A Scatter of Light

Reach for this book when your teenager is navigating a summer of transition, whether they are heading off to college or questioning their place in the world. It is an essential choice for parents of teens who are beginning to explore their own identity, heritage, and the complexities of first love while away from the comforts of home. After a social mistake lands her at her grandmother's house, seventeen year old Aria finds herself pulled into a vibrant circle of artists and activists that challenges everything she thought she knew about herself. Through Aria's eyes, the story explores the bittersweet tension of growing up and the courage it takes to be honest with oneself. Malinda Lo handles themes of queer identity, Chinese American heritage, and the nuance of adult relationships with grace and realism. This is a sophisticated coming of age story for mature teens (14 and up) that validates the messiness of self discovery and the beauty of finding a community where you truly belong.