BOYS I KNOW

Si Chen portrays June Chu, a Taiwanese-American teen living in the Midwest. Chen easily slips into the accents and perspective of June's critical mother, who continually quotes Chinese proverbs. All this makes it easy to understand the constantly demeaned June's new determination. She will prove that she can stop her endless studying and violin practicing, stop comparing herself to her perfectionistic sister, and move ahead with finding a boyfriend. Chen helps listeners experience June's frustrations with sex, her choice of partners, and her attempts to establish her own identity. Gradually, Chen shows June's growth as she reaches beyond what is expected of her, taking risks to meet unfamiliar people and explore new places as she struggles to take steps in directions she chooses for herself. S.W. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2022]