A Path to the World: Becoming You

4.5

0.0 (0)

98 0

Write Review Add to favorites

Author(s)

Lori Marie Carlson-Hijuelos

Publisher

Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books

Genre(s)

Age Range

14+

Release Date

August 22, 2023

ISBN

978-1481419772

Buy This Book

A chorus of essays from a variety of voices, backgrounds, and experiences, exploring what it means to be human and true to yourself.

What does it mean to be yourself? To be born here or somewhere else? To be from one family instead of another? What does it mean to be human? Collected by Lori Carlson-Hijuelos, A Path to the World showcases essays by a vast variety of luminaries—from Gary Soto to Nawal Nasrallah to Ying Ying Yu, from chefs to artists to teens to philosophers to politicians (keep your eyes peeled for a surprise appearance by George Washington)—all of which speak to the common thread of humanity, the desire to be your truest self, and to belong.

Contributors include: Lori Marie Carlson-Hijuelos, Joseph Bruchac, Jacinto Jesús Cardona, William Sloane Coffin, Pat Conroy, Mario Cuomo, Timothy Egan, Alan Ehrenhalt, Shadi Feddin, Ralph Fletcher, Valerie Gribben, Alexandre Hollan, Molly Ivins, Geeta Kothari, Jeremy Lee, Yuyi Li, Emily Lisker, Kamaal Majeed, Madge McKeithen, Nawal Nasrallah, Scott Pitoniak, Anna Quindlen, Michael J. Sandel, Raquel Sentíes, David E. Skaggs, Gary Soto, Alexandra Stoddard, KellyNoel Waldorf, George Washington, and Ying Ying Yu.

Editor review

1 review

A Thought-provoking Essay Collection

August 28, 2024

Overall rating

4.5

Writing Style

5.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

N/A

Learning Value

4.0

In her collection of essays, A PATH TO THE WORLD, Lori Marie Carlson-Hijuelos brings together unique voices from all backgrounds and walks of life to form a gorgeous and raw collection of essays that examines the human condition.

With themes of belonging, passion, fear, and freedom, I deeply connected with these thought-provoking and honest essays. They cause you to ask yourself what it truly means to be human. From artists and politicians to teens and philosophers, each individual shares their experience, knowledge, and wisdom, creating a stunning and insightful chorus of pieces from skillful contributors.

"Homemade mayonnaise" details how to make delicious mayonnaise with a blender. "Being Content with Myself" tackles race and the unfair expectations that society places on black individuals. "Get a Life" is a short, meaningful essay about appreciating the little things in life and making a difference in the lives of others. While some essays are humorous, others are solemn and poignant.

I look forward to reading more of Lori Marie Carlson-Hijuelos' novels and edited anthologies in the future. I admire her for gathering these talents from all over the world and collaborating so beautifully on this project.

I can honestly say that A PATH TO THE WORLD changed how I look at ordinary, daily tasks and experiences that I would have otherwise deemed mundane. If you are interested in delving deeper into the human condition and what it means to be an individual, this is a book that I cannot recommend enough.