
Readers will love this teen rom-com so mochi. Strong characters and a story with real depth make this a worthy read. She explores the struggle of discovering one’s familial and cultural history and how it shapes who one becomes. Weaving in Japanese vocabulary and slang, she also subtly addresses racism and differences between Japanese and Japanese-American cultures.

Kuhn ( Heroine's Journey, 2018, etc.) has brought together travel, fashion, food, romance, and family to create an incredibly sweet and heartwarming coming-of-age romantic comedy. What begins as an escape from reality becomes Kimi’s path to developing insights into her mother’s past and her own future. It also helps that Akira, a cute boy, offers to be her guide. With its beautiful sights, Kyoto is the perfect place to find herself. With a fourth-generation Japanese-American father and a Japanese mother, the country offers her many familiar foods and customs but also a completely foreign culture. After fighting with her mom, Kimi is eager to accept a surprise invitation to visit her estranged grandparents in Kyoto over spring break. Kimi enjoys designing bold outfits that make her feel like the ultimate version of herself. Japanese-American high school senior Kimi Nakamura’s future is planned out: become a great Asian-American artist. A disheartened teen takes a trip to Japan to find her true passion.
