Coles, Robert & Testa, Randy, with Michael Coles, eds. Growing up poor; a literary anthology.

Norton, The New Press. 279p. c2001. 1-56584-744-X. $16.95. SA *

For anyone interested in reading about real America, this book offers glimpses of what life is like at the low end of the economic spectrum. Though most of the excerpts are fictional, they are fiction based strongly in the reality of life for America's poorest citizens, and they ring as true as the biographical writings. From young to old, these voices illuminate the shadowy lives of our most marginal citizens, and show to readers pictures that are disturbing to anyone with a heart.

Through prose and poetry, we see through the eyes of poor Hispanic children living in rough places and rural Appalachian children whose lives are just as tough, and hear black voices who show us not only poverty but ignorance, prejudice, and injustice. We hear from adults who have triumphed over many obstacles to become successful adults; we also hear from and about those who have been overcome by the obstacles, and defeated by the injustices that society heaps on the poor. We are saddened by the young voices who express much despair and little hope and by the older voices who look back on troubled lives filled with unsuccessful attempts to overcome the stigma of being poor. We read about the unheard pleas of foster children, losing out to a system that doesn't work for them and is sometimes fatal to their humanity. There are Native American voices, white, black and Hispanic voices, and gay voices. There are male and female voices, old and young voices. It is historical and it is current.

This collection will more the heart of anyone who reads it, for it shows just how much our society is failing a great number of our citizens. It is especially heartwrenching to see what our children must endure. For students (and adults) who want to make a difference in the world and don't know where the problems are that need attention, this is an eye-opening book. For any readers who care about our society and our world, this is a must-read. Even though parts are fictional, this book should be part of every sociology class, social issues class, American history class, or current events class. This book provides an excellent portrait of a part of America that is often ignored. Nancy Chrismer, Libn., Juniata H.S., Mifflintown, PA