Throwback
-
-
4.7 • 3 Ratings
-
-
- $9.99
-
- $9.99
Publisher Description
A Gen Z Korean American girl gets stuck in the '90s with her teenaged mother in this fresh, funny adventure full of heart, humor, and time-crossed romance. Perfect for fans of Mary H.K. Choi, Morgan Matson, and Nicola Yoon.
“No one can blend family, humor, satire, and love into a single perfect story like Maurene Goo can.” —Marie Lu, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Skyhunter
“Funny and big-hearted, romantic, and delightfully unexpected in the best way.” —Nicola Yoon, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Instructions for Dancing
Being a first-generation Asian American immigrant is hard. You know what’s harder? Being the daughter of one.
Priscilla is first-generation Korean American, a former high school cheerleader who expects Sam to want the same all-American nightmare. Meanwhile, Sam is a girl of the times who has no energy for clichéd high school aspirations. After a huge blowup, Sam is desperate to get away from Priscilla, but instead, finds herself thrown back. Way back.
To her shock, Sam lands in the ’90s . . . alongside a 17-year-old Priscilla.
Now, Sam has to deal with outdated tech, regressive ’90s attitudes, and her growing feelings for sweet, mysterious football player Jamie, who just might be the right guy in the wrong era.
With the clock ticking, Sam must figure out how to fix things with Priscilla or risk being trapped in an analog world forever. Sam’s blast to the past has her questioning everything she thought she knew about her mom . . . and herself. One thing’s for sure: Time is a mother.
Brimming with heart and humor, Maurene Goo’s Throwback asks big questions about what exactly one inherits and loses in the immigrant experience.
"I knew that Throwback would make me laugh out loud. But I was pleasantly surprised to find myself weeping by the book’s close, so moved by Goo’s story.” —San Francisco Chronicle
“Filled with the vibes of the 1990s . . . a complete joy.” —Buzzfeed
“A deft, delightful, and emotionally complex examination of intergenerational relationships.” —Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
“Sharp-witted humor and multidimensional characters.” —Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
“Sit back and enjoy the ride . . . a delightfully adventurous story.” —School Library Connection, Recommended Review
“Perfect for those looking for a lighthearted read.” —Horn Book
“An arrestingly charming story with plenty of heart.” —Booklist
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Sixteen-year-old Korean American Samantha Kang must figure out how to return to her own time after a ride-share app inexplicably transports the Gen Z teen to 1995 in this reflective Back to the Future–flavored jaunt by Goo (Somewhere Only We Know). Student politics in Sam's racially diverse Los Angeles high school are a far cry from what they were when her mother, Priscilla, attended it. Though Priscilla is now a successful lawyer, she spent much of her high school career working long hours at the family dry cleaner while trying to fit in with her popular white classmates. Sam and Priscilla's differing values cause tension between them, and things become further strained when Sam's beloved grandmother, Halmoni—with whom Priscilla has a contentious relationship—falls ill. After an emotional blowout with her mom results in Sam downloading a ride-share app called Throwback Rides, the app sends her back to 1995, where she meets teenage Priscilla. Via sharp-witted humor and multidimensional characters, Goo crafts a layered, intergenerational telling of compassion and empathy that, rather than excusing the actions that drove a wedge between Sam and Priscilla, provides context that helps Sam make peace with their relationship. Ages 14–up.
