Bethany C. Morrow facts for kids

Bethany C. Morrow is an American writer. She creates exciting stories in speculative fiction. This means her books often have elements of science fiction or fantasy. She writes for both grown-ups and young adults, like you! Some of her well-known books include Mem (2018), A Song Below Water (2020), and So Many Beginnings: A Little Women Remix (2021). She also helped put together a collection of stories called Take the Mic (2019).

Early Life and Learning

Bethany C. Morrow was born and grew up in California. She loved reading and writing from a young age. Some of her favorite authors when she was younger were Christopher Pike and Lois Duncan. She also really enjoyed the book Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry.

Morrow went to university to study sociology. Later, she attended Bangor University for graduate school. There, she studied clinical psychology. However, she decided to leave school to focus on a career in publishing books. Before returning to the United States, Morrow lived in Great Britain and Montreal.

Writing Career

Bethany C. Morrow started her writing career in 2018. Since then, she has written several popular books. She writes stories that make readers think and imagine new worlds.

Mem

Morrow's first novel, Mem, came out in 2018. It is a science fiction story set in Montreal in 1925. The book describes a different reality. In this world, people's memories can be taken out of them. These memories are then replayed constantly by special creatures called Mems.

Critics really liked the book. Publishers Weekly called it "ambitious and insightful." They said it made readers think about memory and what it means to be human. Kirkus Reviews praised Morrow's "dizzying concept" and "first-rate storytelling." They felt the book offered a fresh perspective for fans of speculative fiction. Many other publications also recommended Mem.

Take the Mic: Fictional Stories of Everyday Resistance

In 2019, Morrow published her first book for young adults. It was called Take the Mic: Fictional Stories of Everyday Resistance. This book is a collection of stories, also known as an anthology. Morrow was the editor, meaning she helped choose and put together the stories. The book aims to show young people from different backgrounds. It highlights their everyday acts of bravery and standing up for themselves.

A review in The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books mentioned the variety of stories. It said the collection showed "earnest depiction of bravery." It also noted that the book was a good addition to libraries for young readers.

A Song Below Water

Morrow released her first full YA novel in June 2020. It is titled A Song Below Water. The story is about an African-American high school student named Tavia. Tavia is also a siren, a magical creature. She tries to keep her true identity a secret. This is because she lives in Portland, where magical beings are not treated well.

Kirkus Reviews said the book's action picks up in the middle. They described it as an "exciting new contemporary fantasy." Another review praised how Morrow balanced social comments with relatable teen feelings. It also noted the strong sense of tension in the story.

So Many Beginnings: Little Women Remix

So Many Beginnings is a new version of the classic book Little Women. This retelling focuses on four Black sisters. Their story takes place during the American Civil War.

Booklist said that Morrow captured the spirit of the original book. They also said she created a clear picture of life during and after the Civil War. This was especially true for newly freed people. Fellow author Tracy Deonn also praised the book. She called it a "joyful celebration of sisterhood."

A Chorus Rises

In 2022, Morrow released a sequel to A Song Below Water. This book is called A Chorus Rises. It focuses on a different student named Naema. Naema is an eloko, another type of magical being. The story explores her challenges with her identity and becoming famous.

AudioFile gave the book a positive review. They said the narrator's voice was perfect for Naema. Alex Brown on Tor.com said the book makes you want to discuss it. He felt it was full of important truths and metaphors.

Cherish Farrah

Also in 2022, Morrow released Cherish Farrah. This book is for adult readers. It is a suspenseful story about friendship and control. Farrah is a seventeen-year-old African-American girl. She is very focused on being in control. Her best friend is Cherish, the only other African-American girl in their town. Cherish was adopted by wealthy white parents. When Farrah's family loses their home, she moves in with Cherish. But things at the rich household are not what they seem.

Archuleta Chisholm of Black Girl Nerds said the book makes readers think. Zan Romanoff of Los Angeles Times noted that the story is intense. It leaves the reader feeling like they have been through a lot.

Works

Books

• Mem. 2018. Unnamed Press. ISBN: 9781944700867
• Take The Mic: Fictional Stories of Everyday Resistance. Editor. 2019. Scholastic. ISBN: 9781338343724
• A Song Below Water. 2020. Tor. ISBN: 9781250315311
• So Many Beginnings: A Little Women Remix. 2021. Feiwel Friends. ISBN 9781250761217
• A Chorus Rises. 2021. TOR Teen. ISBN: 1250316030
• Cherish Farrah: A Novel. 2022. Bantam Doubleday Dell. ISBN: 0-593-18538-2

Essays

• "Why We Need Real Black Characters By Real Black Artists",The Establishment (October 25, 2016)
• "Why I Stan Planet of the Apes, and You Should Too", Tor.com (February 12, 2020)
• "The Revolution Will Be Dramatized", Tor.com (February 26, 2020)
• "Neverending Stories, Or: My 3 Favorite Books I’ve Never Actually Finished", Tor.com (May 27, 2020)

Awards and Recognition

• 2020 – Winner, International Literacy Association Social Justice Book Award (for Take the Mic)
• 2021 – Nominee, Ignyte Award for Best YA Novel (for A Song Below Water)
• 2021 – Nominee, Locus Award for Best Young Adult Book (for A Song Below Water)
• 2022 – USA Today's 100 Black novelists and fiction writers you should read