Continental Drifter

Continental Drifter, by Kathy MacLeod, is a graphic novel memoir about the author's childhood where she navigates two different worlds. With a Thai mother and an American father, Kathy feels like she doesn't quite fit in with the other kids in her Bangkok neighbourhood. She dreams of her family's annual trip to Maine, where she looks forward to attending a summer camp and visiting her American relatives. However, things don't go as planned and Kathy must try to discover where she belongs.

This book explores identity, as Kathy feels like she is part of two different worlds, while also feeling adrift in both of them. While Kathy has high hopes for her summer camp experience in terms of connecting with other teens, she quickly feels othered by the campers. As part of trying to figure herself out, the book also focuses on her relationship with her immediate family, the mysteries of her parents' pasts and the loneliness that permeates these relationships. There is a sadness in this book, but there is also hope as Kathy eventually better understands herself and develops more confidence.

Continental Drifter is an excellent book that I have added to my classroom library in my goal to improve Asian representation in our book collection. In particular, it complements The Tryout, by Christina Soontornvat, which focuses on a Thai American middle schooler who tries out for the cheerleading team. The pairing of these books allows students to explore themes of identity and relationships in complementary, yet divergent ways.