Outrun the Moon

Reach for this book when your teenager is grappling with unfair systems, feeling limited by social expectations, or needs to see how resilience is forged in the face of sudden tragedy. Mercy Wong is a brilliant protagonist who uses her sharp business mind and a bit of trickery to break into a prestigious San Francisco finishing school in 1906. While the first half focuses on her navigating racism and classism, the story shifts dramatically when the historic 1906 earthquake strikes. It is a powerful exploration of female ambition, Chinese-American identity, and the ways disaster can both destroy and unite. Parents will appreciate the sophisticated balance of historical rigor and a fast-paced survival narrative that remains hopeful without sugarcoating the harsh realities of the era.