This book reads like an academic thriller. Timely and topical, it has the reader guessing right along with the main character, untangling a complicated web of institutional racism, systemic privilege, and teenage angst. The narrator was excellent at keeping the story humming along with natural dialogue and equal parts of a sense of urgency and compassion.

A great story, and so well done in explicating the nuances of some difficult issues.

Review copy provided by publisher.

This had everything I'm in love with at the moment, but somehow fell off the mark for me. I mean, I myself am experiencing a lot of what's covered here, notably systemic failures in real action on matters of diversity, equity, and inclusion that boil down to shallow and performative (not in the Judith Butler sense, sadly) acts and inaction. Maybe it was the "how" of it. The pace was slow and the plot meandering. The writing was just okay, and the narration was fine, but bordering on trite.

It's a Privilege Just to Be Here is a nuanced novel set at an elite prep school in Washington, D.C. Aki Hiyashi-Brown teaches at Wesley Friends School and she knows how fortunate she is to teach there and be able to send her teenage daughter Meg to school there as well.

Aki became pregnant as a graduate student, which threw off her plans for a PhD and landed her at Wesley because of its subsidized childcare. Now years later, she has become accustomed to being one of the trophy teachers of color and the subtle racism of the institution. But when someone graffities "Make Wesley White Again.," Aki has to face all that means and what the actions of her school mean for people of color and herself.

Compared to Celeste Ng and Kiley Reid, this is a stunning debut that proves Emma Sasaki can write with a powerful style that is also all her own. I was hooked from the first page to the last, loving this complex and astute take down of private school culture and generational differences in tackling systemic injustices.

I cannot recommend this highly enough!

it’s kind of like the gossip girl reboot show with commentary on racism. It was an interesting story and I would read more by the author. The audiobook was also well done and a great way to consume this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! This was such a powerful novel! I am in awe of Emma Sasaki’s writing and book as a whole. This book is thought provoking and makes me question myself and everyone and their biases and prejudices. This book is something that everyone should read because it makes a person think about how they view others and makes a person think on their biases whether conscious or unconscious. The racism portrayed in this book is all too real and we need to look at ourselves and work to stop it while I like how this book has characters exploring their feelings on racism they have encountered.

I have been loving the recent spate of books that examine the insidious racist ideals of the rich white liberal section of America. This is no different. The commentary about BIPOC's proximity to whiteness and privilege and the tendency to overlook racism and classism is really important as it emboldens rich white people to claim they're not racist while completely avoiding the work of antiracism by hefting it onto the BIPOC women in their circles.

Just finished the audiobook "It's a Privilege Just to Be Here" by Emma Sasaki, narrated by Cindy Kay. Race tensions erupt at a prestigious DC-area private school when someone spray paints a racist graffiti message on the school grounds.

Aki Hiyashi-Brown, a teacher at the school, is placed front and center as the school's new spokesperson for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. She must navigate the dangerous waters of controlling school administrators, plotting parents, impassioned students, and social media.

This book is in parts infuriating, hilarious, and as difficult to put down as it is impossible to relax while listening to. Cindy Kay's narration is top notch. Thanks to Net Galley for the chance to listen to and review the audiobook.

It's a Privilege Just to Be Here is a debut by Emma Sasaki—set in Washington D.C.,that deals with the racism that is alive and well within the wealthy, elite world of private schools and what one has to give up in order to fit in in many social groups. It was a slow read for me and I listend to the audio book with narrator Cindy Kay. She did a great job givng voice to Aki and all the other characters.

I really appreciated Sasaki's ability to use our main character, Aki, and her daughter as way to really dig deep into the differences between the generations' handling of racism — both overt and more subtle. I also appreciated the way in which key plot points were reveled; hinted at and and foreshadowed, every piece carefully coming together. While I, myself, was frustrated with the some of the decisions and choices Aki made, it was written in a way where the reader was still able to understand /why/ those decisions were made, even if we disagree or think we'd handle something differently. I think the slow pace of the story at the beginning really gives the reader time to digest some of what is happening and the reflection to see what Aki is dealing with and has dealt with her whole life.

