Ex Marks the Spot by Gloria Chao, 384 pages. Penguin Young Readers Group (Penguin Random House), 2024. $13.
Language: R (40 swears); Mature Content: PG (mild sexual innuendos, two on-page kisses); Violence: G (one maybe Asian slur)
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: MANY
The only daughter of a Taiwanese immigrant single mom, 18yo Gemma Sun is used to scraping by and not quite fitting in, in the Boston-area, Massachusetts. However, there is a possibility that might all change, with the appearance of her recently deceased grandfather's will. Thus Gemma starts on a globe-trotting treasure hunt in Taiwan on a student trip in a race against time to solve her grandfather's puzzles before she has to leave and before her college tuition is due.
I really liked this adventure rom-com. At first, Gemma was stringent and a little unlikeable, but she grew on me. I will admit, the puzzles were a little over my head, but I was just happy to be along for the ride. It was fun to see her character grow, to get a taste for a new (to me) place, and to reflect on the lasting impact our family & heritage have on our lives. The biggest problem will be the language, but no glaring issues with any mature content or violence.
Kiera Beddes, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes
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