Throwback
Written by Maurene Goo
Published by Zando Young Readers
Being a first-generation Asian American immigrant is hard. You know what’s harder? Being the daughter of one.
Priscilla is first-generation Korean American, a former high school cheerleader who expects Sam to want the same all-American nightmare. Meanwhile, Sam is a girl of the times who has no energy for clichéd high school aspirations. After a huge blowup, Sam is desperate to get away from Priscilla, but instead, finds herself thrown back. Way back.
To her shock, Sam lands in the ’90s . . . alongside a 17-year-old Priscilla.
Now, Sam has to deal with outdated tech, regressive ’90s attitudes, and her growing feelings for sweet, mysterious football player Jamie, who just might be the right guy in the wrong era.
With the clock ticking, Sam must figure out how to fix things with Priscilla or risk being trapped in an analog world forever. Sam’s blast to the past has her questioning everything she thought she knew about her mom . . . and herself. One thing’s for sure: Time is a mother.
Brimming with heart and humor, Maurene Goo’s Throwback asks big questions about what exactly one inherits and loses in the immigrant experience.
Primary ISBN: 9781638930204
Publication Date: April 2023
Available As: Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook, eBook
Young Adult, Age 14 or older
Community Represented: Korean/Korean American
Themes: Accolades & Awards, Accolades & Awards: Starred Review, Coming of Age, Cultural Empowerment, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Family, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Identity, Discrimination: Microaggression, Discrimination: Racial, Family Relationship: Grandparents, Family Relationship: Parents, Format: Audiobook, Generation: 1st, Generation: 2nd, Generational Differences, Genre: Humor, Genre: Romance, Identity: Exploration, Multilingual: Korean Featured Words, Own Voices/Lived Experience, Trauma & Healing, Trauma & Healing: Death of Family or Friend, Trauma & Healing: Illness, Trauma & Healing: Intergenerational
Setting: United States (Los Angeles CA)
Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: 1st Generation, 2nd Generation
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience
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Engagement Materials:
Character Playlist – Priscilla
Source: Penguin Random House