My First Lesson is a rather small, thin book. I devoured it in one gulp and wanted more.
Edited by Alice Pung, it is an anthology of short stories by high school students around the country, reflecting on the various life lessons learned in high school. Pung is a writer, editor, teacher and lawyer who lives in Melbourne. She is the author of Unpolished Gem, Her Father’s Daughter and most recently Laurinda. She is also the editor of the anthology Growing Up Asian in Australia.
The anthology consists of twenty five stories inspired by Pung’s YA novel Laurinda. There is a fascinating range of genres. The writers work with various aspects of fairytale, symbolism, realism, confessional memoir, comedy, epistolary stories, science fiction and much more blended into their stories.
The short stories are sometimes surprising, sometimes humorous, and at times offbeat. It is a vibrant collection of impressive new voices. As Pung says of the collection, ‘The stories in this anthology are special because they capture the school experience with rare authenticity. These are not adults writing about teenagers, but real young adult writers.’
The stories are not all literary and polished. As she explains in her forward, Pung chose some stories that are raw, inclusive of marginalised writers, direct and genuine. They leap off the page and make for a gripping, vibrant read.
​​The collection explores themes ​of cultural identity, heartbreak, bullying and friendship across generations. Several writers describe awkward, difficult first days at new schools and the effort of trying to fit in, others ​write about parental neglect, ​racism, domestic violence and the jolt and trauma of migration.
There’s an eagerness in this collection to tackle big issues and ideas, a readiness to fight inequality and injustice, an ability to philosophise and also a piercing exploration of school life. Several of the writers speak of being aware that they are young, but already feeling ‘old’ and cynical.
Young readers will recognise themselves in the anthology, while older readers will gain a greater understanding of what it’s like to be a modern adolescent at this point of time in the world. A rare chance for young people to tell their own stories in their own way.
Proceeds from this book are donated to Room to Read.​
4.5 stars out of 5
Publisher Black Inc
Imprint Black Inc.
Publication Date 25 August 2016
Publication Country Australia
