Harmonious Hearts: A Harmony Ink Press Anthology

Gr 9 Up—In the publisher's first Young Author Challenge anthology, the authors of these LGBTQ short stories range in age from 16 to 21. The stories share common themes of hope, love, acceptance, and happiness. The entries include many genres, such as fairy tales, the supernatural, science fiction, fantasy, and realism. Standouts include "Tess" by Becca Ehlers. Here, girlfriends Sam and Tess reassess their relationship when Sam, who is not yet ready to be out, heads to New York for college. In "Paranormal Honor Society" by Leigh Taylor, Andi, who prefers the pronouns "ze" and "hir" and calls hirself "gender fluid," starts a new school and is immediately embraced by the paranormal club. The teenagers work to solve the mystery of who has been killing women in their town, certain something supernatural must be behind the deaths. Some club members wonder if Andi could be the murderer, though as one humorously points out, "You're confusing gender fluidity with werewolves again." The final piece, "The King of Dorkdom," by Avery Burrow tells the story of Wallace, who is about to meet his online best friend. Wallace should be excited, but is scared because he identifies as "gender ambiguous and most people in his town know him as Molly. Other narratives cover coming out, opposites attracting, careless insults, a wish granted, and a boy who never speaks. What the selections may lack in sophistication, they more than make up for in spirit in this wonderfully diverse collection.—Amanda MacGregor, formerly at Apollo High School Library, St. Cloud, MN