The Fold, An Na

Na, An (2008).
The Fold
New York: Putnam Juvenile
978-0399242762
Genre: Realistic Fiction

Korean-American high school student Joyce Kim feels like a nonentity compared to her beautiful older sister, and when her aunt offers to pay for plastic surgery on her eyes, she jumps at the chance, thinking it will change her life for the better.
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Sixteen-year-old Joyce hates feeling inadequate next to her perfect, older sister Helen. Joyce has pimples, chubby knees and no sense of style. Her plan is to work out and transform herself so that JFK (John Ford Kang) will notice her and not confuse her with her ugly Korean lab partner ever again. When Joyce’s wealthy aunt Gomo (who she refers to as Michael because of all of her plastic surgery) wins the lottery, Joyce’s solution seems tangible. Aunt Gomo offers each family member a gift to improve themselves (Father-lifts, mother-tattooed eyebrows, brother-pills to grow taller, and sister-dating service); Aunt Gomo offers to pay for Joyce to have surgery to get a fold in her eyelids. As each member suffers from their improvement, Joyce begins to evaluate her opportunity. Na introduces many cultural values and explores issues of ethnic identity and beauty with respect to Korean vs. Western standards. Joyce’s best friend offers comic relief while also representing those Korean Americans who lack the financial stability to afford the same options as Joyce, the bumbling, likeable Everygirl. As Joyce researches surgery and tries out the new look with cosmetic glue, she loses sight of her true friendships and gains the attention of JFK, if only momentarily. It is her resented, perfect sister Helen- the closeted and soon to be outed lesbian- who helps Joyce recognize that inner strength, confidence and beauty do not exist as a result of surgery. Poignant, insightful and extremely accessible to all-regardless of ethnic origin.