Mismatch [Hardcover]

Lensey Namioka (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 14, 2006 | Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

Sue Hua just moved from racially diverse Seattle to a suburban white-bread town where she feels like the only Asian American for miles. Then she meets Andy, a handsome and passionate violin player who happens to be Asian American. Sue feels an instant attraction to Andy, and her white friends think they’re “made for each other”–after all, they both use chopsticks and eat a lot of rice, right? But there’s just one problem. Andy’s last name is Suzuki. And while that may mean nothing to the other students at Lakeview High, Sue knows that it presents a world of problems to her family.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7-10–When her Chinese-American parents move to an affluent suburb of Seattle, 15-year-old Sue Hua, a viola player, joins the school orchestra in hopes of finding a niche among her mostly white classmates. Although Sue wants them to consider her an American, she is frustrated that many think all Asians are members of a single ethnic group, without distinct cultural differences. She is attracted to Andy Suzuki, a talented violinist with disarming friendliness and concern, but she is wary of his Japanese ancestry. Her grandmother survived the Japanese invasion of China during World War II and has frightening memories of her abusive oppressors. Conversely, Andys father dislikes the Chinese because he was treated disrespectfully on a business trip to Beijing. When the orchestra makes a trip to Tokyo, the teens must adjust to their host families and confront issues of heritage, bigotry, and stereotypes. These are mature, sensitive teenagers whose mutual attraction fortifies them to question and move beyond the historical prejudice of their families. And yet, they respect their separate backgrounds and want their parents approval. Although occasionally didactic, this story tackles issues of assimilation into American society, preserving and respecting different cultures, and accepting the past. The theme of cultural vs. personal identity drives the plot, provides the conflict, and defines the characters. Sue and Andy experience believable adolescent bouts of insecurity, anticipation, jealousy, and affection as their mutual understanding grows. A story that is current, relevant, and upbeat.–Gerry Larson, Durham School of the Arts, NC
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 6-9. When Suzanne Hua, a Chinese American, and Andy Suzuki, a Japanese American, meet in their high-school orchestra, their white classmates see them as a good match (Aren't all Asians the same?). But at home, things are different: Suzanne's beloved grandmother can't forget the brutality of the Japanese who invaded China, and Andy's father is prejudiced about the "dirty, backward" Chinese. There's an overload of travelogue detail, and the story becomes very messagey at times, especially in the second half when the orchestra visits Tokyo. Still, the personal conflicts bring the diversity issues close. Andy's dad hopes his son will find his roots when he visits Japan; instead, Andy discovers he's more American than he realized. Then comes the question, Does Andy want to shake off his cultural heritage? It's a question Suzanne must face as well. The Romeo-and-Juliet romance will draw readers, as will the concerns Namioka raises. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (February 14, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385731833
• ISBN-13: 978-0385731836
• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 0.8 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,937,616 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars World Cultures Class, June 8, 2006

By 

Steven A. Sitz - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mismatch (Hardcover)

I use the book for my ninth grade World Cultures students to highlight cultural prejudice as well as modern Asian history & culture. They relate to it easily as it's told through the voices of American teenagers. Once they start, they always read through it faster than the schedule I have set for the class. A good read with great lessons!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Important Issue, Not the Best Writing, March 7, 2010

By 

Karly B. - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mismatch (Hardcover)

I read this book in middle school a few years ago and enjoyed it quite a bit. I happened across it again on a list of books that my Honors World Literature and Composition class could choose from to read outside of class. I decided to read it again and this time I was sorely disappointed. What had been a captivating read in middle school fell flat in high school. While the core issue is important to discuss, in my opinion the author did not portray some aspects of the book well at all.

For example, Sue's friends were constantly grouping Andy and Sue as coming from the same country because they are Asian-American. While it is difficult to tell Japanese, Chinese, Koreans, etc. apart, I find it difficult to believe that Sue's friends would be quite as ignorant about different cultures as they were. I attend a high school that has little diversity, but I know that a majority of the people would not make the mistake of grouping all Asians together as one culture. Also, as other reviewers mentioned, Sue's friends were very one-dimensional. They were mentioned a few times throughout the book and usually they only popped up to make cringe-worthy remarks about how all Asians are from the same country as well as to gossip about Sue and Andy's relationship.

Pertaining to the relationship itself, I found the lack of physical intimacy unrealistic. It seemed as though they would make better friends than a couple. There are a few physical moments, and several rather out of place moments where Andy found himself wanting to "kiss Sue hard." While I appreciate that the book wasn't overly crude, it seemed as though there should have been more chemistry between the two characters than there was.

Finally, as other raters have discussed, the balance of historical fact and interesting story line was tipped slightly in favor of historical fact in this book. There were several scenes where the overload of history made me lose interest. The facts themselves were interesting, but they should have been spread out more or relayed in a less text-book-like manner.

While this book has its flaws, it still sheds light on important issues. While not all Caucasians are as racially ignorant as they were portrayed in this book, there are many that need to be be aware of different Asian cultures. Lensey Namioka writes a good book for middle school students, and perhaps some high school students, but it is difficult for this book to penetrate anyone beyond high school.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars fact(s) or fiction?, December 14, 2007

By 

K-Kitten - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mismatch (Mass Market Paperback)

I didn't read up on any reviews before I bought this book. I happened upon it by chance in a bookstore, and after reading the brief summary on the back, found it interesting. However, it seemed the reading level was fairly low. It seems to be recommended for Grades 7-10, or 6-9, but even then it is a bit disappointing.

I agree with a reviewer earlier who said it seemed more like a collection of facts than an actual work of fiction. It is interesting to explain certain words, historic terms, etc. but to do them to such a degree as is presented here creates a didactic feeling and leaves the reader feeling a bit bored.

In addition, some of the aspects of this book seem greatly exaggerated. Sue's friends are COMPLETELY one-dimensional; I'm sure I'm not the only one who's experienced similar confusion about racial issues from friends, but in all honesty, I don't think most 15-year-olds are that dense about race, upper-class-prediominantly-white school or not. And Sue herself seems incredibly sensitive about her race from the beginning, which doesn't strike me as realistic.

On the whole I'd been rather excited to read this book, but it ended up being less of an intellectual challenge and was not that satisfying. Maybe those in middle school and early high school would appreciate it more, but any older than that is stretching it.