Throwback

A parent would reach for this book when their teenager feels a growing disconnect from their family heritage or expresses frustration with the cultural gap between themselves and their parents. It is a perfect choice for navigating the friction of high expectations and the feeling that a mother could never understand what it is like to be a modern teen. The story follows Samantha, a Korean American girl who is magically transported to the 1990s where she meets the teenage version of her mother. Through this time-travel journey, the book explores profound themes of empathy, the weight of the immigrant experience, and the realization that parents are complex individuals with their own pasts. While it deals with a grandmother's illness, the tone remains humorous and hopeful. It is an ideal read for ages 12 and up, offering a bridge for families to discuss their own histories and the invisible pressures each generation carries.