My Life Without Me

My Life Without Me is a coming-of-age story that follows Alexander Smith, an African American teenager uprooted from the familiar comforts of Harvard Westlake Middle School in Los Angeles. Forced into a new reality by their mother's decision to relocate to South Korea, Alexander grapples with culture shock, identity crisis, and the challenges of forging new connections in an unfamiliar environment. As they navigate this foreign land, Alexander encounters individuals whose perspectives starkly contrast their own, particularly Da-Eun, who emerges as a significant antagonist in their journey of self-discovery.
The novel delves into themes of cultural assimilation, resilience, and the complexities of finding one's place in a world that often feels alien.