Publishers Weekly
★ 03/06/2023
Sixteen-year-old Korean American Samantha Kang must figure out how to return to her own time after a ride-share app inexplicably transports the Gen Z teen to 1995 in this reflective Back to the Future–flavored jaunt by Goo (Somewhere Only We Know). Student politics in Sam’s racially diverse Los Angeles high school are a far cry from what they were when her mother, Priscilla, attended it. Though Priscilla is now a successful lawyer, she spent much of her high school career working long hours at the family dry cleaner while trying to fit in with her popular white classmates. Sam and Priscilla’s differing values cause tension between them, and things become further strained when Sam’s beloved grandmother, Halmoni—with whom Priscilla has a contentious relationship—falls ill. After an emotional blowout with her mom results in Sam downloading a ride-share app called Throwback Rides, the app sends her back to 1995, where she meets teenage Priscilla. Via sharp-witted humor and multidimensional characters, Goo crafts a layered, intergenerational telling of compassion and empathy that, rather than excusing the actions that drove a wedge between Sam and Priscilla, provides context that helps Sam make peace with their relationship. Ages 14–up. Agent: Faye Bender, Book Group. (Apr.)
From the Publisher
An ABA April 2023 Kids’ Indie Next Pick
A Junior Library Guild Selection
2024 Rise Honoree
Amazon Best YA Books of 2023
Kirkus Best YA Books of 2023
Barnes & Noble Most Anticipated Read
Seventeen Book Club Pick
Book Riot Great Books to Read in 2023
Boston Globe Best New Books of 2023
Epic Reads Most Anticipated
Goodreads Top Reader-Recommended Young Adult Books
PopSugar Best YA Books of 2023
“Throwback takes powerful turns that highlight the author’s skill with emotional material, too . . . I knew that [Throwback] would make me laugh out loud. But I was pleasantly surprised to find myself weeping by the book’s close, so moved by Goo’s story.” —San Francisco Chronicle
“Filled with the vibes of the 1990s, without shying away from some of the problems of the era, Throwback is a complete joy.” —Buzzfeed
“A poignant reflection on the immigrant experience and understanding one’s parents, Goo’s trippy adventure is sure to warm the hearts of readers.” —PopSugar
“Throwback is both nostalgia bait for 90s kids and a charming coming-of-age story about how far we’ve all come since then.” —Paste Magazine
“With a hauntingly hilarious premise—getting flung back in time to be besties with your mean girl mom in high school—Throwback is bright, warm and wholly engrossing.” —Mary H.K. Choi, New York Times bestselling author
“I inhaled this book in a single sitting, lost in the magic of this tale of mothers and daughters and the weight of generational divides.” —Marie Lu, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Skyhunter
“A tour de force from Maurene Goo, and a book I know I’ll be returning to again and again.” —Morgan Matson, New York Times bestselling author of Save the Date
“With all the humor and heart that are Maurene Goo’s specialty, Throwback is the fresh, funny, yet profoundly thoughtful time travel story you didn't know you needed—but trust me, you definitely do.” —Veronica Roth, New York Times bestselling author of Divergent and Chosen Ones
“Inventive, fun and fresh, Throwback explores the mysteries of destiny, identity, and more than one kind of love.” —Rebecca Stead, Newbery Award medalist and bestselling author of When You Reach Me
“Throwback is as fun and feel-good as your favorite ’90s teen flick but wrapped up in a beautifully written and poignant story of mothers, daughters, the immigrant experience, and the ‘American dream.’” —Courtney Summers, New York Times bestselling author of I'm the Girl and Sadie
“Throwback is one of those rare books that manages to unearth deep truths with the lightest of touches.” —Nicola Yoon, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Instructions for Dancing
★ “Goo’s masterful storytelling examines the complex nature of familial relationships. A deft, delightful, and emotionally complex examination of intergenerational relationships.” —Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
★ “Via sharp-witted humor and multidimensional characters, Goo crafts a layered, intergenerational telling of compassion and empathy.” —Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
“Sit back and enjoy the ride because Goo fills the story with a range of emotions and universal experiences . . . a delightfully adventurous story.” —School Library Connection, Recommended Review
“Perfect for those looking for a lighthearted read, the story also introduces plenty of Korean cultural elements into a tale of family relationships and intergenerational connections.” —Horn Book
“In an arrestingly charming story with plenty of heart, Goo expertly takes readers on a mother-daughter relationship journey . . . the magical time-travel element fits seamlessly into a narrative that is ultimately about generational differences and seeking common ground.” —Booklist
“Goo’s characters are wonderfully drawn, and she explores the challenges and joys of intergenerational relationships with empathy and heart.’” —BookPage
“Charming, fun story where a teen goes back to 1995 to help her then-teen mother and finds not only herself but her mother in the process.” —YA Book Central
“A truly fantastic read. Get your copy ASAP!” —Pine Reads Review
“Much more than a Back to the Future story, Throwback is a story about mothers, daughters, the immigrant experience, high school, and finding your dreams.” —Beth Seufer Buss, Bookmarks, Winston-Salem, NC
Kirkus Reviews
★ 2023-01-12
Goo takes readers on a journey examining the impacts of Korean American heritage and parental expectations on mother-daughter relationships.
Sixteen-year-old Samantha Kang doesn’t understand her perfectly poised mother’s desire to conform to wealthy White American society. Likewise, Priscilla Kang doesn’t understand her daughter’s choice of boyfriend or lack of ambition. When Halmoni, Sam’s beloved maternal grandmother, falls ill, intense feelings bubble up, leading to family turmoil. Sam downloads Throwback Rides, a magical ride-share app that drops her off in 1995, where she must help teenage Priscilla’s all-American dream come true if she hopes to return to the present before her phone battery dies. Goo’s masterful storytelling examines the complex nature of familial relationships: As Sam observes the daily microaggressions Asian students face at school and the tense relationship between Priscilla and Halmoni, each still dealing with residual grief following Priscilla’s father’s death, she begins to empathize and understand the person her mother becomes. The strength of this realization lies not in excusing her mother’s behavior but compassionately understanding the ongoing fallout of trauma. Sam navigates the delicate balance between the ways parents’ dreams for their children can be at odds with what children wish for themselves. The story maintains lightness as Sam attempts to make her mom homecoming queen, falls for a football player in the ’90s, and tries her best to fit into an era at odds with her progressive 21st-century values.
A deft, delightful, and emotionally complex examination of intergenerational relationships. (Fiction. 14-18)
