A Phoenix First Must Burn

YA short story collection 

     When she was fourteen Patrice Caldwell, editor of and contributor to A Phoenix First Must Burn: Six Teen Stories of Black Girl Magic, Resistance, and Hope, fell in love with the writings of Octavio Butler.  But she was deeply disappointed with the offerings of the children's wing of her library.  The narratives featuring Black characters were all based on suffering and historical injustice.  She kept yearning in vain to see characters who looked like her in fantasy novels.

     When she grew up she made her wish come true with an amazing collection of fantasy short stories by some of the best and brightest Black authors.

*In Elizabeth Acevedo's Gilded a slave woman who is about to gain her freedom is called upon to use her special gifts to help with an uprising.

*Nena, narrator of Alaya Dawn Johnson's The Rules Of The Land, is half mermaid, half human.  Her father has trapped her mother on land.  Her sea goddess grandmother is getting very angry.

*Etta, protagonist of Dhonielle Clayton's Hearts Turned to Ash, and Jackson had had their stars cast as soul mates when they were infants.  Now he has broken up with her and her heart is dying.  Medical science can't cure her.  But maybe the conjure woman can.

*Gamine, narrator of Danielle Paiget's The Actress, unexpectedly learns that she has inherited supernatural powers.

     These tales defy all the laws of logic and physics.  If you're a bona fide fantasy fan you are in for a real treat.

On a purrrsonal note, I had the most amazing day.  Last night I heard Eugene talking on the phone about driving to Portland to visit our two younger kids.  It had been years since we had.  This morning as we drove off I saw the most spectacular sunrise.  Spreading out from a luminescent peach base were rays of cotton candy pink, one of which stretched out in the direction in which we were driving.  It was a wonderful visit.  We had a leisurely breakfast at a diner.  We went to some stores including a really cool independent book store.  Eugene bought me a really cool coffee mug to use at school.  We also saw Archie, Katie and Jacob's cat.  It was such a precious visit, the purrrfect start to March Break.  (Jules)

Daylight Savings Time starts tomorrow at 2:00.  I have no idea why it's at that weird time.  People cheat and set them before they go to bed.  ( Tobago)

A great big shout out goes out to my amazing kids, our fabulous felines, and Eugene.

Tobago and Jules Hathaway 

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