Throwback
on Goodreads (4,298)
What’s inside...
Back to the Future meets The Joy Luck Club in this YA contemporary romance about a Korean American girl sent back to the ’90s to (reluctantly) help her teenage mom win Homecoming Queen. Being a first-generation Asian American immigrant is hard. You know what’s harder? Being the daughter of one. Samantha Kang has never gotten along with her mother, Priscilla—and has never understood her bougie-nightmare, John Hughes high school expectations. After a huge fight between them, Sam is desperate to move forward—but instead, finds herself thrown back. Way back. To her shock, Sam finds herself back in high school . . . in the ’90s . . . with a 17-year-old Priscilla. Now this Gen Z girl must try to fit into an analog world. She’s got the fashion down, but everything else is baffling. What is “microfiche”? What’s with the casual racism and misogyny? And why does it feel like Priscilla is someone she could actually be . . . friends with? Sam's blast to the past has her finding the right romance in the wrong time while questioning everything she thought she knew about her mom . . . and herself. Will Sam figure out what she needs to do to fix things for her mom so that she can go back to a time she understands? Brimming with heart and humor, Maurene Goo’s time-travel romance asks big questions about what exactly one inherits and loses in the immigrant experience.
Age
14-17
Length
368 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Samantha Kang
Priscilla Kang
Grace Kang
Discussion points
What did you think about the main character's journey back in time? How would you feel if you were in their shoes?
Which part of the story was your favorite and why?
The book explores different times in history. Which time period would you like to visit and what would you do there?
How do the friendships in the book change or grow throughout the story? Have you ever had a friendship that changed over time?
What lessons do you think the main character learned by the end of the book? Are there any lessons you've learned from the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, give a brief intro about the era being visited in the story to provide context and spark curiosity.
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in the various historical settings, asking them what they would wear or what they might see.
While discussing the book, relate elements of the story to your child’s personal experiences to deepen their connection to the theme.
After finishing the book, engage in activities related to the time periods explored, like crafting, cooking, or visiting a museum, to enhance learning through experience.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of honesty
Explanation: Throughout the story, characters learn the consequences of lying and the benefits of being truthful to others.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by practicing honesty in their interactions with friends and family, building trust and integrity.
Example Lesson: Value of teamwork
Explanation: The characters in the book overcome obstacles by working together, emphasizing that cooperation leads to solving problems more effectively.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to collaborate with peers in school projects or team sports, fostering a spirit of unity and collective effort.
Example Lesson: Respect for differences
Explanation: The narrative showcases a variety of characters with different backgrounds and traits, teaching that diversity should be respected and valued.
Real-World Application: Kids learn to embrace and celebrate differences among their peers, which enhances social integration and mutual respect.
Example Lesson: Perseverance in the face of challenges
Explanation: The protagonist encounters various challenges, but persistent efforts lead to success, reinforcing the message that perseverance pays off.
Real-World Application: This lesson is crucial for children as they face academic and personal challenges, motivating them to persist and not give up easily.
Example Lesson: Importance of curiosity and learning
Explanation: Curiosity drives the characters to explore and learn new things, illustrating the joys and benefits of being inquisitive and eager to learn.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to explore new subjects and interests, which fuels their intellectual growth and lifelong learning.