In this noteworthy, immensely enjoyable novel, Kelly Yang (Front Desk) tackles some of the systemic inequalities that foster racism, misogyny and sexual assault. She convincingly brings to light the ways in which victims are often judged more harshly than their aggressors, but also provides a template for change.
As an 11th-grader in Shanghai, Claire insists she will support herself rather than rely on a husband. To ensure she gets into a good college, though, Claire's Chinese tutor provides answers to homework assignments and essay tests. When Claire goes rogue and writes her own paper, she scores such low grades that her concerned parents send her to finish high school in the U.S. Just like that, she's a "parachute," a kid from China who goes to the U.S. without her parents.
Dani is a scholarship student at American Prep, the school Claire now attends. Dani's a powerhouse on the debate team and her entire college admissions strategy hinges on qualifying for an upcoming debate. Dani works hard outside of school, too: like her single mom, Dani's employed as a maid; the pair still barely make ends meet. Out of desperation, Dani's mom decides to rent out their spare bedroom to Claire, "a nice girl from China." Regrettably, the two girls immediately clash.
Yang dives with aplomb into issues of opulence and poverty, power and impotence. While it is also a story of friendship amid culture clash, Yang clearly portrays how girls and women everywhere deserve more. Main characters Claire and Dani are strong and compelling enough to take on the powers that be, and the supporting cast is fully realized. Yang's characters recognize they will need to shift the culture to respect women as the strong, intelligent, independent beings they are. --Lynn Becker, blogger and host of Book Talk, a monthly online discussion of children's books for SCBWI