Necessary Roughness
Necessary Roughness by Marie G. Lee, published by HarperCollins on January 3, 1998, is a 240-page work in English that explores the challenges faced by a young Asian American boy. Chan Kim’s life takes a turn when his family relocates from Los Angeles to a small town in Minnesota, where he grapples with feelings of isolation as the only Asian family in the community. As he navigates high school and the local football culture, Chan confronts the complexities of identity and belonging.
In this narrative, readers will find a poignant examination of social themes such as prejudice and racism, as well as the impact of sports on personal growth. Chan’s journey is marked by his efforts to fit in and understand his Korean heritage while engaging with the sport of football. The story delves into the necessary roughness of both the game and the social dynamics he encounters, offering insights into the experiences of Asian Americans in a predominantly white setting.
Official synopsis Publisher
Chan Kim has never felt like an outsider in his life. That is, not until his family moves from L.A. to a tiny town in Minnesota–Land of 10,000 Lakes–and probably 10,000 hicks,too. The Kims are the only Asian family in town, and when Chan and his twin sister, Young, attend high school, it’s a blond-haired, blue-eyed whiteout.
Chan throws himself into the only game in town–football–and the necessary roughness required to make a player. On the field it means “justifiable violence,” but as Chan is about to discover, off the field it’s a whole different ballgame . . .Chan Jung Kim has always been popular. But that was when he lived in L.A. and was the star of his soccer team. Now his family’s moved—to a tiny town in Minnesota, where football’s the name of the game and nobody has ever seen an Asian American family before. Desperate to fit in, Chan throws himself into the game—but he feels like an outsider. For the first time in his life, he finds himself thinking about what it really means to be Korean—and what is really important. By turns gripping, painful, funny, and illuminating, Necessary Roughness introduces a major new talent and a fresh young voice to the Harper list.
1997 Best Books for the Teen Age (NY Public Library)
1998 Best Books for Young Adults (ALA)Chan Jung Kim has always been popular. But that was when he lived in L.A. and was the star of his soccer team. Now his family’s moved—to a tiny town in Minnesota, where football’s the name of the game and nobody has ever seen an Asian American family before. Desperate to fit in, Chan throws himself into the game—but he feels like an outsider. For the first time in his life, he finds himself thinking about what it really means to be Korean—and what is really important. By turns gripping, painful, funny, and illuminating, Necessary Roughness introduces a major new talent and a fresh young voice to the Harper list.
1997 Best Books for the Teen Age (NY Public Library)
1998 Best Books for Young Adults (ALA)
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