I Love You So Mochi, written by Sarah Kuhn, reviewed by Anneliese White

Summary: When her maternal grandparents whom she never met send her a plane ticket to visit them in Japan during Spring Break, Kimi jumps at the chance to escape her troubles at home. She is painfully unsure of her future after high school graduation, and is trying to flee the massive fallout with her mom, who recently found out she dropped out of her art classes and no longer wants to pursue art school professionally like they had planned together. Kimi hopes Kyoto will bring her the clarity and wisdom she is seeking to decide on her future, while also allowing her to get to know her grandparents for the first time in her life. During her exploration of the city on her first day, she runs into an extremely cute boy, Akira, dressed in a mochi costume to promote his uncle’s business. As he becomes her unofficial guide around the city during her stay, it’s not only the cherry blossoms that are budding with romance. Japan will offer Kimi knowledge of her true desire in life, her first sweetheart, and a better understanding of her mom, as Kuhn delightfully brings Japanese culture and food to life on the pages in this gratifying YA novel.

Straight Talk for Librarians: “I Love You So Mochi,” presents itself as the rare unicorn of YA romance novels; it features a fantastic story, rich in education of another culture, spotlighting main characters who are all miniorities, and...wait for it...wait for it...NO SEX SCENES OR SEX REFERENCES! Seriously folks, just kissing and a sweet innocent romance fill these pages. It is the book that librarians are often searching for, to appease their female tween readers, while not having to worry about mature content. It should be noted that there is some profanity in the novel, but not enough that it would prohibit a purchase. Kuhn’s novel would be great for discussions on Japanese cultural differences (she seamlessly weaves Japanese customs and do’s and don'ts for American readers), inaccurate stereotypes, as well as talks on pursuing your goals and passions. It’s a must purchase for middle school and high school libraries, and here’s hoping Kuhn is conceivably intending a sequel.