Allies: Real Talk About Showing Up, Screwing Up, And Trying Again

by Shakirah Bourne, Dana Alison Levy

Overview

This book is for everyone. Because we can all be allies.

As an ally, you use your power—no matter how big or small—to support others. You learn, and try, and mess up, and try harder. In this collection of true stories, 17 critically acclaimed and bestselling YA authors get real about being an ally, needing an ally, and showing up for friends and strangers. 

From raw stories of racism and invisible disability to powerful moments of passing the mic, these authors share their truths. They invite you to think about your own experiences and choices and how to be a better ally.

There are no easy answers, but this book helps you ask better questions. Self-reflection prompts, resources, journaling ideas, and further reading suggestions help you find out what you can do. Because we’re all in this together. And we all need allies. 

A portion of the proceeds from this book goes to supporting charities. 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780744039917
Publisher:	DK
Publication date:	09/14/2021
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	6.38(w) x 9.50(h) x 1.00(d)
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

Shakirah Bourne is a Barbadian author and filmmaker whose work has won numerous awards. She’s known for her use of dialect and how she explores local culture, often exposing hypocrisy, and revealing hidden aspects of a so-called Caribbean paradise. Recently, she has been writing for young people who like mythological and fantastical tales, beginning with her debut children's novel, Josephine Against the Sea. Find her online @shakirahwrites or www.shakirahbourne.com.

Dana Alison Levy is the author of many acclaimed books for young readers, including It Wasn’t Me and the Family Fletcher novels. Her first novel for teens, Above All Else, was published in 2020. When not writing, Dana enjoys traveling, eating, taking photos of her cats, and smashing toxic white supremicist patriarchal norms. She makes a lot of mistakes and tries to learn from them. Find her at www.danaalisonlevy.com or wasting time on Twitter or Instagram @danaalisonlevy.

Table of Contents

1 Dana's Absolutely Perfect Fail-Safe No Mistakes Guaranteed Way to Be an Ally Dana Alison Levy 10

2 An Open Letter to the Young Black Queer Cam Montgomery 24

3 Hey Kid, Choose Your Battles Eric Smith 36

4 Round and Round We Go Kayla Whaley 46

5 This Is What It Feels Like A.J. Sass 58

6 A Bus, a Poster, and a Mirror Brendan Kiely 76

7 Travel Logs of a Black Caribbean Woman: Embracing the Glitches Shakirah Bourne 90

8 Stutter Buddy Derick Brooks 108

9 The Unsafe Space Adiba Jaigirdar 120

10 Dismantling Judgment Lizzie Huxley-Jones 134

11 "Why Didn't Anyone Else Say Anything?" Naomi Natalie Evans 146

12 From Author, to Ally, to Co-conspirator I.W. Gregorio 160

13 Lupe Aida Salazar 172

14 "Did You Know Gandhi Was Racist?" Sharan Dhaliwal 180

15 Lifting As She Climbs Andrea L. Rogers 192

16 Counting on Esteban Marietta B. Zacker 202

Stuff to think about, further reading, and more resources 215

About the authors 234

Acknowledgments 239

Editorial Reviews

"This stellar treasury of insightful and varied anecdotes provides readers with invaluable information as they navigate allyship."—School Library Journal, Starred Review

From the Publisher

★ 10/01/2021

Gr 7 Up—This anthology of essays is a candid exploration of allyship, described as, "A constant act—not a state of being." A general content warning is provided at the beginning advising vulnerable readers to put the book down or visit the resources in the back for assistance. The term ally is used to show the ways people with privilege show up and support those who are systematically oppressed. Other words used include accomplice or coconspirator. Co-editor Levy focuses on the importance of continually using the power of your privilege to speak out, stand up, show up, and boost voices of marginalized people to help take on oppression from systemic racism and other forms of discrimination. Levy frankly describes the practice of quiet allyship. This may come in the form of amplifying marginalized voices, shopping at BIPOC-owned stores, promoting inclusive books, following diverse voices on social media, and sharing pronouns. This book asks: Will you speak up, even when the oppressed person/group is not in the room? The anecdotes in this compilation are vast and astute, while still accessible to teens. Contributing authors include Aida Salazar, Eric Smith, I.W. Gregorio, Adiba Jaigirdar, Brendan Kiely, and more. Resources include recommended organizations, books, websites, and digital media from the authors. Tips for bystanders, how to call out racism, and prompts for self-reflection are also featured. VERDICT This stellar treasury of insightful and varied anecdotes provides readers with invaluable information as they navigate allyship. This would also be a spectacular choice for a classroom discussion/book club.—Lisa Krok, Morley Lib., Cleveland, OH

School Library Journal