Nora & Kettle (Paper Stars, #1)

Reach for this book when your teenager is grappling with the weight of systemic injustice or feeling isolated within a difficult home environment. It is a powerful choice for young adults who are ready to explore the darker chapters of history and the messy reality of family trauma. The story follows Kettle, a Japanese American orphan surviving the post-internment era, and Nora, a girl trapped in a violent, high-society household. While the subject matter is heavy, dealing with racism and domestic abuse, it serves as a profound tool for validation and healing. It is best suited for older teens (14+) who have the emotional maturity to handle intense themes of grief and systemic prejudice while finding hope in the resilience of human connection.