2022 SQHS Your Literate Life - BOOK REVIEWS ONLY discussion

The way you make me feel by Maurene Goo

Reviewed by Wendy Cheng


The book The way you make me feel is about a half Brazilian Korean American girl named Clara Shin. Since Clara’s mom left the family when she was three, she lives with her dad in an apartment in LA California. Clara’s mom is a social media influencer who travel the world and has her own TV show, while her dad owned this food truck called the Kobra, (short for Korean Brazilian food). Clara is a junior in high school. And the story starts off towards the end of school year she never really takes school seriously; she is as known as the class clown. Her biggest enemies this girl named Rose who is completely different from her in every way Towards the end of the school year, Clara pull up a prank at prom, and eventually got into a big fight with rose. Now she is being forced to work at the food truck with Rose all summer. What is going to happened? What about her trip to Tulum with her mom since she hardly even sees her?

This is supposed to be a young adults romance book but somehow, I did not find the romance part of this book satisfying. I was excepting something more than just flirting and holding hands, so that was disappointing. Anyway, there are still some cute romance in it. I love Clara’s humor, she is so funny, if you are looking for a make you laugh read, I would totally recommend this book. Overall beside the romance part is sort of dry, I did enjoy the friendship that is being build up between Rose and Clara and Clara’s relationship with her dad after something happened. I also appreciate the diversity in this book, and how Goo tie all the diversity together. Throughout the book you really see how Clara changed and grow up to care about the food truck. Overall this is pleasant read and I wound recommend to anyone.

does it seem more like a coming of age and less romance? looks like an interesting read

Ivy wrote: "does it seem more like a coming of age and less romance? looks like an interesting read"

Yeah, that's exactly how I feel! It is interesting to see how the relationship between Clara and her dad changes as she grows to see things that she didn't realize, Despite the romance I totally recommend this book to anyone!

Breanne wrote: "Wow! This book sounds like it would make an amazing TV show/movie! I really enjoy the way that you explained Clara's life and how her status and personality is in school. What were some of the thin..."


Thank you so much!!! After reading this book I kind of wish there is a TV show for it! There is actually a lot of differences between Clara and Rose. For example Rose is like this perfect child that all the parents wish they would have, while Clara is a trouble maker who takes everything as a joke but secretly cares about things. It's really fun to see how they interact and later becomes best friends!