The Take

Kelly Yang's "The Take" is a compelling and thought-provoking novel for older teens and adults, exploring the high stakes of ambition, identity, and power dynamics. It centers on Maggie Wang, a young, financially struggling Asian American writer, and Ingrid Parker, an aging Hollywood producer desperate to maintain her career. Their lives intertwine through an experimental age-reversal treatment, where Maggie provides her youth for $3 million and mentorship. The book delves into the ethical implications of such a deal, the cutthroat nature of the entertainment industry, and the shifting balance of power between the two women. Parents should be aware of the mature themes, including psychological manipulation, exploitation, and the intense pressures of career success. It's an excellent choice for sparking discussions about integrity, ambition, and societal values.

A provocative, fast-paced novel about two creative women—a young writer fighting to be heard and an older producer clinging to relevancy—and the age reversal treatment that intertwines both of their lives…from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the beloved Front Desk series Would you sell your youth for $3 million? Maggie Wang, a broke young Asian American writer, needs a lifeline. Ingrid Parker, a veteran white Hollywood producer with her career on the edge, offers an irresistible deal: $3 million for ten experimental medical sessions to reverse her aging, using Maggie as a transfusion partner, and mentorship. For Ingrid, it's a chance to reboot her fading career. For Maggie, it's access and freedom—money to support her parents and the connections to finally get her novel published. What starts as a professional transaction exchanging blood quickly becomes a complex psychological dance. As Maggie gains unprecedented access to Ingrid's hard-earned wisdom, Ingrid sees in Maggie a weapon against an industry that's been trying to sideline her. As their relationship intensifies, the rules around aging begin to shift. So does the balance of power between the two women, leaving both questioning who holds the upper hand and what they're willing to sacrifice to succeed. Sharp, timely, and utterly compelling, The Take is perfect for readers of Yellowface and Such a Fun Age—a searing portrait of two women fighting to rewrite their story.