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PARACHUTES
FOUR STARRED REVIEWS!
National Bestseller
Speak enters the world of Gossip Girl in this modern immigrant story from New York Times bestselling author Kelly Yang about two girls navigating wealth, power, friendship, and trauma.
They’re called parachutes: teenagers dropped off to live in private homes and study in the United States while their wealthy parents remain in Asia. Claire Wang never thought she’d be one of them, until her parents pluck her from her privileged life in Shanghai and enroll her at a high school in California.
Suddenly she finds herself living in a stranger’s house, with no one to tell her what to do for the first time in her life. She soon embraces her newfound freedom, especially when the hottest and most eligible parachute, Jay, asks her out.
Dani De La Cruz, Claire’s new host sister, couldn’t be less thrilled that her mom rented out a room to Claire. An academic and debate team star, Dani is determined to earn her way into Yale, even if it means competing with privileged kids who are buying their way to the top. But Dani’s game plan veers unexpectedly off course when her debate coach starts working with her privately.
As they steer their own distinct paths, Dani and Claire keep crashing into one another, setting a course that will change their lives forever.
News
Awards & Recognition
Best Book of the Year | Bank Street Center for Children's Literature
Best Teen Book of the Year | Parents Magazine
2022 Texas Young Adult TAYSHAS Book
2020 Project Lit Selection Young Adult
BEST SUMMER READ 2020 | Publisher's Weekly
INDIE NEXT LIST SUMMER 2020 TITLE | American Booksellers Association
Reviews
"An unforgettable read. Gripping...empowering...compelling. Yang makes a fierce entrance into YA."
-- ALA Booklist, starred review
"This is a powerful exploration of race, class, and power through multiple lenses, the most powerful being sexual harassment and rape. An engrossing read that will spark discussions on a wide range of issues."
--School Library Journal, starred review
"This is a multifaceted read, by turns poignant, fun, and exultant in its celebration of the multitudinous experiences and strength inherent in diasporic identity."
--Publisher's Weekly, starred review
“Parachutes is sure to establish Kelly Yang as one of YA’s most vital new voices."
--BookPage, starred review
"Yang has created two distinct and vibrant voices that shimmer with passion for both justice and independence."
--Horn Book
“Parachutes is a force. As fast-paced as it is powerful, its story of immigration, social class, and rape culture calls out the damaging consequences of privilege in ways that will make readers want to speak up and take action.”
--Randy Ribay, National Book Award finalist and author of Patron Saints of Nothing
“Parachutes is not just a searing drama that explores the lives of Asians in America, it’s a courageous, empowering story about how high women can soar when they lift each other up.”
--Stacey Lee, award-winning author of The Downstairs Girl
