The Name Drop
on Goodreads (3,319)
What’s inside...
From the author of Seoulmates comes a story of mistaken identities, the summer of a lifetime, and a love to risk everything for. When Elijah Ri arrives in New York City for an internship at his father’s massive tech company, Haneul Corporation, he expects the royal treatment that comes with being the future CEO—even if that’s the last thing he wants. But instead, he finds himself shuffled into a group of overworked, unpaid interns, all sharing a shoebox apartment for the summer. When Jessica Lee arrives in New York City, she’s eager to make the most of her internship at Haneul Corporation, even if she’s at the bottom of the corporate ladder. But she’s shocked to be introduced as the new executive-in-training intern with a gorgeous brownstone all to herself. It doesn’t take long for Elijah and Jessica to discover the source of their mix-up: they share the same Korean name. But they decide to stay switched—so Elijah can have a relaxing summer away from his controlling dad while Jessica can make the connections she desperately needs for college recommendations. As Elijah and Jessica work together to keep up the charade, a spark develops between them. Can they avoid discovery—and total disaster—with their feelings and futures on the line?
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
15-18
Length
304 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did you feel when the characters shared their names? Can you think of a story behind your own name?
Why do you think names are important to people?
What would you do if you met someone who had trouble pronouncing your name?
If you could choose a name for a new character in the book, what would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts about each character's experience with their name. Listen attentively and validate their feelings. Share a personal story about your name or a name in your family to deepen the connection. Try playfully experimenting with names, perhaps inventing new ones together for fun or to create a sense of involvement with the book’s themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of respecting others' feelings
Explanation: In 'The Name Drop', the main character learns to acknowledge and respect the feelings of their peers when they react negatively to having their names misused or made fun of.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by being more considerate and thoughtful in their interactions, making sure to call others by their correct names and treating them with respect.
Example Lesson: The value of apologizing and making amends
Explanation: The protagonist makes mistakes by mispronouncing names but learns the importance of sincere apologies to mend relationships.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the significance of saying sorry when they have hurt someone, either intentionally or unintentionally, and encourages them to make things right.
Example Lesson: Understanding and celebrating diversity
Explanation: Through the diverse names introduced in the book, children learn about different cultures and the beauty of diversity.
Real-World Application: Kids can become more curious and appreciative of cultural differences, fostering a more inclusive environment at school or in playgroups.
Example Lesson: The power of communication
Explanation: As the story unfolds, the main character improves their communication skills by learning to ask how to pronounce names correctly.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to ask questions and communicate effectively to avoid misunderstandings and build stronger relationships with their peers.
Example Lesson: Self-advocacy
Explanation: Characters in the book stand up for themselves by correcting mispronunciations of their names, highlighting the importance of self-advocacy.
Real-World Application: This can empower children to correct others when their own names are mispronounced or if they feel disrespected in other ways, fostering a sense of self-respect and confidence.