Mismatch (Hardcover)

~ Lensey Namioka (Author)

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

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (February 14, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385731833
• ISBN-13: 978-0385731836
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #187,353 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #67 in

  Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Multicultural Stories > Asian & Asian American

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)

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:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing..., November 16, 2006

By	a K-8 librarian (Surprise, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mismatch (Library Binding)

I have read and enjoyed Lensey Namioka's series about the Yang family. This is the first of her YA novels I have read, and I'm sad to say I couldn't get into it. There are many places where the presenting of historical and/or cultural information overwhelms the plot, almost giving a nonfiction impression.

The romance between the main characters progresses from the first "I like him/her" all the way to...touching hands a few times and one hug. I certainly wouldn't expect to find anything explicit, but it seems to me that most YA readers wouldn't understand why such a chaste couple calls themselves boyfriend and girlfriend. Occasional hugs and some kisses now and then would come closer to reality for most high school readers.

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.