Here We Are: Feminism for the Real World

by Kelly Jensen

Overview

LET'S GET THE FEMINIST PARTY STARTED!

Have you ever wanted to be a superheroine? Join a fandom? Create the perfect empowering playlist? Understand exactly what it means to be a feminist in the twenty-first century? You’ve come to the right place.

Forty-four writers, dancers, actors, and artists contribute essays, lists, poems, comics, and illustrations about everything from body positivity to romance to gender identity to intersectionality to the greatest girl friendships in fiction. Together, they share diverse perspectives on and insights into what feminism means and what it looks like. Come on in, turn the pages, and be inspired to find your own path to feminism by the awesome individuals in Here We Are.

Welcome to one of the most life-changing parties around!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781616205867
Publisher:	Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill
Publication date:	01/24/2017
Pages:	240
Sales rank:	296,232
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)
Lexile:	1070L (what's this?)
Age Range:	14 - 17 Years

About the Author

Kelly Jensen is a former librarian and current editor at Book Riot and her own popular book blog, Stacked. She's the editor of two highly-acclaimed YA anthologies, Here We Are: Feminism For The Real World and (Don't) Call Me Crazy: 33 Voices Start The Conversation About Mental Health. Her writing has been featured in Bust Magazine, Fortune, Bustle, and more. When not working with words, she teaches yoga, hangs out with a motley crew of pets, and enjoys all of the black licorice no one else wants. Follow her on Instagram @heykellyjensen and her website kellybjensen.com.

Table of Contents

Introduction x

Chapter 1 Starting the Journey 1

Forever Feminist Malinda Lo 2

What Does "Feminism" Mean? A Brief History of the Word, from Its Beginnings All the Way up to the Present Suzannah Weiss 7

Feminist Songs to Sing Along To Kody Keplinger 12

Bad Feminist: Take Two Roxane Gay 13

FAQs about Feminism 17

Privilege Matt Nathanson 18

Chapter 2 Body and Mind 22

The Monster Book of Questions and Answers Anne Thériault 24

The Big Blue Ocean and My Big Fat Body Angie Manfredi 30

Ten Amazing Scientists Anne Thériault 33

Pretty Enough Alida Nugent 34

So I Guess This Is Growing Up Liz Prince 38

I Have Always Eaten the Bread Lily Myers 41

Bad Hair Day Stasia Burrington 46

Dragging Myself into Self-love Constance Augusta Zaber 47

Chapter 3 Gender, Sex, and Sexuality 52

The Likability Rule Courtney Summers 54

Broken Body, Worthless Girl, and Other Lies I Called the Truth Kayla Whaley 59

FAQs about Feminism 64

All the Bodies Rafe Posey 65

Do Female Black lives Matter Too? Amandla Stenberg 70

Judgments Pomona Lake 71

An Interview with Laverne Cox: "I Absolutely Consider Myself a Feminist" Tricia Romano 72

Feminism Is as Feminism Does Mia Michaela DePrince 76

Chapter 4 Culture and Pop Culture 86

Somewhere in America Zaxiya Allen 88

Choose Your Own Adventure: Why Fandom Is Eight for You (Yes, You!) Brenna Clarke Gray 92

Drawing for Inspiration Michelle Hiraishi 98

FAQs about Feminism 100

Facets of Feminism Mikki Kendall 101

Opportunity Risa Rodil 105

Top 10 List of Black Female Friends Brandy Colbert 106

Don't Cash Crop on My Cornrows Amandla Stenberg 108

A Conversation about Girls' Stories and Girls' Voices with Laurie Halse Anderson and Courtney Summers Kelly Jensen 111

Chapter 5 Relationships 120

Girl lessons Sarah McCarry 122

The Princess and the Witch Wendy Xu 127

Corny Won't Kill Your Cred: Rearview Mirror Reflections on Feminism and Romance Siobhan Vivian 134

Great Girl Friendships in Fiction Sarah McCarry 139

Faith and the Feminist Kaye Mirza 140

Bechdel Test 146

In Search of Sisterhood by Brandy Colbert 147

A Feminist love Jessica Luther 154

Chapter 6 Confidence and Ambition 158

The "Nice Girl" Feminist Ashley Rope Pérez 160

5 Tips for "Nice Girl" Feminists Ashley Hope Pérez 167

Shrinking Women Lily Myers 168

Dear Teen Me: It Would Have Changed Everything; It Would Have Changed Nothing Erika T. Wurth 170

