Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Waiting on Wednesday/Orchards by Holly Thompson

Wednesday, December 1, 2010
"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the SpineThis meme spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


Author: Holly Thompson
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Release Date: February 22, 2011

After a classmate commits suicide, Kana Goldberg—a half-Japanese, half-Jewish American—wonders who is responsible. She and her cliquey friends said some thoughtless things to the girl. Hoping that Kana will reflect on her behavior, her parents pack her off to her mother's ancestral home in Japan for the summer. There Kana spends hours under the hot sun tending to her family's mikan orange groves.

Kana's mixed heritage makes it hard to fit in at first, especially under the critical eye of her traditional grandmother, who has never accepted Kana's father. But as the summer unfolds, Kana gets to know her relatives, Japan, and village culture, and she begins to process the pain and guilt she feels about the tragedy back home. Then news about a friend sends her world spinning out of orbit all over again.
(Publisher's summary from Amazon)

I like the idea behind this transgenerational story, where the MC goes from being part of a clique to being an outsider. I also love the setting.

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16 comments:

Nic @ Irresistible Reads said...

Great pick. I haven't heard of that title before. Will be adding this to the list.

If you like you can check out my WOW at http://irresistiblereads.blogspot.com/2010/12/waiting-on-wednesday-6.html

Nic @ Irresistible Reads said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
The Crooked Bookshelf said...

you pick looks really interesting.. have never read a trans-generational story before.. will surely put it on my to-read list..

Alison Can Read said...

This sounds absolutely fabulous! I love anything about Japan.

Unknown said...

Interesting pic. And what a simple yet quite striking cover!

Christina / Book Addict said...

Great pick! I've been seeing this one around lately- interesting premise!

Aylee said...

I've never heard of this one before! I like the premise.

Gaby G said...

I have seen this one around, it sounds good.

Tammy (The Book Fairy's Haven) said...

Oh I like the sound of this one too and remember having seen it around but forgot the title until I saw your post today. :) Yay for that!

Jill said...

Gorgeous cover!!

Anonymous said...

I'd add this one to my tbr pile just because it sounds so different from what I usually read. And I agree, reading it from the popular girls point of view would be interesting.

Book Sake said...

This sounds great. I also love the location for this story! Thanks!!

Jenny N. said...

I'm looking forward to this one too as I've spent some time in Japan a couple of years ago.

Casey (The Bookish Type) said...

Great pick! I love that it treats such an important and timely issue - and from an interesting POV!

Reading Lassie said...

Ooh, this sounds great! I have always loved Japan and its people! *goes to goodreads and added Orchards to TBR pile*

Julie said...

Oooo! Great pick. Awesome story and setting. I'm putting this one my TBR list :)

 
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