Parachutes

Two unlikely teenagers become housemates – Claire who is parachuted into a Southern California private school by her wealthy Shanghai family and Dani a scholarship student who helps her mother clean houses—when Dani’s mom accepts Claire as a boarding student. Despite their cultural and socioeconomic differences, the two bond over the shared experiences of sexual assault and harassment. Told in alternating chapters by the two girls, the novel explores racism, socioeconomic status, sexual assault, and speaking one’s truth, and is suitable as an independent choice for mature senior students, with teacher-supported discussions. Social considerations noted; teacher preview required to gauge maturity of students.