Talent Night

by Jean Davies Okimoto

Overview

Rodney Suyama has two impossible dreams... to be a rap star and to go out with gorgeous Ivy Ramos. Set in the nineties at the dawn of rap, a witty and determined young man gets in touch with his past while taking control of his future in this romantic, poignant and hilarious novel by Jean Davies Okimoto. "A celebration of diversity." -Signal "A story of ethnic pride, first love and determination to overcome stereotypes. Okimoto's talents give this book the same wide appeal as her earlier titles Jason's Women and Molly By Any Other Name." -School Library Journal ". . . humor and empathy that will engage the reader." -The ALAN Review

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780982316795
Publisher:	Endicott & Hugh Books
Publication date:	07/30/2011
Pages:	148
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.34(d)
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

Editorial Reviews

Rodney Suyama, 17, has two goals: to be the first Asian rap star and to win the affection of his classmate Ivy Ramos. But she already has a boyfriend-the school's football hero. And Rodney's sister, Suzanne, a college sophomore, discourages his musical ambitions (``You gotta be black. They're the only guys that are cool rappers,'' she tells him). Then a paired assignment ignites a promising friendship with Ivy. On the home front, Rodney and Suzanne join forces to convince an estranged great-uncle that they've retained their Japanese heritage; an impending visit will decide if the siblings will receive his inheritance. Okimoto (My Mother Is Not Married to My Father) portrays varying degrees of racism-from a hurtful slur to the grievous U.S. internment camps of WWII. The dialogue and Rodney's bouncy first-person narration include both contemporary teenage lingo and Japanese vocabulary. Although the plot is essentially slim, it's strengthened by Rodney's wit, determination and sunny outlook. Ages 12-up. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Gr 7-10-A fast-paced, humorous story of ethnic pride, first love, and determination to overcome stereotypes. Senior Rodney Suyama (he's half-Polish, half-Japanese) has two goals: to become a famous Asian-American rap star and to date beautiful Ivy Ramos. Talent Night at his high school in Seattle and a possible inheritance from his Japanese uncle from California may give him the chance to realize his first dream. In order to receive cash from their uncle, however, Rodney and his sister Suzanne must convince the stuffy, narrow-minded older man that they have an interest in their Japanese heritage. Rodney must also overcome the stereotype that only Blacks can be rap singers. Winning Ivy (she's half-Black, half-Filipino) away from the star football player proves to be a challenge. When the two are assigned a school project together, a friendship grows and Ivy encourages Rodney's musical goal, eventually becoming part of his Talent Night act. References to local landmarks will please Seattle readers, but Okimoto's talents as a contemporary YA writer gives this book the same wide appeal as her earlier titles, Jason's Women (Little, 1986) and Molly by Any Other Name (Scholastic, 1990; o.p.).-Judy R. Johnston, Auburn High School, WA

School Library Journal