Rural Voices; 15 Authors Challenge Assumptions About Small-Town America

ABOUT RURAL VOICES

Think you know what rural America is like? Discover a plurality of perspectives in this enlightening anthology of stories that turns preconceptions on their head.

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 oppr*ss**n [government censored] and been a source of it, but now he’s ready to own his true s*x**l 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 d*v*rs*ty of rural America and the people who call it home. Fifteen extraordinary authors—d*v*rs* in ethnic background, s*x**l 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.

ISBN# 1536226065

About the editor: Nora Shalaway Carpenter holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts and teaches writing workshops at the Highlights Foundation. 

Image description: The cover illustration displays an illustration of a rural landscape with rolling hills, trees, and houses, in the colors green, blue, brown, and orange. The top half is the blue open sky and has the authors' names, and title printed.