Tae's Sonata

A parent might reach for this book when their middle schooler feels caught between two cultures, perhaps feeling embarrassed or unsure how to embrace their heritage. Eighth-grader Tae is a Korean-American girl who just wants to fit in, which to her means being fully American. She is mortified when a school project forces her to research her Korean background, and even more so when she is paired with Josh, the popular boy she has a crush on. The story gently explores themes of self-confidence, cultural identity, and the anxieties of friendship and first romance. Appropriate for ages 12 to 15, this book is a great choice for a child navigating the complexities of their identity. It normalizes the struggle of balancing heritage with the desire to belong and can serve as a thoughtful conversation starter about family history and self-acceptance.