An engaging picture of a girl facing the past—both her family’s and her own—in service of her future.
Insightful. Intricate. Honest. With richly drawn characters that feel utterly real, Misa Sugiura reminds us that the past is always present, but that we hold the power to shape our future, if we’re brave enough to face it.
One of the most authentic, steadfastly real teen characters I’ve read in recent memory. CJ deals with racism, familial strife, and finding herself with a charm and grace I couldn’t get enough of. Her pitch-perfect voice leaped off the page and stayed with me. Highly, highly recommend.
Fresh, vibrant, affecting and powerful.
New York Times Book Review
At turns delightfully humorous and wonderfully insightful. The cultural nuances were perfect, and I found myself utterly transported. I can’t wait to read what Sugiura writes next.
A queer coming-of-age story that also tackles big topics like adultery, racism, and the cultural conflicts of immigrant families.
CJ will break your heart, reassemble it, and put it in a gorgeous flower arrangement that’ll make your heart soar. A lovely and complicated story of different forms of love and figuring out who you want to be in the world.
Refreshingly complex. An astute look at privilege, power, and history in sometimes unexpected forms.
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
The novel's structure complements its themes: There is the forward-moving action of romance, suspense about the fate of the store, and the possibilities of a budding student revolution, alternating with short bursts of Japanese-American history that CJ embellishes with whip-smart sarcasm…This masterly weaving of the personal, political and historical is one of the novel's greatest strengths. A story with so many narrative threads might easily unspool, but Sugiura keeps it tightly interlaced through CJ's captivating, honest, often hilarious point of view…Her voice anchors a novel that's fresh, vibrant, affecting and powerful.
The New York Times Book Review - Brendan Kiely
★ 05/13/2019
In Silicon Valley, Japanese-American CJ Katsuyama, 17, has yet to show an interest in or an aptitude for anything, except perhaps working at the family’s failing flower shop, Heart’s Desire, with her aunt Hannah, much to her overachieving venture capitalist mother Mimi’s chagrin. Mimi gives Hannah an ultimatum about the business—fix it or sell it to McAllister Venture Capital, a family that partially built its wealth by acquiring the property of Japanese-Americans forced into internment camps during WWII. The family flower shop was one of those businesses, sold cheaply and bought back by CJ’s grandfather at the market rate decades later. In this tension, CJ finally finds her cause: save the family business, and make the McAllisters pay for their past transgressions. Sugiura (It’s Not Like It’s a Secret ) deftly weaves historical fact into this coming-of-age narrative, which also explores a budding romance and CJ’s curiosity about her father’s identity, a secret her mother has never revealed. Through CJ, she also addresses how the myth of the model minority has impacted Asian-Americans but is careful to not judge success within the Asian-American community. Sugiura provides an entertaining and informative backdrop that allows CJ to explore her own sense of identity while giving readers a front seat to her process. Ages 13–up. Agent: Leigh Feldman, Feldman Literary Agency. (June)
★ “Sugiura tackles an abundance of topics with finesse, including social and economic injustice, allyship, and feminism, simultaneously breaking down the Asian-American immigration narrative and the myth of the model minority. Essential.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
★ “A gripping, emotionally charged story that presents a window into a uniquely Japanese American experience.” — School Library Journal (starred review)
★“With intelligent dialogue surrounding diversity, representation and responsible social action, This Time Will Be Different is a timely, smart novel that readers of contemporary teen fiction will likely devour.” — Shelf Awareness (starred review)
★ “Sugiura deftly weaves historical fact into this coming-of-age narrative, providing an entertaining and informative backdrop that allows CJ to explore her own sense of identity while giving readers a front seat to her process.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Fresh, vibrant, affecting and powerful.” — New York Times Book Review
“One of the most authentic, steadfastly real teen characters I’ve read in recent memory. CJ deals with racism, familial strife, and finding herself with a charm and grace I couldn’t get enough of. Her pitch-perfect voice leaped off the page and stayed with me. Highly, highly recommend.” — Sandhya Menon, New York Times bestselling author of When Dimple Met Rishi
“At turns delightfully humorous and wonderfully insightful. The cultural nuances were perfect, and I found myself utterly transported. I can’t wait to read what Sugiura writes next.” — Renée Ahdieh, New York Times bestselling author of The Wrath & the Dawn
“Insightful. Intricate. Honest. With richly drawn characters that feel utterly real, Misa Sugiura reminds us that the past is always present, but that we hold the power to shape our future, if we’re brave enough to face it.” — Samira Ahmed, New York Times bestselling author of Love, Hate & Other Filters and Internment
“An engaging picture of a girl facing the past—both her family’s and her own—in service of her future.” — Horn Book Magazine
“Refreshingly complex. An astute look at privilege, power, and history in sometimes unexpected forms.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“Sugiura’s deep dive into mother-daughter relationships, the fragility of self-worth, and the gathering of courage resonates deeply.” — ALA Booklist
“Hilarious and fiercely loyal, CJ is one of my favorite characters to hit the page in a long time. This smart and thought-provoking tale of the bonds that connect family, and second chances, will have you cheering in your seats.” — Stacey Lee, award-winning author of Outrun the Moon and The Secret of a Heart Note
“CJ will break your heart, reassemble it, and put it in a gorgeous flower arrangement that’ll make your heart soar. A lovely and complicated story of different forms of love and figuring out who you want to be in the world.” — Sara Farizan, award-winning author of If You Could Be Mine and Here to Stay
“A beautiful, exquisitely crafted story about finding your voice. This Time Will Be Different boasts complex characters with deep-rooted histories, and the exploration of what it means to be a good ally is both timely and necessary. I was captivated from the first page.” — Akemi Dawn Bowman, author of Starfish and Summer Bird Blue
“Strikes that perfect balance of light-hearted humor and emotional depth. I adored CJ and her journey. Using an inventive narrative structure to explore friendship and romance alongside family and history, Misa Sugiura has created a truly fun and thoughtful read.” — Maurene Goo, author of I Believe in a Thing Called Love
“Smart, funny, and huge-hearted. You will cheer for CJ as she blooms in the most beautiful of ways. A fierce anthem for protecting (and fighting for) the values and boundaries of your own heart, even as they shift on you.” — Kim Culbertson, author of Catch a Falling Star and The Possibility of Now
PRAISE FOR It’s Not Like It’s a Secret: ★“Sugiura thoughtfully explores intersecting issues of race, immigrant-family relationships, queer romance, and, less explicitly, class dynamics without implying the significance of one over the others. Well-paced, brimming with drama, and utterly vital.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“An essential and delightful choice that realistically celebrates a teen’s discovery of trust in herself and in others.” — School Library Journal
“A queer coming-of-age story that also tackles big topics like adultery, racism, and the cultural conflicts of immigrant families.” — Brightly
Refreshingly complex. An astute look at privilege, power, and history in sometimes unexpected forms.
