About This Book
A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is struggling to bridge the gap between their cultural heritage and a new, high pressure environment where they feel like an outsider. It is a vital choice for teens navigating the complexities of immigration, microaggressions, and the heavy weight of parental expectations. The story follows sixteen year old Emily, a Jamaican teen at an elite Toronto private school, as she balances her mother's desire for success against her own need for justice and identity. Dealing with themes of systemic inequity and the courage to speak up, this realistic novel is best suited for ages 13 and up. Parents will appreciate how it facilitates difficult but necessary conversations about race, belonging, and the evolution of the mother daughter bond during the transition to adulthood.