FAQs about Feminism 173

A Thousand Paper Cuts Shveta Thakrar 174

The Win That Comes from losing Wendy Davis 180

Chapter 7 Go Your Own Way 184

Many Stories, Many Roads Daniel José Older 186

That's What She Became Jen Talley 190

Reading Worthy Women Nova Ren Suma 191

Six Great Comics by Women, about Women, for Everyone Brenna Clarke Gray 200

FAQs about Feminism 201

The Choice Is Yours Kody Keplinger 202

A Guide to Being a Teenage Superheroine Allison Peyton Steger Rebecca Sexton 206

Don't Peak in High School Mindy Kaling 212

Owning My Feminism Kelly Jensen 215

Intersectional Rosie the Riveter Tyler Feder 218

Acknowledgments 219

Further Reading 220

Contributor Bios 222

Copyrights 227

Editorial Reviews

★ 11/28/2016
Blogger and editor Jensen compiles a scrapbook-style collection of diverse reflections on feminism’s past and present from more than 40 authors, poets, and artists. Each of the book’s seven sections (“Body and Mind,” “Gender, Sex, and Sexuality,” etc.) features thoughtful and challenging essays that consider the intersection of feminism with body image, disability, mental illness, privilege, appropriation, sexuality, gender identity, and creativity. Brief “FAQs About Feminism,” lists, reading suggestions, and artwork intersperse with longer pieces; most are original to this anthology, though well-chosen excerpts of published work from the likes of Roxane Gay and Mindy Kaling are also included. Laurie Halse Anderson and Courtney Summers discuss rape culture in life and their literature; Sarah McCarry, Kayla Whaley, and Erika T. Wurth offer compassionate appeals to their younger selves; and comics artists and poets are also represented (“We were taught that just because something happens/ doesn’t mean you are to talk about it,” writes Zariya Allen). Sophisticated yet entirely accessible, the collection is valuable both for the breadth of thought and perspective it represents and for the support it directs toward readers. Ages 14–up. Agent: Tina Wexler, ICM. (Feb.)

Publishers Weekly

A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year (2017, Nonfiction)

“A progressive antidote to the ancient teen health textbooks that mull over the dry basics of teen identity . . . a stellar collection  . . . An embarrassment of riches.”
—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
 
“Earnest, conversational, and dauntlessly unapologetic . . . An education unto itself, the message of inclusion and strength is invaluable.”
—Booklist, starred review
 
“Fantastic . . . There is something here for everyone. This celebratory examination of feminism is a much-needed addition to teen collections.”
—School Library Journal, starred review
 
“Sophisticated yet entirely accessible, the collection is valuable both for the breadth of thought and perspective it represents and for the support it directs toward readers.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Within the lively pages of Here We Are is a 21st-century ‘feminist party,’ and everyone is invited . . . This exciting, provocative anthology for young adults collects diverse and even fascinatingly contradictory viewpoints on modern feminism.”
—Shelf Awareness for Readers, starred review
 
“A pithy, accessible guide where young people can find support and answers to their questions, from what does feminism mean to how to be a real-life superheroine . . . generous, informative . . . This timely anthology offers words and role models to help young people . . . as they chart their own course.”
—Washington Post

“Here We Are not only presents an inclusive and hopeful vision for the future of feminism, it also boldly and proudly passes the torch to the next generation of leaders.”
—Teen Vogue
 
“Jensen has assembled a collection of meditations on what it means to be a woman today that is both important and gripping . . . HERE WE ARE is a book every feminist will want to get for the teen in their life—and will end up reading and learning from, too.”
—Bust
 
“In an exceptionally inclusive and diverse anthology featuring pieces from 44 creators, editor Kelly Jensen has curated a definition of feminism that is a safe space of equality and acceptance for everyone . . . A top-notch guide for all.”
—The Globe & Mail
 
“[A] feminist power tome.”
—New York Magazine/The Strategist
 
“Forty-four writers, performers, artists and more contribute to this 'zine-like collection that offers reading lists, comics, a 4-step guide for becoming a superheroine, and essays from writers like Mindy Kaling.”
—InStyle
 
