Secondhand World - Paperback

Secondhand World by Katherine Min

Isadora Myung Hee Sohn--Isa--has just spent ninety-five days in a pediatric burn unit in Albany, New York, recovering from the fire that burned her house and killed her parents. Moving back in time, Secondhand World casts a devastating spell, revealing the circumstances that led to the fire.

Growing up the daughter of Korean-born parents, Isa is bullied by American classmates and barely noticed at home. Seeking the company of another outsider, Isa falls in love with Hero, an albino boy. But what starts out as a small teenage rebellion sets in motion a series of events and revelations Isa never could have foreseen.

About This Literary Novel

Published by Knopf Publishing Group in February 2008, Secondhand World explores themes of cultural identity, family dynamics, and adolescent rebellion through the lens of a Korean American teenager's experience. Katherine Min crafts a narrative that moves backward through time, unraveling the tragic circumstances that shaped Isa's life.

This paperback edition presents a story of isolation and connection, examining how first love and teenage defiance intersect with immigrant family expectations. The novel addresses the complexities of growing up between two cultures while navigating the universal challenges of adolescence.