The Fold

Reader reviewed by Suzanne

It was very hard to keep focus on this book. It didnt really have a good storyline, and even though in the end Joyce figured out what was right in the end, it was still hard to keep reading. One thing that was true about the story was how much modern girls think about their appearance. Unfortunately it's very important to look like everyone else out there. Thank goodness Joyce figured out how important it is to be yourself. And not without help from friends and family did she come to this conclusion. OK book.

Reader reviewed by *Samantha*

The Fold by An Na is the story of Joyce Park and her struggle with self image, love, and family. The last day of her junior year Joyce finds the courage to ask her mega-crush, John Ford Kang, to sign her yearbook. He does sign, but he signs it too the wrong girl, causing Joyce to question herself and if she will ever be beautiful enough to be noticed by John Ford Kang. Already being the middle child with the sister, Helen, which she is always being compared too and never lives up to that expectation, and the boy, Joyce has trouble trying to keep her head above water at home. Just when her questioning begins, her plastic-surgery-crazed aunt hits the lottery and decides to help each member of the family better themselves. Offering Joyce the chance to get The Fold, a surgery to alter her Asian eyes, Joyce is then sent into a tailspin trying to decide if she wants the surgery or not. Helen cant believe she would even consider it, her best friend Gina cant believe she wouldnt jump at the chance for free surgery, and Joyce hates pain. But the only thing she knows is that she wants John Ford Kang to notice her, to be her boyfriend, no matter what it takes to do so. The question becomes, would she consider surgery without knowing for sure that he will notice her? Or will she make him notice her for who she is?

It was a little hard to get into at first, but after the first couple of chapters it was a pretty good story. Its something I wish I had read in high school, because almost every high school-er goes through the would he notice me if I was prettier? kind of situation. The stories all coincide with one another and eventually all make sense; there is the semi-shocking, but kind of obvious twist with her sister Helen, Ginas part in everything, the boy next door (literally), the boy of her dreams (there was always that one guy), and the mean girl (we all knew those). And yes, every time they talked about John Ford Kang, they either said the entire name or called him JFK, neither of which I particularly cared for. The ending seemed a bit unsatisfying, at least to me, but overall the story was a good one to tell. Although I did never figure out exactly with The Fold was, or how it changed someones face, but thats just me (and yes, I did check Wikipedia, but I still have no idea the difference)!

Reader reviewed by Anna

Have you ever been subconscious about the way you looked?  What if you could change that feature?  Would you do it?

Joyce is your average Asian-American girl.  She doesn't give her looks much thought until her aunt offers to pay for cosmetic surgery to make her eyes look more American. 

This book is definitely origianal.  I didn't see it coming.  It had a good message and an intriguing plot.  I definitely look forward to reading another book by An Na. :)  I recommend this book to any self-conscious teen.