 “Kelly Jensen’s anthology is too good to pass up. In Here We Are, Jensen collects a ton of great pieces from authors, actresses, dancers, and more, all centered around the theme of feminism. Nova Ren Suma? Brandy Colbert? Mindy Kaling? Oof, this book is fantastic.”
—Paste Magazine, A Most Anticipated Young Adult Book of 2017 
 
“This scrapbook-style guide book has everything any teen would every want to know about feminism packed into one fun, unique package . . . an inspiring read for young adults that examines where feminism stands today, and what we need to do next to help it succeed in the future.”
—Bustle
 
 “[Here We Are] brings a diverse millennial perspective to the feminist movement.”
—Justine Magazine
 
“[Jensen’s] strength is on full display in this dynamic collection of essays, interviews, comic strips and more, which brings together a chorus of diverse viewpoints, from women and men, to help teens understand, broaden and visualize their own definition of contemporary feminism.”
—Chicago Tribune
 
“Here We Are takes on difficult and painful subjects . . . yet as a whole the book has an uplifting, hopeful tone. Older sisters and aunts (and a few older brothers and uncles) are sharing their stories and offering their encouragement. The book’s scrapbook-like design adds to its friendliness. Jensen also incorporates spot illustrations and relevant comics . . . [and] offers several sparking pop-culture pieces . . .”
—Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel 

“The book delivers. Collating the perspectives and experience of a wide variety of contributors, the book is both about speaking and listening – about our differences in experience. More than that, the book is about handing over the torch to those who have these different perspectives rather than speaking over them . . . I wish this was a book that had existed when I was thirteen or fourteen.”
—Spectra Magazine
 
“Here We Are is the book about navigating young adulthood that I wish had been available to me as a teenager . . . The range of experiences included is intimate . . .  and makes it hard for readers not to spot themselves in the pages. In fact, the book’s accessibility is a major factor in its success.”—Roanoke Times (Roanoke, VA)
 
“An accessible collection of contemporary feminist writing and an introduction to twenty-first-century feminism. By embracing the voices of women, men, people of color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and myriad other identities, the book sends a strong message that feminism is for everyone.”
—The Horn Book Magazine
 
“Feminism remains a hot-button topic, and this makes an excellent introduction to a complicated movement based on a simple concept of equality.”
—Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
 
“Here We Are is the kind of book you dip into over and over again, to learn something new about feminism and social justice, to marvel at all the different paths to creative expression and courage, to find little rays of hope when things some oppressively broken. Poems, manifestos, interviews, FAQs, short stories, comics: the many pieces collected here come from role models like Mindy Kaling and Laverne Cox and from young women who are speaking up and reshaping the future.”
—Apple iBooks
 
“This awesome feminist scrapbook is required reading for 2017 . . . [a] guide to finding feminism for yourself. The mishmash of perspectives (so many razor-sharp opinions!) will make you think, question your own ideals, and get a better grasp on how we can stay empowered through the future.”
—Clover Letter
 
“Here We Are is the book you wish you’d had as a teenager . . . Buy this for your younger sibling, your besties’ kids, any female or gender minority teenager you happen to be close to.”
—Rebellious Magazine
 
“A great introduction for teen (and adult) readers. Whether you're looking for a playlist of feminist songs to sing along to from Kody Keplinger, advice for surviving high school from Mindy Kaling or a handy chart of FAQs, this book has you covered.”
—Bookpage
 
 “This book is so much more than an anthology, more than an invaluable and insightful text, more than a book that ought to be in every high school in the country—though it is all those things. Here We Are is, simply, a gift.”
—B&N Teen Blog
 
“This is perfect for teens looking for diverse perspectives on the titular topic; some tips and advice for living as a feminist; and/or an optimistic peek at the future of feminism . . . readers will find themselves immersed in a dynamic exploration of inclusion and strength.”
—VOYA
 
“Here We Are is an excellent work that makes the topic of feminism approachable and engaging.”
—Foreword Reviews
 
“Just go ahead and buy like twenty of these, okay? Give them out for birthdays, for holidays, for graduation gifts. This book is for everyone and makes it clear that feminism is, too.”
—Teen Librarian Toolbox
 
