Changes

I feel bad because I want to summarise every single contribution to this collection but there are twelve and I don't have room. I loved that the book begins and ends with a poem, one from Musa Okwanga and one from Inua Ellams. We don't see enough poetry here in YA. It's diverse with story form too - you'll find kitchen sink contemporary, speculative dystopia, magic realism and historical fiction. It covers terrorism, racism, mental ill health, same sex love and, really, every topic under the sun that could be of interest to young people. It's brave and interesting and thoughtful and contemplative. And thought-provoking. I'm still pondering Nikesh Shukla's choice of neutral pronouns for a character who suddenly starts sharing Britain First videos on social media!

Representation matters. It's vitally important that British writers of colour are given platforms in a very white (and also very posh) publishing industry. And it's even more important that British young people of colour are able to pick up books and see themselves reflected. Nobody wants to be cast as an outsider and everybody wants to be recognised and depicted. And so ''A Change Is Gonna Come'' is welcome, particularly when it showcases new voices, doesn't forget about the illustrator and brings on board an editorial mentee - see? I am paying attention!