Calling the Moon: 16 Period Stories from BIPOC Authors
Written by Aida Salazar (Editor)
and Yamile Saied Mendez (Editor)
Published by Candlewick Press
An essential, highly relatable collection of short fiction and poems around the topic of menstruation, written exclusively by authors who are Black, Indigenous, and/or people of color.
For Angela, it came on the basketball court—while playing on the boys’ team. For Penny, it came on a lakeside field trip, inspiring some cringeworthy moments of humor. And to Layla’s disappointment, it came at the start of her first fasting Ramadan, mandating that she take a “holiday.” Whether their period’s coming spurs silence or celebration, whether they are well prepared for it or totally in the dark, the young people in these sixteen stories find that getting a period brings not only changes to their bodies, but also joy, sorrow, and self-discovery. Featuring BIPOC contributors who are some of today’s most talented authors in middle-grade fiction, Calling the Moon offers coming-of-age stories and poetry as varied as the phases of the moon, from funny to heartbreaking to powerful, all of them reassuring readers that they are not alone in their period journey.
With contributions by:
Hilda Eunice Burgos * Veeda Bybee * Susan Muaddi Darraj * Saadia Faruqi * Nikki Grimes * Leah Henderson * Mason J. * Erin Entrada Kelly * Guadalupe Garcia McCall * Elise McMullen-Ciotti * Yamile Saied Méndez * Emma Otheguy * Aida Salazar * Christina Soontornvat * Padma Venkatraman * Ibi Zoboi
Primary ISBN: 9781536216349
Publication Date: March 2023
Available As: Hardcover, eBook
Essay Collection, Middle Grade , Age 10 or older
Community Represented: Argentinian/Argentinian American, Filipino/Filipino American, Haitian/Haitian American, Indian/Indian American, Mexican/Mexican American, Pakistani/Pakistani American, Thai/Thai American, Various
Themes: Accolades & Awards: Starred Review, Celebrations, Coming of Age, Family Relationship: Parents, Format: Anthology, Identity: Body Image, Identity: Multiracial, LGBTQIA+, Own Voices/Lived Experience, Trauma & Healing
Setting: Various
Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Various
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience
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