YA‘Fifty-eight African American women authors‘Alice Walker, Lucille Clifton, Gloria Naylor, and Rita Dove among them‘have contributed stunning poems and short stories to this contemporary anthology. Many different writing styles and viewpoints are represented in selections about motherhood, violence, sex, aging, drugs, health, friendship, and love. This is an in-your-face kind of book. Language is bold, frank, and sexual. It is an exciting mix of shock and sensitivity. Poems' titles alone, such as ``Dildo,'' ``Clitoris,'' and ``Masturbation,'' startle readers, but the poetry itself expresses pain, thoughtfulness, and perception of the human condition. This source may not be for everyone, but many young women will find it an affirmation of their lives, their coping skills, and their survival in a world that has not always been kind to them. A wonderful mix of brashness, sophistication, and delicacy.‘Pat Royal, Crossland High School, Camp Springs, MD (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Black women are "fired up" in this anthology of poetry and short stories. They speak explicitly and with passion of their sexuality, sisterhood, and relationships with men. injecting reality into social issues like AIDS, crack, and violence. Leading the pack are well-known authors Alice Walker, Terry McMillan, and Marita Golden, who reflect on health concerns like abortion and breast cancer. Following in their wake are new voices Colleen McElroy, Dorothy Gray, and Brenda Bankhead, who contribute pieces about the process of aging. Editor Sherman (One Dark Body, LJ 1/93) introduces each section, highlighting and reinforcing what these women are most concerned with-the burning issues of the day. Highly recommended for progressive readers and women's studies collections.-Ann Burns, ``Library Journal" (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Sherman's ( One Dark Body ) anthology of contemporary poetry and short stories written by and about African-American women is simply stated a page-turner. The more than 50 works divided into nine sections about motherhood, crack and violence, friendship, sex, love and more, poignantly express an experiential truth without resorting to the distasteful or shocking. In J. California Cooper's short story ``Vanity,'' the title character is a woman whose obsession with her looks lead her on a path of loneliness, drugs and self-destruction. Written as if recorded by a family friend, the piece gives an intimate, gossipy glimpse of a tragic life. An excerpt from Marita Golden's novel and do remember me takes a realistic but tender approach toward the subject of breast cancer: ``After a long talk with a friend who had chosen not to wear a prosthesis, Macon decided to wear one. It changed nothing. She remained a one-breasted woman living with cancer.'' Ultimately, a new love interest is able to convince Macon that the uncoupled breast makes no difference to him--and shouldn't to her. With the exception of Toni Morrison, most well-known African American women writers are represented, including Rita Dove, Ntozake Shange, Alice Walker, Sonia Sanchez, Maya Angelou, Gloria Naylor and Terry McMillan. The mixture of new authors and seasoned writers makes for a refreshing blend of style and substance. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved