Allies: Real Talk About Showing Up, Screwing Up, & Trying Again

Ages 12 And Up, Grades 7 And Up

This book is for everyone. Because we can all be allies.

     As an ally you use your power—no matter how big or small—to support others. You learn, and try, and mess up, and try harder. In this collection of true stories, 17 critically acclaimed and bestselling YA authors get real about being an ally, needing an ally, and showing up for friends and strangers. 

From raw stories of racism and invisible disability to powerful moments of passing the mic, these authors share their truths. They invite you to think about your own experiences and choices and how to be a better ally.

There are no easy answers, but this book helps you ask better questions. Self-reflection prompts, resources, journaling ideas, and further reading suggestions help you find out what you can do. Because we’re all in this together. And we all need allies. 

A donation of 5% net sales in the US will be donated to We Need Diverse Books

About the Author

Author Bio: Shakirah Bourne is a Barbadian author and filmmaker whose work has won numerous awards. She’s known for her use of dialect and how she explores local culture, often exposing hypocrisy, and revealing hidden aspects of a so-called Caribbean paradise. Recently, she has been writing for young people who like mythological and fantastical tales, beginning with her debut children's novel, Josephine Against the Sea. Find her online @shakirahwrites or www.shakirahbourne.com.  Dana Alison Levy is the author of many acclaimed books for young readers, including It Wasn’t Me and the Family Fletcher novels. Her first novel for teens, Above All Else, was published in 2020. When not writing, Dana enjoys traveling, eating, taking photos of her cats, and smashing toxic white supremacist patriarchal norms. She makes a lot of mistakes and tries to learn from them. Find her at www.danaalisonlevy.com or wasting time on Twitter or Instagram @danaalisonlevy.