GENERATION WONDER

Established YA author Lyga edits this collection of stories about superpowered teens.

In “Love To Hate” by Lamar Giles, superstar basketball player Ty’s ability to slow down time comes in handy when someone brings a gun to a game. Leonard uses his newfound skill—telekinesis—to combat injustice against Indigenous folks in his town in “Ordinary Kid” by Joseph Bruchac. Nessa and Casey in Sterling Gates’ “The Night I Caught a Bullet” receive an unusual inheritance from their late father: mysterious silver bracelets. And a group of cheerleaders has a secret that Cece’s made it her mission to find out in “Fly, Lions, Fly” by Morgan Baden. These are among the short stories in this anthology that includes works by well-known authors such as Axie Oh, Danielle Paige, Anna-Marie McLemore, and Lyga himself. Varian Johnson’s “The Knight’s Gambit” is particularly powerful: Following the son of a celebrated superhero who unearths his familial legacy, it underlines how trauma can shape a person’s trajectory. Sarah MacLean’s “Fire That Lasts” provides a standout setting—a world where strong emotions are illegal, starring a protagonist who falls in love. The collection as a whole satisfies, with a wide range of lived experiences represented. Dramatic and impactful illustrations by cartoonist Doran open each story.

Thirteen solid stories from an all-star lineup.