“An accessible, engaging collection that readers won’t want to miss out on.”
—Bookish
 
“Insightful . . . Sure to rally teens, Here We Are is a loving tribute to the gains feminism has made—and a call to action that encourages readers to continue to strive for equality and inclusivity.”
—SchoolLibraryJournal.com
 
“This book is absolutely invaluable for young people for whom it is written. It shows people what feminism is, how it can be inclusive and how it is not just a line of thought but a way of life. With brightly coloured papers and a fun layout, with essays often interspersed with artwork and playlists, I reckon this book will appeal to even the most resistant of readers. Highly recommended.”
—The Book Wars
 
“These essays are entertaining, encouraging, and informative, and serve to introduce young readers to feminism in all its breadth, or to encourage them along as they forge their ways within it.”
—ForewordReviews.com
 
“An incredibly engaging collection of essays, and one of the most important non-fiction YA reads of the year. Buy it for every teenage girl in your life. Buy it for every teenage boy in your life. Buy it for every teenager who doesn’t conform to the gender binary. Hell, I know many, many adults who would benefit from the messages contained in this diverse celebration of feminism . . . In short, I can’t recommend this book enough.”
—TheYoungFolks.com
 
“An introduction to some modern, intersectional feminist works where black women’s voices, stories and perspectives are given the space to be seen as the leaders of this movement they have always been.”
—GirlTalkHQ.com
 
“Absolutely delightful, insightful . . .”
—Novel Ink
 
“Really great . . . it would be an excellent gift for a young person in your life.”
—Go Fug Yourself
 
“An scrapbook-style anthology by 44 feminist contributors which includes essays, lists, poems, comics, and illustrations. It was written with teens in mind, but people of all ages will come back to it again and again.”
—Romper

From the Publisher

★ 01/01/2017
Gr 7 Up—The ever-evolving concept of feminism is approached through a variety of mediums, from essays and drawings to comics and poems, in this fantastic collected work. In six chapters, more than 40 contributors explore how necessary feminism is for both women and men, whether they engage with it personally, socially, or politically. A broad but always inclusive experience of feminism is conveyed. In a reproduced interview with Tricia Romano for DAME magazine, Laverne Cox emphasizes that trans issues are feminist issues. Liz Prince's comic So I Guess This Is Growing Up reveals how she exhibited misogynistic behavior toward other women when she was younger. Interspersed throughout the chapters are lists ("Top Ten Black Female Friendships," "Great Female Scientists") and sections titled "FAQs About Feminism." Bold, patterned borders surround the essays, with doodles and collage-style illustrations by Palese scattered throughout. There are also a number of examples of original artwork (for instance, Tyler Feder's "Intersectional Rosie the Riveter"). This eclectic assembly will educate, inspire, and prompt further exploration. VERDICT There is something here for everyone. This celebratory examination of feminism is a much-needed addition to teen collections.—Tamara Saarinen, Pierce County Library, WA

School Library Journal

★ 2016-11-16
A progressive antidote to the ancient teen health textbooks that mull over the dry basics of teen identity. Jensen here assembles a stellar collection of writings—prose, illustrated pieces, and poetry—that showcase contemporary expressions of feminism: what it is, what it isn't, and what it can be, as defined by each writer. Representing a diverse demographic, contributing authors include Roxane Gay, Anne Thériault, Malinda Lo, Daniel José Older, Ashley Hope Pérez, and Alida Nugent. Prominent authors and performers share space with bloggers and young people, and voices span a range of gender expressions. Characteristic of the quality on offer is a priceless, heartfelt comic by Wendy Xu that explores the bumpy road of a teen romance that ultimately moves her to affirm her Asian identity. The mix of approaches and the brevity of the pieces make this a book that can easily act as a text for any high school class wanting to engage with the topic of feminism. The collection deconstructs stereotypical notions of feminism, teaching readers that feminism is more than just transcending gender norms. Through the multiplicity of stories, readers learn that feminism is a personal statement that expresses itself differently for each individual. With its thoughtful, scrapbooklike design and variety of socio-economic and cultural perspectives, the book invites young readers to engage in this roundtable discussion. An embarrassment of riches. (Anthology. 12-18)

Kirkus Reviews