young adult
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Freeman Book Award 2022. Now in translation for the first time (Takami Nieda), the award-winning debut that broke literary ground in Japan explores diaspora, prejudice, and the complexities of a teen girl’s experience growing up as a Zainichi Korean, reminiscent of Min Jin Lee’s classic Pachinko and Sandra Cisneros’s The House on Mango Street.
Walter Dean Myers Honor. “In this searing historical fantasy, Hur skillfully alternates between Iseul’s first-person and Daehyun’s close third-person perspective to develop the duo’s growing attraction and presents the king’s abuse of power as well as numerous violent action sequences in a way that is gruesome but never gratuitous.” (Publishers Weekly)
“If you’re in search of the perfect YA romcom with immaculate vibes and true joy and heart, consider this your ‘drop everything else on your TBR and make this book your entire personality’ notice.” —Rachel Strolle, Buzzfeed books on Everyone Hates Kelsie Miller
Freeman Book Award Winner YA 2018; translated by Takami Nieda; often cited by scholars for its portrayal of the Zainichi Korean experience. “A memorable, conflicted, defiant protagonist and an idiosyncratic love story drive this thought-provoking page-turner.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)
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“It’s hard to imagine a world where Banned Book Club could be more relevant than it is right now. The graphic novel revolves around a group of young people who meet to read and discuss books banned by their government. It’s set in South Korea in the early 1980s, a time that most Americans are entirely ignorant of but may find upsettingly familiar.” —AV Club
“Last of the Talons is a stunning blend of dark romance and Korean mythology. Sophie Kim writes enemies to lovers with heart pounding intensity, blurring the line between love and hate. Bloodthirsty, addictive, and searingly romantic.” (Axie Oh, New York Times-bestselling author of The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea)
“Filled with a sweet new romance and starring a heroine to root for. Lee finds a spot alongside Jenny Han and Stacey Lee in representing the diversity of Asian American experiences. A joyful protagonist who speaks to Generation Z.” (School Library Journal, starred review)
“With echoes of Marieke Nijkamp and Jason Reynolds, acclaimed author Marie Myung-Ok Lee’s stunning YA homage to Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men tells the tragic story of a Korean American teen who fights to protect herself and her neurodivergent older brother from a hostile community.”
A Korean American teen tries to balance her dream to become a chef with the cultural expectations of her family when she enters the competitive world of a TV cooking show. A hilarious and heartfelt YA novel. “An engrossing tale full of appealing characters, foodie elements, and heart.” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)
“Rousing and truthful…Rich is real with readers in a way that’s refreshing…A smart tool to fight inequity.” (Booklist) … “An inspiring and practical handbook for meaningful resistance…Girls Resist! walks teens through the nitty-gritty of running a campaign, protesting a policy, or helping to get out the vote.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)
“The Space Between Here & Now is an intriguing mix of fantasy and realism that lures readers in with the promise of magic and keeps them engaged with emotionally resonant themes. If you’re looking for a fun, mature coming-of-age story rooted in nuanced emotions and relationships, this book is for you.” (BookPage, starred review)
“Using scores of interviews, direct quotes, news reports, and archival photographs to sculpt this thoroughly researched history, Yoo vividly and movingly conveys the broader historical context and the many lives that were affected, shedding light on systemic challenges that continue today. A nuanced and necessary narrative.” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)
“Whether it’s discovering shelter, finding food or simply managing in brutal conditions, the ever-challenging backdrop of City of Orange makes the determining of reality a mystery readers will want to solve alongside the main character. That’s this novel’s biggest feat: By giving just enough vivid detail but keeping key elements ambiguous, a reader can easily morph into the main character and become a part of this world.” (USA Today)
“A beautifully written epic replete with magic, shapeshifting characters, complex political intrigue and the obligatory battles between good and evil … Strong female characters and a helter-skelter plot make for a compelling read.” (The Guardian, Books of the Months Pick, praise for Book 1, The Girl King)
