Half and Half

Author: Lensey Namioka

First line: "Your form isn't complete, Fiona," said the recreations director.

Why you should read this book: Fiona Cheng, born to a Scottish-American mother and Chinese-American father, isn't sure what box to check for race, and worse yet, she isn't sure how to be her authentic sense and please both sides of her family. Things come to a head when both sets of grandparents show up for a big cultural festival, with her Scottish side wanting her to dance in a kilt at the same time that the Chinese side expects her make an appearance in a gorgeous hand-made silk outfit. Fiona must learn that her identity is comprised of many parts, and that her family only wants her to be herself.

Why you shouldn't read this book: You've ever accidentally dyed your hair to look like a Halloween wig.