From Booklist, Sept. 1993, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

Gr. 5-8. To make multiculturalism the theme of an anthology is like making LIFE the theme. Yes, we do need to redress the Eurocentric bias that has dominated kids' reading for so long, but a collection still needs some unifying principle other than that the 14 stories are about lots of American ethnic groups. However, there are some beautiful pieces here, and individual stories will stimulate classroom discussion. In fact, this collection is being used in a pilot volunteer program in New York City's middle schools. Lesley Namioka's "The All-American Slurp" is a hilarious comedy about table manners across cultures; Grace Paley's "The Loudest Voice" is a rich story about a Jewish girl in her school's Christmas play. Francisco Jim{?}enez's "The Circuit" is a heartbreaking account of a migrant child laborer. Some of the best stories--such as Gish Jen's "The White Umbrella" and Langston Hughes' "Thank You, M'am"--have a poignant humor that makes us see how we are all vulnerable, all connected. (Reviewed Sept. 1, 1993)¾: Hazel Rochman.