An Na’s debut novel about Young Ju, a young girl who moves with her family from Korea to California, deftly explores the enormous personal, familial and social challenges that come with adjusting to a foreign land. Through Young Ju’s childhood perspective, A Step from Heaven depicts her family’s struggle to make their new life work as they encounter financial burdens, substance abuse and cultural hurdles. The novel, published in 2001, reflected An Na’s own experience; she also moved from Korea to California in her youth and has spoken in interviews about feeling torn between her Korean heritage and her American life. A Step from Heaven went on to win multiple awards, including the 2002 Michael L. Printz award, and delivers to young readers a truly impactful reflection on the nuances of immigration and assimilation through conflicting traditions, languages and personal experiences. —Peter Allen Clark
Buy Now: A Step from Heaven on Bookshop | Amazon
- Why Trump’s Message Worked on Latino Men
- What Trump’s Win Could Mean for Housing
- The 100 Must-Read Books of 2024
- Sleep Doctors Share the 1 Tip That’s Changed Their Lives
- Column: Let’s Bring Back Romance
- What It’s Like to Have Long COVID As a Kid
- FX’s Say Nothing Is the Must-Watch Political Thriller of 2024
- Merle Bombardieri Is Helping People Make the Baby Decision