Gripping and thoughtful, but the clunky ending disappoints.
A Korean American teen’s stifled life changes when she makes an unexpected friend.
When sophomore Caroline Kim agrees to peer tutor another student, she doesn’t expect it to be the outgoing, charismatic, and beautiful Korean and Filipina American senior Kimberly Park-Ocampo. The friendship that grows between them mirrors their slow-burn attraction, depicted through teasing dialogue, blushes, and emotive moments. As Caroline and Kim grow closer, the depictions of Caroline’s ongoing struggles with low self-esteem, anxiety, and self-consciousness about her body are masterfully woven into their romance. Similarly, Caroline’s complicated family dynamics with her mother, overseas father, and older sister are realistically shown, particularly her mother’s controlling and emotionally distant parenting style. By contrast, Kim works as a team with her mother to run the household, watch her younger siblings, and work side jobs while still being available for her friends. The stark contrast between the two teens, their families, goals, and experiences as Asian Americans creates intriguing thematic parallels. As Caroline discovers positive aspects of herself through her relationship with Kim, the firebird as a symbol of transformation is somewhat successfully depicted through red feather motifs that stand out from the largely black-and-white art. However, the story’s impact is diluted by haphazard flashback scenes. Despite an otherwise engrossing emotional journey, the finale peters out.
Gripping and thoughtful, but the clunky ending disappoints. (Graphic fiction. 13-16)Pub Date: July 25, 2023
ISBN: 9780062981516
Page Count: 320
Publisher: HarperAlley
Review Posted Online: May 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
Despite some missteps, this will appeal to readers who enjoy a fresh and realistic teen voice.
A teenage, not-so-lonely loner endures the wilds of high school in Austin, Texas.
Norris Kaplan, the protagonist of Philippe’s debut novel, is a hypersweaty, uber-snarky black, Haitian, French-Canadian pushing to survive life in his new school. His professor mom’s new tenure-track job transplants Norris mid–school year, and his biting wit and sarcasm are exposed through his cataloging of his new world in a field guide–style burn book. He’s greeted in his new life by an assortment of acquaintances, Liam, who is white and struggling with depression; Maddie, a self-sacrificing white cheerleader with a heart of gold; and Aarti, his Indian-American love interest who offers connection. Norris’ ego, fueled by his insecurities, often gets in the way of meaningful character development. The scenes showcasing his emotional growth are too brief and, despite foreshadowing, the climax falls flat because he still gets incredible personal access to people he’s hurt. A scene where Norris is confronted by his mother for getting drunk and belligerent with a white cop is diluted by his refusal or inability to grasp the severity of the situation and the resultant minor consequences. The humor is spot-on, as is the representation of the black diaspora; the opportunity for broader conversations about other topics is there, however, the uneven buildup of detailed, meaningful exchanges and the glibness of Norris’ voice detract.
Despite some missteps, this will appeal to readers who enjoy a fresh and realistic teen voice. (Fiction. 13-16)Pub Date: Jan. 8, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-06-282411-0
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Oct. 14, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
Despite the well-meaning warmth, a wearying plod.
Can a 17-year-old with her first girlfriend prevent real-life folks from discovering her online fandoms?
Cass is proudly queer, happily fat, and extremely secretive about being a fan who role-plays on Discord. Back in middle school, she had what she calls a gaming addiction, playing “The Sims” so much her parents had to take the game away. Now, turning to her role-play friends to cope with her fighting parents, she worries that people will judge her for her fannishness and online life. To be fair, her grades are suffering. And sure, maybe she’s missed a college application deadline. Also, her mom has suddenly left Minneapolis and moved to Maine to be with a man she met online. But on the other hand, Cass is finally dating her amazingly cute longtime crush, Taylor. Pansexual Taylor is a gamer, a little bit punk, White like Cass, and so, so great—but she still can’t help comparing her to Rowan, Cass’ online best friend and role-playing ship partner. But Rowan doesn’t want to be a dirty little secret and doesn’t see why Cass can’t be honest about this part of her life. The inevitable train wreck of her lies looms on the horizon for months in an overlong morality play building to the climax that includes tidy resolutions to all the character arcs that are quite heartwarming but, in the case of Cass’ estranged mother, narratively unearned.
Despite the well-meaning warmth, a wearying plod. (Fiction. 13-16)Pub Date: Feb. 7, 2023
ISBN: 978-0-06-324332-3
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Quill Tree Books/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Nov. 15, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
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