Growing up, I was a voracious reader, but I didn’t start picking up books by Korean authors with Korean protagonists until college. Whether unsettling books like Han Kang’s The Vegetarian, or sweet books like Jenny Han’s To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, reading them made me feel amazing because I could connect with the culture. But at the same time, it made me feel bittersweet because I think it came with the realization that there had been a literary lack in my childhood. 

That’s part of what inspired me to reimagine Great Expectations with a Korean American, female protagonist. I wanted to update a classic story but from a point of view that really resonated with me. Every child deserves to see their lives represented in the literature they read. I hope the books on this list are read by everyone, but especially those who need them most. 

Looking for a new twist on old classics? Look no further than this list of MG retellings.