Sonata

by Haemi Balgassi

A novel about a Korean eighth grader, a recent immigrant to the United States, coming to terms with her background. "Tae is a Korean-American eighth grader. It's bad enough that her social studies teacher assigns her South Korea for her class project, but he also pairs her with popular Josh Morgan which garners her the spite of a popular clique of girls. . . . The characters are familiar and believable and aspects of Korean life are well incorporated into the story. . . . Well written and appealing." -- School Library Journal

Genres: Young Adult

164 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

The trials of middle school transcend ethnic and cultural groups in this coming of age book. Tae Young is an eight grade student of Korean descent recently arrived in the US with her birth parents. In the five years since her immigration, Tae has made many strides to becoming American--she learned English, made friends cross-culturally, and struggled with being in a homogeneous population that doesn't look like her. When she is assigned to do a report on South Korea with the school's popular boy, she once again must figure out who she is and what are her values. A quick read if very simplistic in its resolution.

[Kal Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read with my grade 8 girls reading group. Excellent choice.

[Salsabrarian]

Yet another story of an Asian youth trying to fit into American society. Korean-born Tae is horrified to be paired with popular Josh Morgan to work on a class report on South Korea. She also has a falling out with her best friend Meg, ends up befriending class outcast Jody, struggles in PE class and has to put up with the snobbish attitude of Krista, a girl set on snagging Josh. Her parents Oppa and Umma run a Korean grocery and have their own challenges in American society and the local Korean community.

[Ling Juan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good book! It was about a Korean girl named Tae. She moved from Korea to America with her family.She wasn't use to the new environment. She was in class oneday and Mr.Babbett(teacher) gave an assignment to his students. Tae was partner with Josh(Royal) and she wasn't happy...As days went by Tae started to like Josh.Even though there was a lot of problems between Tae and the Royals when she was working on the report with Josh, Tae got use to it.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was o.k. It was more about budding teen romance than being an Asian-American and trying to fit in. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone else to read and wouldn't say it's a good addition to a multicultural library, but it wasn't a waste of my time reading it. Not a thumbs up or a thumbs down - a thumbs horizontal.

[Jocelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good

[Quishamhiribidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really good