- Book
- By Celeste Ng
- Reviewed by Valerie
Racial Representation: 4
LGBTQ+ Representation: 0
Disability Representation: 0
Body Size Representation: 0
Gender Representation: 5
Socioeconomic Representation: 5
Mental Health Representation: 4
Religious Representation: 0
Own Voice: Kind of
The book focuses on the seemingly perfect town of Shaker Heights where the author Celeste Ng grew up. Throughout the book, the themes of racism, abortion, feminism, poverty, family structure, acceptance, depression, xenophobia, motherhood and structural inequities are explored through the stories of two different families and a court case about the adoption of a Chinese baby. One family, the Richardsons, are white, wealthy, a picture perfect family, and very involved in the community. The other, the Warrens, is made up of a single mother who works several jobs and her bright young daughter who is tired of moving constantly. This new family who doesn’t fit in throws a wrench in the perfect community of Shaker Heights and the ugly faults of the community come to light.
Sources:
Diversify the Media Narrative 