Chloe Cho is tired of being identified by Asian stereotypes, and her parents don’t seem interested in their Asian ancestry. However, when a Korean American woman becomes Chloe's teacher, she begins to explore her family history. This project teaches Chloe that she's actually not from Korea...

This book would engage students who are interested in science fiction and shocking twists. This would also be an excellent read aloud, and could be followed by discussions about why stereotypes should be avoided. Also, a project about genealogy could also coincide with this book. ( )

UNIDENTIFIED SUBURBAN OBJECT by Mike Jung combines satire with a serious examination of racial stereotypes, family connections, and friendship.
Chloe Cho is frustrated by being the token minority in her all-white town. Her parents don’t seem interested in their asian ancestry. When a Korean American teacher moves to town, Chloe immediately connects with her. However when Chloe explores her family history as part of a class project, she finds unexpected results.
Librarians will find that the combination of humor and serious social themes will appeal to middle grade youth. The authentic storyline and engaging twist will keep readers engaged. While the science fiction element adds an unusual element, the book will primarily be a draw for readers of contemporary, realistic fiction.
To learn more about the author, go to https://captainstupendous.wordpress.com/.
Published by Scholastic on April 26, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher. ( )