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.
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)
“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)
“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)
“Just like Chloe’s favorite K‑dramas, the novel sucks readers in from the get-go with lots of glitz, grit, and a hint of romance as well as a handsome assistant who always has an umbrella at the ready, mouthwatering descriptions of food, and cutting insights into familial and societal dynamics. An enjoyable, pacy family drama. ” (Kirkus Reviews)
“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)