I do think the pacing was a bit off — there were certain parts where I was speeding through the book, but other parts where I really was pushing myself to keep going. I also found the ending rushed; there was a lot to wrap up, and I just feel like there could have been a bit of expansion. However, I think this could be a great book club book and would definitely recommend for an adult or more mature audience. I think the pace would lose young readers who might not hang in. I think discussion could be perfect for this book in an adult book group.

Overall, I think the book was good and would definitely read another book by Sasaki.
Thank you to NetGalley and DreamScape for the audio arc copy to preview.

It’s A Privilege Just to be Here has a blurb that says it’s for fans of Little Fires Everywhere and Such A Fun Age, and I am here to say I fully support this endorsement! This book is a perfect companion to both of those novels, while also bringing its own singular voice to the table.

The story follows a veteran teacher Aki Hiyashi-Brown who works at a very prestigious private school in Washington DC; she initially took the job so she’d be able to send her own daughter, Meg, to the school, something that would have been impossible without the faculty discount/financial aid. However, in Meg’s junior year a racist message is graffitied onto one of the school buildings, and it brings a lot of the school’s more insidious beliefs and practices to light. Aki finds herself, a Japanese-American woman, caught between wanting her initial desire to simply be grateful to be present at such a prestigious institutions, and her daughter’s adamant demands to take a stand.

I absolutely devoured this book, and am blown away that it’s a debut novel. It is clever, hard hitting, and quietly provocative. Aki’s struggle is so well written; the relationship between her and Meg feels real and frustrating. You are supposed to feel mad at points in this book; I loved Emma Sasaki’s ability to draw out a moment so readers could truly feel it.

The audiobook was superb! The narrator did a fantastic job and I’d definitely listen to more books narrated by her.

Overall, this is one of my favorite books I’ve read this year and I can’t wait to see what else Sasaki creates!

If you enjoyed The Other Black Girl and Ace of Spades, I think you should give It's a Privilege Just to Be Here by Emma Sasaki a try. I listened to it on audio and really enjoyed it. The narrator, Cindy Kay, made this a pleasant listening experience.

Aki Hiyashi-Brown is a teacher at the prestigious Wesley Friends School, a prep school in Washington, DC. Her teen daughter, Meg, is a junior at the school. Aki knows what a privilege it is for them both to call Wesley "home". At first glance, Wesley seems progressive and inclusive, but when a racist phrase is spray-painted on campus, people start taking a closer look at the school, including Aki. Aki suddenly finds herself thrust into the spotlight when she is appointed to be the head of the school's Racial Equity Task Force. Of course, the school would choose one of the only minority teachers for this role. Can she help calm the anger and fear of students, parents, and the surrounding D.C. community? Should she? Or is this an opportunity to finally expose the racism that still exists in America, even in places like Wesley which seem so welcoming and utopian from the outside?

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for a review copy of this audiobook.

As a fan of RF Kuang's Yellowface, I truly enjoyed this book. It most definitely does not have the comedic wit of Yellowface, but it speaks touches upon racism and inequality can occur in academia.

It's a Privilege Just to Be Here by Emma Sasaki is a third person POV of the FMC, Aki. Aki is a teacher at a prep school in Washington DC, where her daughter attends. Things at this prep school get derailed when someone creates racist graffiti on school grounds. Aki finds herself playing detective and finds herself thrown into things, as she believes that her daughter is very involved with this. The school tries to recover by creating a DEI task force but continues to have a difficult time when a social media account does their best to call them out for not taking real action. This book is basically a whodunnit minus the murder, and throw in the social climate of racial equality.

I truly, truly enjoyed this audio book, and recommend to all. Thank you Netgalley, Dreamscape, and Alcove Publishers for allowing me to read/listen to this great work by Emma Sasaki for a review.

I will put this review on Instagram, Goodreads, and Storygraph.

4.5 ⭐
this is a debut novel?! it's a privilege just to be here is so well-written, from the characters to the description. my main issue would be with the audiobook narration as i felt a bit disconnected just listening.

It’s a Privilege Just to Be Here

My investment in this story came and went, but by the end I was really thankful to have finished. While It’s a Privilege Just to Be Here is largely a work of fiction, it is clearly stated in the Author’s note that it inspired by real events. Unfortunately, this is all too believable. Racism is just as prominent in places of prestige and privilege as anywhere else. This novel illustrates that well in the elite private school setting.

