Discrimination: Racial Insensitivity/Racism,Discrimination: Sexism,Discrimination: Xenophobia,Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco: Underage Use,Language: Racial or Ethnic Epithet/Slur,Sexual Content: Contact Between Adult and Minor,Violence: Sexual Assault/Rape
Sixteen-year-old Ruby Chan considers herself a modern, independent American girl. But when her secret relationship with a white boy implodes--and then is revealed to her very traditional Chinese parents--she's in a tough spot. Horrified that Ruby's reputation is at risk, her parents hire a matchmaker to find her a Chinese husband. Ruby is determined to foil their plans. But how?
Meanwhile, Ruby meets the nineteen-year-old film star Anna May Wong, one of her neighbors in LA's Chinatown. The girls quickly strike up a friendship. Anna May defies Chinese convention by working as an actress on the silver screen, and she scoffs at white people's assumptions about her. If she can forge her own path, surely Ruby can too.
Not everything is as it seems, though. Danger and betrayal lurk amidst the new possibilities. To build the life she wants, Ruby will have to contend with how others see her--and decide if she's ready to truly see herself.
Content note. Note on terminology. Â Author's note. Discussion questions.
Topics Family life. Friendship. Actors and actresses. Chinese Americans. Twentieth-century history of Hollywood (Los Angeles, California). Prejudice and racism.
Trim Size 5 1/2" x 8 1/4"
JLG Span Spring
Language English
Rights type Print
Publication date 2025-03-03
JLG Release Date May 2025
Minimum grade 9
Maximum grade 12
Reading level High
Format Print
History - High (Grades 9 & Up)
History High
History - High (Grades 9 & Up)
For Grades 9 & Up
This collection features nonfiction and historical fiction titles that bring past events, eras, and influential figures to life through compelling storytelling. Selections span a mix of story-driven history and immersive historical fiction, offering engaging ways for teens to explore how the past shapes the present. Some selections are written for adults but are thoughtfully chosen for their relevance and appeal to teen readers.
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