About This Book
A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is struggling to reconcile the heavy expectations of an immigrant household with their own desire for social belonging and self-expression. It is a nuanced story about Van Uoc, a scholarship student at a prestigious school, who navigates a surprise romance with a popular athlete while managing her mother's trauma-induced anxiety. The story beautifully balances the sweetness of first love with the weight of cultural identity and the internal battle of feeling like an outsider in one's own life. Appropriate for ages 14 and up, the book addresses complex themes like PTSD, class disparity, and the ethics of 'wishing' for someone to love you. It offers a sophisticated look at how teens can find their voice without betraying their roots. Parents will appreciate the way it humanizes the immigrant experience while keeping the relatable emotional stakes of high school life at the forefront.
