Your Letter by Hyeon A Cho ~ a Review

by MK French

Sori Lee stood up for her friend, which led her to become the new target. Her friend transfers schools, so Sori decides to follow that example. She finds a letter taped to the bottom of her desk inviting her on a scavenger hunt. Following the clues to find the letter writer, she explores the people and places around the school and learns to trust in people again.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

July 2024; Ize Press; 979-8400901119
print (270 pages); manga

Kids will understand Sori's ambivalence at helping her friend when bullies ganged up on her. Of course, the bullies turned on her, and Sori explains that she regrets the outcome of her actions, but would have regretted it more if she remained silent and let it happen. She has an honorable core and feels awkward moving in the middle of the school year. That shyness makes other kids feel she's stuck up, leading to more shyness and second-guessing herself in school. Middle school is hard enough, so the first letter taped to the bottom of her desk is a huge hand in friendship that she seizes on. It's clever and informative, with a map of the school, drawings and names of the kids in class so she won't confuse them, and a little information about all of the teachers. It then sends her off to find more letters hidden in the school, drawing her out of the self-pity and anxiety that she wrapped around herself.

This is a great story for middle schoolers; middle school in Korea is structured slightly differently from US middle schools, but the emotions and potential for bullying are the same. There are some cultural explanations in the back which help explain some details within the story, too. This is a story of Sori learning to make friends and come out of her shell, but also that of the other students and friendship in general. I really liked seeing it all tie together, and that the letters brought the kids together, and Sori also got letters from the friend she defended, letting her know how much it meant to her that Sori was there. Doing the right thing is hard, but it led to more meaningful relationships and associations, which every middle schooler needs to have reinforced.

Buy Your Letter at Amazon

Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and a golden retriever.

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us. Get even more book news in your inbox, sign up for our newsletter today! Or Follow Girl Who Reads with Bloglovin. Girl Who Reads is an Amazon advertising affiliate; a small commission is earned when purchases are made at Amazon using any Amazon links on this site. Thank you for supporting Girl Who Reads.