 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Fold
- By An Na
- Genre: Coming of Age
Common Sense Media says
Insightful and frank novel on beauty in America.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this book deals with people learning to accept themselves and their perceived flaws. Because the focus is on a Korean family and race plays a factor in one character's journey, racial undertones are present including a humiliating display by a student. A college student reveals she's a lesbian.
What's the story?
Joyce has a cute crush that doesn't know she exists; a perfect, beautiful older sister; and a best friend who feels her pain. Her plan to get a makeover and win her crush's heart takes a new turn when her rich aunt offers her plastic surgery. Joyce has to decide whether or not to change what's so fundamentally her to become the someone she dreams about being. Will she go through with it?
Is it any good?
An Na has written a beautiful, poignant coming-of-age story that is as real as the teen girl next door. Na brings readers into a world that is seldom highlighted: the family life of Korean Americans. Her focus is on Joyce, a lovable, troubled heroine who is told by her own aunt that her eyes are a flaw that need to be fixed. Granted, her aunt is called "Michael" (Jackson) by the rest of her family because of all the plastic surgery she's had. But it still adds an extra level of angst to Joyce's self-image issues, and a difficult decision to make when her aunt offers to pay for the surgery.
What Na does especially well is highlight how everyone in Joyce's family, with her aunt's help, tries to make changes: family members try to look taller, more glamorous, find mates, etc. Na's focus on family and accepting the flaws of loved ones is reflected in Joyce's journey of self-acceptance and love. The positive family portrayal and body image message is sure to appeal to parents and young readers alike.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about diversity, Western standards of beauty, and the media's role in how people view body image. Who should decide what's beautiful? Do the same beauty standards apply everywhere in the world? Do magazines and celebs affect how you see yourself?
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AGE
I think this is a great book for kids, mostly girls if they are struggling on how to accept their physical appearance. This book, I think, shows a message that you should be happy with just the way you are and not changing yourself because of what people might think and what you think of yourself. In Joyce's case, the main character, she's not happy with her eyes.
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AGE
story that will make you wanna move on
i think it was a good novel,with many situations that teenagers may be ahving problems with..
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AGE
Perfect for teens!
I'm a 15-year-old girl and I enjoyed this book. It's age appropriate, and had a very good lesson. It's telling you that you don't need to change yourself to be "pretty enough", and that you're fine the way you are.
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| Author: | An Na |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Coming of Age |
| Publisher: | Putnam Juvenile |
| Publication date: | April 10, 2008 |
| Number of pages: | 192 |
| Hardcover price: | $16.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 9 - 12 |
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