Monument on Lenora Avenue

by Jesse McDaniel

Overview

"We were just two typical kids. It's pretty much the standard story that you've never heard. Two young teenagers that were forced to move to Japan for whatever reason. We were called "third culture kids," and the title never meant anything to us. All we knew was this life. A life of travel and adaptation. Tokyo was our canvas. We were tossed a few crayons and told, "Color it as you will." So we did. We didn't choose Tokyo, perhaps Tokyo in all of its glam and glitter chose us. We were just characters you know. We always knew it. Somewhere lingering between two green taxis or on a subway platform was the film crew. They would monitor our every conversation and cue the perfect soundtrack that would fit the scene just right. Lost in Translation had not come out yet. Who was Bill Murray anyway? We were the kid versions and we had no idea. We weren't lost, we were just... there." Two best friends meet in Tokyo and attend school there as middle school and high school students. They adapt in a new city as "third culture kids," but the real challenge is returning "home" to America. The only problem is home no longer exists within their minds. After struggling with fitting in, the two drop out from their selected art schools and travel across the continent in order to rediscover America.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940159043535
Publisher:	JESSE MCDANIEL
Publication date:	04/16/2018
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	844 KB

About the Author

Jesse L. McDaniel was born in Tokyo, Japan and moved to Seattle, Washington when he was still a baby. His back and forth lifestyle was the inspiration of writing his first novel, "Monument on Lenora Avenue." The novel takes the reader on a journey of what it's like to suffer from wander lust and reverse culture shock. It's a disease of a serious kind, and many labeled under the identification of "third culture kid" should be seriously checked. He currently resides in Washington with his wife and daughter.

Editorial Reviews

This book is a hilarious and heartbreaking journey of self-discovery that is worth a few reads. The first time I read it, the story captivated me and carried me along its many meandering turns. The second, I took those turns more slowly, savoring every moment described in eloquent detail. I highly recommend this book. If you have ever been lost, longing to be found; if you have ever experienced momentous joy and debilitating despair; in short, if you have lived, this book is for you.

Amazon - Benjamin Winans

I loved this book from beginning to end! Jesse has a style that is gripping and makes you feel snug in the bug along with Ben and Jesse. It's a story that resonates with anyone that has taken a road trip, traveled, or had the fortunate- unfortunate experience of being home-less. At times I felt the frustration of Ben and Jesse. At other times, the exhaustion of being on the move. I laughed. I had tears come to my eyes. It's absolutely a book to read more than once. I highly recommend it!

Amazon - Kyla Hoggard