An essential, highly relatable collection of short fiction and poems around the topic of menstruation, written exclusively by authors who are Black, Indigenous, or people of color

For Angela, it came on the basketball court-while playing on the boys’ team. For Penny, it came on a school field trip to the lake (making for some cringeworthy moments of humor). And to Layla’s disappointment, it came at the start of her first fasting Ramadan, meaning that she won’t be able to fast after all. Whether it spurs silence or celebration, whether the subjects are well prepared or totally in the dark, the young people in these sixteen stories find that getting a period not only brings change to their bodies, it also brings joy, sorrow, self-discovery, and yes, sometimes even gifts.

Edited by Aida Salazar and Yamile Saied Mendez and featuring BIPOC contributors who are some of the most talented authors in middle-grade fiction today-including two-time 2021 Newbery Honoree Christina Soontornvat, Erin Entrada Kelly, Ibi Zoboi, and Saadia Faruqi-My New Gift offers coming-of-age stories and poetry ranging from funny to heartbreaking to powerful, all of them reassuring readers that they are not alone in their period journey.

With contributions by: Hilda Eunice Burgos Veeda Bybee Susan Muaddi Darraj Saadia Faruqi Nikki Grimes Leah Henderson Mason J. Erin Entrada Kelly Guadalupe Garcia McCall Elise McMullen-Ciotti Yamile Saied Mendez Emma Otheguy Aida Salazar Christina Soontornvat Padma Venkatraman Ibi Zoboi