Stevenson's debut novel explores the complexities of mixed ethnicity, advocacy versus self-interest, and finding one's voice. Asha Jamison is at the top of her senior class and ready to attend any number of selective schools, until her focus shifts from academia to racial prejudice after being called a "towel head" at a pool party. The comment was meant as a joke (she indeed had a towel on her head at the time), but Mexican/Irish/Indian Asha and her half-Chinese best friend, Carey, see it as emblematic of a broader insensitivity. Shortly thereafter, they found the Latte Rebellion (complete with manifesto and Web site) promoting mixed-race pride--and ideally funding a postgraduation trip through T-shirt sales. Their group quickly gains national popularity, but despite this success, Asha's schoolwork suffers, her relationships with her family and with Carey are strained, and the group's militaristic tone attracts the attention of school administrators. As Stevenson alternates between the day-to-day dramas surrounding the advent of the rebellion and scenes from an eventual disciplinary hearing, she offers a thought-provoking account of a girl's search for identity. Ages 12–up. (Jan.)
"Stevenson's debut novel expertly handles complex issues around race and ethnic identity without seeming pedantic. A welcome addition to a rapidly evolving genre of multiethnic young adult literature." —School Library Journal
"Asha is engaging and the depiction of her journey—a realistic mess of vague hopes, serendipitous events, serious missteps and gutsy choices—compellingly original." —Kirkus Reviews
"Young readers facing real life racism are sure to be inspired by the story." —ForeWord Magazine
"This coming-of-age story is craftily written, fast paced and delivers a message of doing the right thing under difficult circumstances. The Latte Rebellion is a wonderful, conceptual story from a new author with strong promise of becoming established in the YA genre." —VOYA
"The portrayal of Asha's initially misguided but relatable social awakening is so honest that readers will find themselves first cringing at her efforts, then cheering her on." —Booklist
"[The Latte Rebellion] is more than the typical high school story. [It] will strike a chord with those students who are trying to find their place in society." —Library Media Connection
"A thoughtful taste of one girl's attempt at being a world-traveling, latte-drinking, singularly awesome individual in a world determined to herd her into being classified as either coffee or milk." —Tanita S. Davis, author of Mare's War, A Coretta Scott King Honor Book
Stevenson takes on the issue of multiracialism in her debut novel The Latte Rebellion. Told in first person through the voice of multiracial high school senior, Asha Jamison, the story revolves around the obstacles she and her multiracial friends confront daily. One day, an idea is born. Making the analogy that race is like a latte—a mixture of light and dark—the concept of the Latte Rebellion begins. At first a money-making prospect of selling graphic t-shirts to finance Asha and friend, Carey's, summer trip to London, it spirals out of control. The Latte Rebellion gains national recognition, tests their friendship and threatens Asha's acceptance into college. Stevenson presents believable supporting characters and a protagonist with whom readers will identify and empathize. The novel speaks directly to teenagers who are beginning to find their place in their world and figuring out how to make the world a better place for others. This concept is enhanced throughout the book by inserts of the Latte Rebellion posters and cartoon drawings. This coming-of-age story is craftily written, fast paced and delivers a message of doing the right thing under difficult circumstances. The Latte Rebellion is a wonderful, conceptual story from a new author with strong promise of becoming established in the YA genre. Reviewer: Ursula Adams
The Latte Rebellion is extremely well-written. I liked the way Stevenson transferred between two time settings—real time and the future. The characters are well-developed and very realistic. This a quick, entertaining, hard-to-put-down book. The plot sustained interest with a satisfying solution to the climax. The Latte Rebellion will appeal to teenage girls, particularly those of multiethnic backgrounds. Also, it will have great appeal for those teenagers who are active in supporting a cause. Reviewer: Paisley Adams, Teen Reviewer
Gr 9 Up—After a classmate hurls a racial slur at her, Asha Jamison, who is half Indian, a quarter Mexican, and a quarter Irish, and her best friend, Carey, who is half Chinese and half Caucasian, use the experience as inspiration for a moneymaking enterprise to raise funds for a graduation trip. At first, the girls sell T-shirts emblazoned with the logo of their new venture, "The Latte Rebellion," hoping to promote awareness about students of mixed ethnicity. But business soon turns political, and Asha finds herself at the center of a burgeoning social movement. As her involvement in it deepens, she becomes more self-reflective in her search for identity, resisting categorization. Stevenson's debut novel expertly handles complex issues around race and ethnic identity without seeming pedantic, and her authentic descriptions of the San Francisco Bay Area complement the story well. Teens will relate to Asha's typical adolescent struggles with her parents, as well as her attempts to mend a heartbreaking rift with Carey. A welcome addition to a rapidly evolving genre of multiethnic young adult literature.—Lalitha Nataraj, Escondido Public Library, CA
Shy Asha Jamison is snowed under with AP classes, college-application essays and the sky-high expectations of her Indian-American mom and Mexican-Irish-American dad. Digs from classmates at her mixed-race status don't help, but they give Asha an idea. Voilà, the Latte Rebellion is born, a scheme to promote blended ethnicity (like lattes, mixed people come in many hues and flavors) by selling T-shirts. The profits will fund a graduation trip with biracial friend Carey Wong. The cause quickly takes on a life of its own; Rebellion chapters spring up across the country, generating publicity good and bad. As Asha discovers a latent gift for leadership and passion for social justice (and for college activist Thad Sakai), her grades and college hopes, along with her friendship with Carey, deteriorate. While this debut skims over thornier issues of blended identity, and the Rebellion's strategy of social change through viral marketing is questionable, Asha is engaging and the depiction of her journey—a realistic mess of vague hopes, serendipitous events, serious missteps and gutsy choices—compellingly original. (Fiction. YA)