This is an intentionally frustrating read on several fronts. Both the events described and the characters portrayed raised my pulse and made me want to scream.

Thank you Emma Sasaki, Dreamscape Media, Alcove Press, and NetGalley for my digital and audio advanced review copies!

It’s Crazy Rich Asians but in a US exclusive private school: nice sounding words are used but power is held by those with the most money who can do whatever they want.

We follow the story from Aki’s eyes. She’s a history teacher at the school and has been taught by her parents to ignore/accept the racism she’s experienced for being Japanese. One day, racist graffiti appears on the school wall. Aki’s outspoken (and often rude & stroppy) daughter calls out the racism and the school’s lack of a response. As the school drags its heels and hopes that appointing some consultants/focus groups will protect its reputation (stuff finding out who did this), the tension escalates in the school. Aki hopes that everything can be smoothed over. Her daughter wants things fixed. Eventually Aki realises that always being a doormat won’t change anything and begins, piece by piece to find the courage to speak and change her approach to dealing with the racism she faces.

I listened to the audiobook which was well narrated by Cindy Kay. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I really enjoyed this story a lot.
It reads a bit like you are in on some really juicy gossip. With of course bearing and honoring the fact that something really serious and racially charged happened in this prestigous high school.

This book I feel like its perfect and timely. It brought up so many thoughts and topics about Race, Ethnicity, Equity, Equality, Representation, Advocacy, Safe spaces and so much more.
I also enjoyed the clash between younger generations approach to the topics, and the older generations.
It's def something that should be fed off of each other and I love books that explore that.

narration was so good I enjoyed it!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review. This is narrated by Cindy Kay who does a great job making this an enjoyable read!

Aki is the daughter of Asian immigrants and has chosen to work at an elite prep school in order to ensure that her daughter, Meg, can attend the 'privileged' school and receive all the benefits such an education can offer. However, like most best laid plans, things do not go according to plan. When racist graffiti appears at the school, there is the expected rush of activity to mask the ugliness of what has happened. While Aki knows what is expected of her as part of the "model minority" in the school, she struggles as head of the spineless anti-racism task force amidst the awareness that hers is one of the very few POC faces among the teaching staff. But Meg and her classmates are not inclined to turn the other cheek. So, inevitably, sparks fly.

I found the first part of this story a bit hard to get through but the pacing definitely picked up. I loved having a front row seat to the takedown of the hypocrisy of the prep school system. All in all, this is a debut novel is worth the read!

I love the narration in this one. There were so many amazing lines that stood out to me. I love the way the author explores race. I also loved the ending!
This was absolutely wonderful!

4.5/5 ⭐️
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an audiobook ARC of this book!
The listening experience of this book was unparalleled! This novel felt like what the “Gossip Girl” Reboot should have done!
“It’s a Privilege Just to be Here” follows Aki, a teacher at Wesley Prep school as she navigates the tumultuous school environment after a racist comment is graffitied on school property. The school tasks Aki with being the head of a Racial Equality task force, and learns to confront her own past, and the future of her daughter who attends the school.
One thing that I loved about this novel was the exploration of parent-child dynamics. Since this book surrounds the private school setting, the reader gets to evaluate different parent/child relationships and the circumstances which affect them.
Every character in this book is allotted so much care to create a fully realistic and three dimensional figure. I loved how this book confronted generational approaches to race relations in academia. In addition to formulating a gripping plot, this novel presented necessary commentary in how academic institutions handle cases of racism. I would highly suggest picking up this book!

This is one of those books that hits a lot harder than you think. The struggle in power and generational trauma and racism is at times very overt, but through the eyes of Aki, can come across as an undercurrent. She is someone who has always been taught to ignore and ignore, not confronting the prejudice she grew up facing. But things have changed (though not everything), and her daughter is outspoken and stands up for what she believes in. And this has an impact on Aki. Over the course of thr book, she has to reconcile her life growing up, the safety and future of her daughter, her beliefs instilled by her parents, and the right thing to do.

At times it felt like not much was happening, but then again, I think that's the point. It's the small moments that break through the facade. Though I do feel as if the ending is quite abrupt, without much closure. But this is more a personal thing for me.

The audiobook quality was fantastic, and Cindy Kay does a fantastic job bringing Aki to life and handling the nuances of this story.