An alien observer critiques humanity's customs, particularly its marginalization of non-white and female writers, in a collection that blends science fiction and fantasy with Afro-Caribbean perspectives. The collection explores themes of race and racism through offbeat and original works, with one story featuring an alien's evaluation of Earth's societal norms. Another narrative follows an American Indian artist who encounters a precocious child from the future tasked with retrieving art from the past, including the artist's own creations. The book concludes with an interview where author Nalo Hopkinson discusses her influences and shares personal insights.

This collection is noted for its infusion of feminist and Afro-Caribbean viewpoints into science fiction and fantasy. The stories are characterized as offbeat and original, directly addressing issues of race and racism in literature. The titular story, "Report from Planet Midnight," specifically highlights an alien's critical assessment of Earth's customs, including the exclusion of non-white and female authors. The inclusion of an interview with Nalo Hopkinson at the end provides further insight into her creative process and Caribbean influences.