Gracie sees a chance of fitting in at her South Carolina private school, until a "white trash"-themed Halloween party has her steering clear of the rich kids. Samuel's Tejano family has both stood up to oppression and been a source of it, but now he's ready to own his true sexual identity. A Puerto Rican teen in Utah discovers that being a rodeo queen means embracing her heritage, not shedding it. . . .
For most of America's history, rural people and culture have been casually mocked, stereotyped, and, in general, deeply misunderstood. Now an array of short stories, poetry, graphic short stories, and personal essays, along with anecdotes from the authors' real lives, dives deep into the complexity and diversity of rural America and the people who call it home. Fifteen extraordinary authors—diverse in ethnic background, sexual orientation, geographic location, and socioeconomic status—explore the challenges, beauty, and nuances of growing up in rural America. From a mountain town in New Mexico to the gorges of New York to the arctic tundra of Alaska, you'll find yourself visiting parts of this country you might not know existed—and meet characters whose lives might be surprisingly similar to your own.
Rural Voices
Buying Options
A layered compelling collection
An NPR Best Book of the Year
that helps close the distances between us all."
An NPR Best Book of 2020
A Bank Street Best Book of the Year
A 2022 Texas Library Association TAYSHAS list selection
YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults 2022 Selection
Winner of 2 Nautilus Awards
Gold, Best Mid-Grade Fiction
Best Overall Mid-Grade & YA
Whippoorwill Award Winner
A Junior Library Guild selection
A Country Living magazine Front Porch Book Club Book of the Month
accolades
- Kathi Appelt, author of the Newbery Honor Book & National Book Award finalist The Underneath
"These stories, each one a sweetly crafted gem, are like exquisite stops along the lesser-traveled roads that lead to-or away from-home places, those small towns and villages that serve not only as beginnings and endings, but more importantly as the very middles of our hearts. It's like getting off the interstate and just letting the road take you there. You won't be sorry."
- Traci Sorell, author of the American Indian Youth Literature Award
Honor Book and Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book
We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga
"A rich, not to be missed collection that defies stereotypical images and reflects the actual diversity and economic realities of teens living in rural areas today."
- Country Living
"A must-read for all of us who call the country home and those who don't but want a glimpse at the beautiful diversity of country life all the same."
- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Particularly rich storytelling."
- School Library Connection
"A must-purchase for libraries serving middle and high school readers. Highly recommended."
- NPR
"A page-turning YA anthology that illuminates the diversity of rural communities – their conflicts, nuances and blessings...a layered, compelling collection that helps close the distances between us all."
