Dream, Annie, Dream

As the daughter of immigrants who came to America for a better life, Annie Inoue was raised to dream big. And at the start of seventh grade, she’s channeling that irrepressible hope into becoming the lead in her school play.

So when Annie lands an impressive role in the production of The King and I, she’s thrilled . . . until she starts to hear grumbles from her mostly white classmates that she only got the part because it’s an Asian play with Asian characters. Is this all people see when they see her? Is this the only kind of success they’ll let her have—one that they can tear down or use race to belittle?

Disheartened but determined, Annie channels her hurt into a new dream: showing everyone what she’s made of.

Waka T. Brown, author of While I Was Away, delivers an uplifting coming-of-age story about a Japanese American girl’s fight to find her voice and make space for herself in a world that claims to celebrate everyone’s differences but doesn’t always follow through.

But how do you chase your dreams when the world keeps telling you which dreams you’re allowed to have?

• Identity and Belonging: Twelve-year-old Annie Inoue loves theater, but when she lands a role in The King and I, she’s forced to confront whether people only see her as “Asian” instead of just... Annie.
• Complex Friendship Struggles: Navigating the challenges of seventh grade is even harder when Annie isn’t sure she can count on her best friend anymore, leading to a painful confrontation about loyalty and trust.
• AAPI Coming-of-Age Story: A powerful look at the microaggressions and racism a Japanese American girl faces in a predominantly white school, and her fight to rise above prejudice.
• Authentic 1980s Setting: From Aqua Net hairspray to life before the internet, this story is a perfect throwback for parents and a fascinating look into the past for young readers.