imanewreader's review
4.0
tw/cw - racism, racial issues, parental pressure, bullying
okay. that was important.
it honestly feels like a diary. discussing third culture kids' issues, pressure and fights.
last chapter made me cry.
okay. that was important.
it honestly feels like a diary. discussing third culture kids' issues, pressure and fights.
last chapter made me cry.
kanha's review
4.0
I got a free copy from Netgalley for an honest review all opinions are my own.
This book stands the test of times.
I'm not american.
Though I am the child of asian refugees, I live in a much more tolerant country where the racism is more underlying, we usually call it "hyggeracisme" it's a form of racism where the person think that they are being funny or unproblematic.
Which did fit perfectly into the teacher and his casual racism towards Ellen.
It was actually really painful to read about those racist remarks towards Ellen, I think it hits me harder since I'm not used to reading about racism against asians.
Ellens teenage struggles also really fit. And the struggles of having strict parents, and trying so hard to make them proud, and always feeling scared of not being good enough, really hits close to home.
The book isn't that long, so in a way it's an easy read, but the topics felt very heavy and personal to me.
I think that this book is definitely worth a read.
This book stands the test of times.
I'm not american.
Though I am the child of asian refugees, I live in a much more tolerant country where the racism is more underlying, we usually call it "hyggeracisme" it's a form of racism where the person think that they are being funny or unproblematic.
Which did fit perfectly into the teacher and his casual racism towards Ellen.
It was actually really painful to read about those racist remarks towards Ellen, I think it hits me harder since I'm not used to reading about racism against asians.
Ellens teenage struggles also really fit. And the struggles of having strict parents, and trying so hard to make them proud, and always feeling scared of not being good enough, really hits close to home.
The book isn't that long, so in a way it's an easy read, but the topics felt very heavy and personal to me.
I think that this book is definitely worth a read.
mindlessmartyrr's review
4.0
I thought I knew 90s YA well. This book was a pleasant surprise to discover. I was taken in by the cover and the story is just as great. Even though it’s a short novel, it’s interesting and well done.
Ellen is living with her parents who want her to attend Harvard like her sister. She is trying to enjoy her last year of high school, getting good grades and doing gymnastics. She’s also struggling with her racist classmates and the remarks they make towards her, ignorantly assuming she’s Chinese and never taking the time to learn she’s Korean. She even endures racist comments from a teacher and dismissive comments from another teacher regarding racist comments from classmates. She’s dealing with pressure from her parents, trying to decide where she wants to go to college, and just being a teen. This was a great glimpse into life for an Asian American teen in the 90s, a new perspective I was excited to read about.
This book is very interesting and I couldn’t stop listening. The narrator is well chosen, giving the best emotion and thoughtfulness to Ellen. I found her voice realistic and similar to how I felt as a teen in some ways, even though I’m not Asian American and cannot speak on this aspect. The audio made me get lost in the story, enjoying each moment and experiencing the same emotions because it was gripping.
I’m grateful to be able to have read this book, learning about a new perspective and enjoying the 90s vibes. I hope many new readers will enjoy this novel as well.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Ellen is living with her parents who want her to attend Harvard like her sister. She is trying to enjoy her last year of high school, getting good grades and doing gymnastics. She’s also struggling with her racist classmates and the remarks they make towards her, ignorantly assuming she’s Chinese and never taking the time to learn she’s Korean. She even endures racist comments from a teacher and dismissive comments from another teacher regarding racist comments from classmates. She’s dealing with pressure from her parents, trying to decide where she wants to go to college, and just being a teen. This was a great glimpse into life for an Asian American teen in the 90s, a new perspective I was excited to read about.
This book is very interesting and I couldn’t stop listening. The narrator is well chosen, giving the best emotion and thoughtfulness to Ellen. I found her voice realistic and similar to how I felt as a teen in some ways, even though I’m not Asian American and cannot speak on this aspect. The audio made me get lost in the story, enjoying each moment and experiencing the same emotions because it was gripping.
I’m grateful to be able to have read this book, learning about a new perspective and enjoying the 90s vibes. I hope many new readers will enjoy this novel as well.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
mrst's review
3.0
I love what this book stands for and promotes, but I don't know if I would say it stands the test of time. As a YA librarian, I don't see a good chunk of this story translating to current readers due to the dated elements and relationships. I don't necessarily think she should have released a current version of this novel per say, but I don't know if this book truly stands over time.
jlo09's review
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The book was good and it was a sweet romance, although I could not get attached to any of the characters and really didn’t feel too strong for the book. It’s nice for beginners, but if I’m being honest, I wouldn’t even call it young adult. It’s more for like 10-12 years olds in my opinion. Didn’t really like the nerd and jock troupe and the Asian-American girl with the white boy.
bookswithmichellee's review
3.0
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free digital copy of this book for exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
Going into this novel, I was unsure if it was going to be a memoir or a fictional novel, as I went on, it definitely showed itself as a little bit of both. This novel covered some really important topics such as racism, immigration, and finding one's voice to stand up for themselves. I did not realize this book was released for the first time in the 1990s, they way it handled the topics and how it read, made it seem like it was published recently.
The overall plot for me was ok, nothing super special - a girl in her senior year trying to figure out what school to go to and figuring out her friends, love life, and family. It was great to see the big topics intertwined but I wish there was more to them. I wasn't the biggest fan of the writing in spots, but in others it was great.
Going into this novel, I was unsure if it was going to be a memoir or a fictional novel, as I went on, it definitely showed itself as a little bit of both. This novel covered some really important topics such as racism, immigration, and finding one's voice to stand up for themselves. I did not realize this book was released for the first time in the 1990s, they way it handled the topics and how it read, made it seem like it was published recently.
The overall plot for me was ok, nothing super special - a girl in her senior year trying to figure out what school to go to and figuring out her friends, love life, and family. It was great to see the big topics intertwined but I wish there was more to them. I wasn't the biggest fan of the writing in spots, but in others it was great.
minni92's review
3.0
Nice and short, growing up story.
Nothing new really, I've read a few very similar books, with asian-american girl with strict parents and finding their strength.
Nothing new really, I've read a few very similar books, with asian-american girl with strict parents and finding their strength.