Flying Lessons and Other Stories - Ellen Oh

Flying Lessons and Other Stories, edited by Ellen Oh, is a powerful and inspiring middle-grade anthology created in collaboration with the We Need Diverse Books movement.

Featuring celebrated authors such as Kwame Alexander, Kelly J. Baptist, Soman Chainani, Matt de la Peña, Grace Lin, Meg Medina, Walter Dean Myers, Tim Tingle and Jacqueline Woodson, this collection brings together stories that reflect the richness of different cultures, identities and experiences.

Each story centers on a young protagonist navigating family expectations, friendship, courage and self-discovery. From humorous classroom moments to heartfelt family struggles, the anthology captures the universal emotions of growing up while highlighting diverse voices often underrepresented in children’s literature.

This book encourages empathy, understanding and the celebration of individuality.

Main Themes of the Book

• Diversity and representation
• Identity and belonging
• Family and cultural heritage
• Friendship and courage
• Self-expression and resilience
• Growing up and finding your voice

Why You Should Read This Book by Ellen Oh

• Edited by Ellen Oh, co-founder of We Need Diverse Books
• Features award-winning and bestselling authors
• Promotes diversity in children’s literature
• Ideal for middle-grade readers and classrooms
• Short stories perfect for discussion and reflection
• Encourages empathy and cultural awareness

Flying Lessons and Other Stories is a meaningful and engaging anthology that celebrates the power of diverse voices. With heartfelt, relatable stories from some of today’s most respected children’s authors, it offers young readers both representation and inspiration—reminding them that every story deserves to be told.