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Sugiura’s deep dive into mother-daughter relationships, the fragility of self-worth, and the gathering of courage resonates deeply.
A beautiful, exquisitely crafted story about finding your voice. This Time Will Be Different boasts complex characters with deep-rooted histories, and the exploration of what it means to be a good ally is both timely and necessary. I was captivated from the first page.
Smart, funny, and huge-hearted. You will cheer for CJ as she blooms in the most beautiful of ways. A fierce anthem for protecting (and fighting for) the values and boundaries of your own heart, even as they shift on you.
Hilarious and fiercely loyal, CJ is one of my favorite characters to hit the page in a long time. This smart and thought-provoking tale of the bonds that connect family, and second chances, will have you cheering in your seats.
Strikes that perfect balance of light-hearted humor and emotional depth. I adored CJ and her journey. Using an inventive narrative structure to explore friendship and romance alongside family and history, Misa Sugiura has created a truly fun and thoughtful read.
Refreshingly complex. An astute look at privilege, power, and history in sometimes unexpected forms.
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
At turns delightfully humorous and wonderfully insightful. The cultural nuances were perfect, and I found myself utterly transported. I can’t wait to read what Sugiura writes next.
★ 05/01/2019
Gr 9 Up— Her entire life, 17-year-old CJ Katsuyama has heard that "Katsuyamas never quit"—but here she is barely started, struggling to live up to her successful mother's ambitious plans to get her into the right college. Instead of prestigious internships, after-school sports, or any other idea her mother has presented, CJ develops a passion for working at the family's flower shop. The shop was lost when her family was forced into internment camps during World War II, but they painstakingly fought to get it back—and won. When CJ finds out the flower shop's future is again compromised, her entire world becomes uprooted. Will she be able to win the fight for her family's legacy? Set in present-day California, this is a gripping, emotionally charged story that presents an interesting window into a uniquely Japanese American experience that deserves attention. Although a work of fiction, the novel discusses the present influence of devastating American history and counters the idea that past experiences of injustice no longer affect the modern landscape. CJ, her mother, and her aunt grapple with what success looks like—should they "play the system" built through profiting unfairly off of others or continue to harbor what some may consider frivolous grudges? However, the story is not presented as a sterile case study—Sugiura's writing perfectly blends all these important themes and more as readers travel through very real emotions with a teen attempting to grow up. Despite family history or turmoil, she must still navigate the pitfalls of love, friendship, and life at school. The novel also discusses LGBT+ issues and discrimination, abortion, and other realistic teen struggles. VERDICT Recommended purchase for a variety of collections looking for contemporary voices that mirror real-life landscapes.—DeHanza Kwong, Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte, NC
Narrator Joy Osmanski delivers the sarcasm of 17-year-old CJ Katsuyama. Her demeanor thinly veils her pain at the lack of love she feels from her mother, a driven business executive. CJ believes she will always fail to meet her mother’s expectations. On the other hand, Osmanski makes clear the love and support this teen has from her best friend, Em; her Aunt Hannah; and Owen a new friend. Just as distinctly, Osmanski voices CJ’s lack of self-love, rigid thinking, and then, gradually, her emerging emotions of tenderness, compassion, and self-acceptance. The story involves a lot of issues—including abortion, historical injustice toward Japanese-Americans, white privilege, and LGBTQ identity. However, Osmanski conveys wit and authentic feelings that keep listeners from feeling the story is too problem driven. S.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine
Narrator Joy Osmanski delivers the sarcasm of 17-year-old CJ Katsuyama. Her demeanor thinly veils her pain at the lack of love she feels from her mother, a driven business executive. CJ believes she will always fail to meet her mother’s expectations. On the other hand, Osmanski makes clear the love and support this teen has from her best friend, Em; her Aunt Hannah; and Owen a new friend. Just as distinctly, Osmanski voices CJ’s lack of self-love, rigid thinking, and then, gradually, her emerging emotions of tenderness, compassion, and self-acceptance. The story involves a lot of issues—including abortion, historical injustice toward Japanese-Americans, white privilege, and LGBTQ identity. However, Osmanski conveys wit and authentic feelings that keep listeners from feeling the story is too problem driven. S.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine
