Cool. Awkward. Black., Karen Strong
Cool. Awkward. Black., Karen Strong
List: $27.50 | Sale: $19.25
Club: $13.75

Cool. Awkward. Black.

Author: Karen Strong

Narrator: Tashi Thomas, Langston Darby, Karen Strong

Unabridged: 12 hr 10 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 01/10/2023


Synopsis

Real or imaginary, geekdom is where it's at in this multi-genre YA anthology that celebrates "the geek," with stories by some of today's top bestselling, critically acclaimed Black authors.

Contributors include Amerie, Kalynn Bayron, Terry J. Benton-Walker, Roseanne A. Brown, Elise Bryant, Tracy Deonn, Desiree S. Evans, Isaac Fitzsimons, Lamar Giles, Jordan Ifueko, Leah Johnson, Amanda Joy, Kwame Mbalia, Tochi Onyebuchi, Shari B. Pennant, K. Arsenault Rivera, Julian Winters, and Ibi Zoboi.

A girl who believes in UFOs; a boy who might have finally found his Prince Charming; a hopeful performer who dreams of being cast in her school’s production of The Sound of Music; a misunderstood magician of sorts with a power she doesn’t quite understand.

These plotlines and many more compose the eclectic stories found within the pages of this dynamic, exciting, and expansive collection featuring exclusively Black characters. From contemporary to historical, fantasy to sci-fi, magical to realistic, and with contributions from a powerhouse list of self-proclaimed geeks and bestselling, award-winning authors, this life-affirming anthology celebrates and redefines the many facets of Blackness and geekiness—both in the real world and those imagined.

About The Author

Karen Strong is a lifelong technology and science geek and the author of the critically acclaimed middle grade novels Just South of Home and Eden’s Everdark. She has also written short fiction for Star Wars and other award-winning anthologies. A graduate of the University of Georgia, Karen lives in Atlanta. You can visit Karen Strong online at Karen-Strong.com or follow her on Twitter and Instagram @KarenMusings.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Toya (thereadingchemist) on January 16, 2023

Anthologies are always hit or miss for me when they are comprised of several authors, but I felt like this anthology was the ode to my Black, queer, nerdy heart. I related to so many of these stories and experiences. I don’t even think that I can pick a favorite because I could easily see myself in......more

Goodreads review by Bethany (Beautifully Bookish Bethany) on December 09, 2022

Cool. Awkward. Black. is a YA anthology of stories by Black authors about Black teenagers who are awkward or nerdy or just into something really specific. This is an anthology celebrating difference and the unique things that make people who they are- specifically celebrating Black teens who don't f......more

Goodreads review by atlas ♡ on November 08, 2022

I absolutely loved this! Novels like these are hard to rate just because of how contrasting the ratings between stories can be. I did overall think this was well done though. I started giving short reviews to each short story but promptly gave up around halfway when I realized how many there were. H......more

Goodreads review by Lee (Books With Lee) on February 02, 2023

3.5 ⭐️ It’s always hard for me to rate anthologies. Should you rate it based off of the total number of stories you enjoy, the cohesiveness of the stories, or maybe both? I try to take all of these things in to account. Taken together, there were some stories I loved and other that were just okay; h......more

Goodreads review by gray (my.rainbow.bookshelf) on October 06, 2023

such a solid anthology!......more


Quotes

Praise for Cool. Awkward. Black.:

* "The collection...moves beyond representation to inspiration, serving as a touchstone for young readers and writers to build on creatively. The intentional blending the rules of genre fiction magnifies the idea of authorshipyour story, your rules, societal expectations be damned." –The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review

“This energetic compilation of narratives is a beautiful tribute to and for young people who often find themselves on the margins of their social settings…A fearless and satisfying collection of expansive stories.” –Kirkus Reviews

"Utilizing varying literary genres...the creators deftly interrogate issues of racism, homophobia and transphobia, and intimate partner violence, and depict everyday joys and pains of varied Black experiences." –Publishers Weekly

"Reading [this anthology] feels like a mystery box where every story is the most coveted prize. [A] necessary purchase."  –School Library Journal