The New Order shows a singular writer at the top of her form dealing with contemporary themes and ideas, shining a spotlight on the dark corners of our nature, our instincts, and our country. The critically acclaimed author of Refund returns with a new collection of stories that boldly examines the sense of instability that has grown stronger in American culture over the last two years through the increasing presence of violence, bigotry, sexual harassment, and the emotional costs of living under constant threat. In the title story, the competition between two middle school cellists is affected by a shooting at their school and it is only years later when they realize how the intrusion of violence affected the course of their lives. In "This is Who You Are," a young girl walks the line between Hebrew School and her regular school, realizing that both are filled with unexpected moments of insight and violence.