JUNE 2022 - AudioFile
Narrator Sophie Oda creates a determined voice for Aoi, a 12-year-old Japanese-American who changes her name to Annie during the summer of 1987 after tiring of everyone constantly mispronouncing her Japanese name. Annie starts exploring her interests, such as theater and basketball, but along the way she faces racism and microaggressions from other students and even adults. Oda captures the difficult emotions that surface as Annie tries to figure out her aspirations in life—all while facing pressure from her family and the constraints society places on her. Listeners will cheer Annie on as she finds the strength and courage to stand up for herself in this coming-of-age story from the not-so-distant past. M.D. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
Publishers Weekly
12/06/2021
In 1987, Japanese American Aoi Inoue (better known as Annie Enoway, “which people seemed more comfortable with”), dreams of being on stage. And after catching the basketball bug from her father, despite not even reaching 5’3”, Annie is also excited to try out for a team. Though the girl is a dreamer like her optimistic dad—who’s a big believer in the American dream—her down-to-earth mother never fails to remind Annie that her aspirations may not be realistic, instead encouraging a career in math and science. Nevertheless, Annie makes the basketball team and continues to pursue theater at every opportunity. The 12-year-old’s chance onstage comes when she stars in her school production of The King and I, but a story spreads that she was only cast as the lead in the Siam-set show because she’s Asian. Not only that, the rumor comes from an unexpected source, forcing Annie to grapple with whom she can trust as well as with the microaggressions happening all around her Kansas hometown. With encouragement from the school’s theater director, Annie channels her hurt and confusion into the next production, determined to prove the naysayers wrong. Brown (While I Was Away) paints a realistic picture of one Japanese American child’s experiences growing up in a mostly white town. Annie’s arc is an uplifting one as she traverses the highs and lows of friendship, middle school, and family expectations to fulfill her dreams, despite the bigoted thinking of people around her. An author’s note details inspiration for the work. Ages 8–12. Agent: Penny Moore, Aevitas Creative Management. (Jan.)
From the Publisher
"This is a captivating coming-of-age story of determination. Brown eloquently addresses the history of Asian immigration, microaggressions, the model minority myth, stereotyping, and the impact of the lack of representation. An eye-opening, inspiring story of growing up, facing obstacles, and chasing your dreams anyway." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Brown sensitively portrays Annie's shift from a girl who readily makes adaptations to fit in with the majority culture to a person who is fully aware of racial prejudice yet dreams of a bright future. This thought-provoking historical novel highlights issues faced by many Asian Americans, past and present." — Booklist (starred review)
"Brown paints a realistic picture of one Japanese American child’s experiences growing up in a mostly white town. Annie’s arc is an uplifting one as she traverses the highs and lows of friendship, middle school, and family expectations to fulfill her dreams, despite the bigoted thinking of people around her." — Publishers Weekly
"Annie's voice is so sweet, charming, and absorbingly addictive. I was mesmerized by her story, her troubles, and all of her dreams. I wish the book had never ended, but I know that she'll stick with me long after the last pages." — Van Hoang, author of Girl Giant and the Monkey King
"In this ultimately uplifting story, Brown describes the painful racism the Inoue family faces and their differing experiences of living in the United States." — Horn Book Magazine
Horn Book Magazine
"In this ultimately uplifting story, Brown describes the painful racism the Inoue family faces and their differing experiences of living in the United States."
Booklist (starred review)
"Brown sensitively portrays Annie's shift from a girl who readily makes adaptations to fit in with the majority culture to a person who is fully aware of racial prejudice yet dreams of a bright future. This thought-provoking historical novel highlights issues faced by many Asian Americans, past and present."
Van Hoang
"Annie's voice is so sweet, charming, and absorbingly addictive. I was mesmerized by her story, her troubles, and all of her dreams. I wish the book had never ended, but I know that she'll stick with me long after the last pages."
JUNE 2022 - AudioFile
Narrator Sophie Oda creates a determined voice for Aoi, a 12-year-old Japanese-American who changes her name to Annie during the summer of 1987 after tiring of everyone constantly mispronouncing her Japanese name. Annie starts exploring her interests, such as theater and basketball, but along the way she faces racism and microaggressions from other students and even adults. Oda captures the difficult emotions that surface as Annie tries to figure out her aspirations in life—all while facing pressure from her family and the constraints society places on her. Listeners will cheer Annie on as she finds the strength and courage to stand up for herself in this coming-of-age story from the not-so-distant past. M.D. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
★ 2021-10-13
A Japanese American girl pursues her dreams amid the racism of middle school in 1987 Kansas.
Twelve-year-old Aoi Inoue has big dreams. She dreams of playing basketball in the NBA. She dreams of becoming an actress and winning an Oscar. Being one of the only Asian kids isn’t easy, however, and facing endless hassles with her name, she reinvents herself as Annie Enoway. An exciting opportunity arises when the local theater puts on the play Annie—but is it realistic to hope to be cast as the famous redhead? When seventh grade starts, Annie makes the basketball team and gets a more prominent role than she expected in the school play, The King and I, but that in turn brings accusations from peers of an unfair advantage based on race. As Annie takes part in all these activities, she keeps encountering people with opinions and biases about who she is and what she can do as an Asian girl. Navigating middle school also includes the complications of a first crush, strict teachers, and changing friendships. This is a captivating coming-of-age story of determination, as bilingual Annie begins to understand the racism she, her brother, and her immigrant parents face daily. Brown eloquently addresses the history of Asian immigration, microaggressions, the model minority myth, stereotyping, and the impact of the lack of representation.
An eye-opening, inspiring story of growing up, facing obstacles, and chasing your dreams anyway. (author's note) (Fiction. 8-12)
