For the first time, Chesil's young adult novel The Color of the Sky is the Shape of the Heart has been translated into English. This now gives the book a wider audience, introducing teenagers from all over the world to Japanese-born Korean teen Ginny, a girl who just can't seem to fit in no matter what country she lives in.
The book opens in Oregon, the state where Ginny has been sent to live with a host mother. Judging by her impending suspension from school, it's clear that Ginny is not a good student and feels like an outcast. The same thing happened to her at her school in Hawaii. And something happened to her in Japan that caused her to leave that country for a new one.
Slowly, Ginny's past life is revealed - a girl of Korean descent living in Japan and being made to feel like "the other". No matter what school she goes to - Japanese or Korean - there's always some barrier that prevents her from fitting in with her classmates. And Ginny soon learns that when North Korea is the enemy, the world outside of Ginny's school doesn't want her either. Ginny's frustration and anger all come to a head with an incident involving portraits of the North Korean leaders.
Based on the author's own experience growing up as a Zainichi Korean, this novel tells a complex story about a girl coming to terms with prejudice and injustice, and searching for a place to belong.
The Color of the Sky is the Shape of the Heart is published by Soho Teen and is available to purchase now. I received a free e-ARC.
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