Born in 1956 to Japanese American parents who experienced childhood poverty, award-winning author Cynthia Kadohata grew up in the Chicago area, navigating her own set of challenges, including dropping out of high school. She candidly reflects: “I don’t regret it and learned many things, the hard way for sure.”
Kadohata’s willingness to openly share her struggles growing up makes her a relatable role model to young Americans, especially Asian Americans who defy the model minority stereotype. Her works are unique for centering Asian American protagonists and culturally relevant insights about growing up Asian American in both contemporary and historical contexts.
Kadohata’s newest novel, Under the Fading Sky, is arguably her most provocative work. Geared toward readers in grades 9-12, it addresses a relatively taboo topic: Asian American adolescent addiction as it intersects with criminal activity and mental health crises.
Readers are introduced to the first-person narrator Elijah Jensen, a 16-year-old mixed-race Asian American adolescent male. Elijah’s White American father and Japanese American mother represent a stereotypical heterosexual couple; however, the dynamics of their heteronormative and interracial relationship are relatively muted throughout. Moreover, most of the major and minor characters in this text are Asian American teenage boys.
On the surface, Elijah’s life appears to be normal, at least by middle-class suburban standards. Typical of Kadohata’s authorial style, she depicts an authentic portrait of American-style heteronormative teenage angst, especially from the perspectives of Asian American adolescent boys whose conversations include topics as wide-ranging as AI, girls, and rants about how boring school is for them, among others. Throughout, Kadohata convincingly narrates complex inner dialogue and stream-of-consciousness on topics both mundane and serious.
However, what initially starts as Elijah’s casual experimentation with vaping leads to multiple crises. He becomes more forgetful, impulsive, paranoid, and violent. As his life spirals out of control, minor accidents and serious tragedies occur.
Under the Fading Sky will likely resonate with adolescents of all backgrounds who are grappling with addiction, have friends who are addicted to illegal drugs, or both. Many Asian American teenagers will likely appreciate how Kadohata weaves in culturally relevant examples and familial dynamics. Young readers of color who have been forced into counseling and rehab may especially resonate with the pointed critiques of these white-dominated systems as sites of contradiction, ineffectiveness, and racial oppression.
While not extreme by any means, Under the Fading Sky contains a good share of graphic and violent language. Specific scenes might be upsetting to some readers who have directly experienced or witnessed bullying, death, mental-health challenges, rape, sexual exploitation, and other traumatic topics that are often not actively (or proactively) discussed at home or school.
Under the Fading Sky could change minds and save lives. For example, the core lessons that Kadohata raises throughout could be used as discussion points for schools and other institutions to improve drug-prevention efforts and existing mental-health programs for Asian Americans and other adolescents. However, drawing on the key lessons from this book about the pitfalls of adult-specific assumptions and judgments about teenagers, of which many are at best problematic or simplistic, youth-led conversations could best support meaningful dialogue if this specific text is used for broader educational purposes. Otherwise, for any aficionado of Asian American literature for children and youth, this book is also worthy of a recreational read without any didactic imperative.
Rachel Endo is an award-winning educator, leader, and scholar who is currently based in the Tacoma area. She was born and raised in Nebraska and hails from a multi-generational Nikkei family. A first-generation college student, she graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha with honors, where she also earned her MA in Education and MPA in Public Management . She holds a PhD in Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. To learn more, including how to contact her directly, visit her website at: www.rachelendo.com
