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.
____________________________________________

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.

Making Faces, Kevin Aucoin

Aucoin, Kevyn. (1999).
Making Faces.
New York: Little, Brown and Company.
978-0316286855
Genre: Non-Fiction

Make-up artist to the stars, Kevin Aucoin offers techniques and instruction for cosmetic application.
________________________________________

Imagine going to prom and looking like Marlene Dietrich or Marilyn Monroe? Aucoin gives readers the option as he transform many popular entertainers (Drew Barrymore, Gwenyth Paltrow, Demi Moore, etc) into iconic figures via makeup and hair design. Aucoin promotes individual beauty and offers techniques for readers to achieve their own special look. The first section introduces techniques and basic information as far as skin types, foundation, eyeliner, etc. The most intriguing section features “styles” for readers to imitate: the Siren, the Vamp, the Diva as well as many others. Step by step instructions as well as large clear images make Aucoin’s book a must for those who want to transform themselves for prom.

North of Beautiful, Justina Chen Headley

Headley, Justina Chen (2009)
North of Beautiful
New York : Little, Brown.
9780316025058
Genre: Realistic Fiction

Terra, a sensitive, artistic senior born with a facial port-wine stain, struggles with issues of inner and outer beauty with the help of her Goth classmate, Jacob.
________________________________________
Terra Cooper is a sixteen-years-old and in her final semester of high school. She is a tall and slender platinum blonde with an almost perfect body. Only two things ruin Terra’s happiness: a facial birthmark on her cheek and a verbally abusive father who is a failed cartographer. Terra has undergone several unsuccessful surgeries to remove the birthmark and continues to live in the shadow of her father’s control and contempt. Her life changes when she and her mother are involved in a minor traffic accident; Terra meets Jacob, a self-assured Asian Goth adoptee with a cleft lip. Terra and Jacob’s mothers become friends as do Terra and Jacob. When Jacob and his mother decide to travel to China to locate his birth mother, Terra and her mom decide to go, too. The journey becomes an opportunity for Terra (and her mom) to define herself outside of Terra’s father’s domineering perspective. The trip also gives them the confidence; they rethink their past and establish goals for the future. I definitely recommend this book for its poignant rich symbolism; the book confidently challenges assumptions about beauty and love. Sarah Dessen readers looking for a new author will not be disappointed.