I can't believe this is a debut novel. The novel is so well written and really evoked strong emotions while I was listening to the audiobook. My heart broke for Aki and Meg as they attempted to connect with each other while also acknowledging their different upbringing and the time in history they were raised. A very powerful novel

Oh how I love the word "diversity," and even more so her sister "Inclusion," and whenever I see these anywhere I am almost if not always tempted to read in between the lines.
I requested the audiobook version of this story, and I knew from the very beginning that I was in for a treat and this book looks into some of the 'isms' in private american education- and for Aki-Hiyashi Brown and her daughter Meg, they cannot escape this, not when they are the face of diversity and Wesley's desire to prove that they are an inclusive institution. You get Aki-Hiyashi struggling to overlook or act as though she is not aware of how different she is treated, and Meg-her daughter, who is unbothered by the effect of her observations on those who are privileged. It fits the angst and desire to shout on top of a mountain to be heard by teens. It's an interesting read and draws insights from real challenges.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC

This is the type of book that should be required reading for humanity.

Thank
You to NetGalley and the publisher for the Audio Arc of this title in exchange for my honest review.

I love boarding school/ private school stories and this one took it a step further. While it’s technically fiction the Authors note at the beginning tells you that it’s mostly all true and just that names and identifiable information has been changed to protect the guilty.

This is a perfect example of “Write what you know,” scaly when you have a good story and something meaningful to say. The Novel delves into the privilege of the American Private school set and the experience of an Asian American teacher who also has her daughter attends the Private Quaker school and delves into the white privilege, financial privilege, racism, sexism, classism… basically all the “isms” that people of color face ever day. However, it is accomplished with a ton of snark and self deprecation and you do not feel like you’re being preached at.

I think it’s a must for teens as well as parents to get a glimpse into people experience as this words attempts to correct wrongs. If this book wasn’t facts one would say that it falls to a lot of stereotypes that people put on others and tropes but instead it exposes where those things come from.

While you’re learning something, you also get a riveting answer engaging boarding house story. It’s a win win!

The only thing I didn’t care for as much was the narrator due to her extremely slow read of it. Unfortunately speeding it up to 1.25x (the lowest increase you can do on NetGalley) makes it difficult to listen to because of the speed but also because how she recites the book, it doesn’t work well at the increased speed.

So I do recommend the physical book/ ebook over the audiobook if you have the option.

I give this book a 4.5 stars rounded down to 4 because Goodreads hasn’t entered this century yet and Gail’s to have partial stars like other apps.

⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again