Imposter Syndrome & Other Confessions of Alejandra Kim
by Patricia Park
The award-winning author of Re Jane makes her young adult debut in a humorous and heartfelt novel about a teen caught between two worlds: Quaker Oats Prep, with its performative wokeness and identity politics; and Jackson Heights, Queens: a working class neighborhood where acting “PC” means you’re fake. Ale’s just trying to get through the day without feeling like an imposter in either of her worlds.
Release Date: February 21, 2023, ages 13+
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Alejandra Kim doesn’t feel like she belongs anywhere. At her wealthy Manhattan high school, her súper Spanish name and súper Korean face do not compute to her mostly white “woke” classmates and teachers. In her Jackson Heights neighborhood, she’s not Latinx enough. Even at home, Ale feels unwelcome. And things at home have only gotten worse since Papi’s body was discovered on the subway tracks.
Ale wants nothing more than to escape the city for the wide-open spaces of the prestigious Wyder College. But when a microaggression at school thrusts Ale into the spotlight—and into a discussion she didn’t ask for—Ale must discover what is means to carve out a space for yourself to belong.
Patricia Park’s coming-of-age novel about a multicultural teen caught between worlds, and the future she is building for herself, is an incisive, laugh-out-loud, provocative read.
“Ale is a thoroughly appealing protagonist, managing to be wry and vulnerable at once.”
“Brimming with insights while being un-put-downable and just plain fun. Simply brilliant!”
“Patricia Park walks a high wire in her dazzling YA debut, deftly weaving together themes of identity and authenticity, trauma and healing while casting an unflinching gaze at the minefield of performative wokism and cancel culture. The result is a coming of age story that is deep, real and funny AF”
“Hilarious, whip-smart, & refreshingly honest—this novel is simply brilliant.”
“I absolutely LOVED this book....Patricia Park’s Alejandra will give readers the courage to define the true definition of “imposter,” and to smash those definitions that no longer serve us. I can’t wait for teens everywhere to devour this book! ”
“Imposter Syndrome is funny and moving, wonderfully earnest and slyly satirical, and an absolute pleasure to read. In its aspiring heroine, Alejandra Kim, Patricia Park has created an engaging, charming young woman you’ll be rooting for. ”
“Park’s work paints an educational but entertaining portrait of what it is like to be a person of color in today’s world. VERDICT Libraries can’t go wrong with adding this timely book to their collection.”
“The joys and travails of Alejandra Kim at “Quaker Oats Prep” made me laugh one moment and cry the next. This novel is a love letter to the scrappy corners of immigrant New York as well as to all the often contradictory and confusing selves we are made of as we strive to grow and become the person we really are. I loved this novel!”
“Authentically funny, honest and real portrayal of the fight to be seen. Simply magnificent.”
