Now and Zen

Sixteen-year-old Noreli "Nori" Tanaka, will do absolutely anything to escape her parents constant bickering. So when the opportunity for her to leave her small, Powell, Ohio town and spend the summer in Tokyo, Japan arises, she leaps at it instantly. No, she's not interested in learning more about her culture; and she can't even bear the thought of having to sit in a classroom during her summer vacation, but the idea of being free from her parents for over a month is too good to resist. So, packing her bags, Nori heads off to the land of sushi, and high-tech gadgets with various other Americans enrolled in the S.A.S.S. (Students Across the Seven Seas) Global Outreach Program, and finds herself hating every minute of it. Nori's slanted eyes and jet black hair leave everyone believing that she is a native, and don't even question her regarding whether or not she's from the States. Not even the gorgeous, blonde student from Germany, Erik Sussmann. Erik is everything that Nori has ever looked for in a guy - smart, fun, and totally cute. But Erik seems to think of Nori as nothing more than "his Geisha." And, as if that weren't bad enough, he is convinced that Nori is a resident of Japan, and Nori can't find the heart to tell him the truth. After all, if she admits that she's just from America, Erik's feelings for her may change, and she doesn't want that. So, enlisting the help of one of her new friends (and Japan native), Atsushi Shiota, Nori begins working her background, tricking Erik into believing that she is the Japanese native that he thought she was - taking him on trips to shopping centers, and out to raging clubs, and fancy restaurants. But, the more Nori gets to know Erik, the more she is convinced that he likes her only because of her culture, and not because of the true her. Unfortunately, now that Nori has convinced Erik that she's a Tokyo native, she can't exactly go back on her word. That is, until she visits some of her true relatives for a week-long stay in their home, and experiences the truth about her culture for the first time. A truth that helps her embrace her Japanese roots, and find the Zen that is hidden underneath her strong facade. For the past two weeks, I have been extremely interested in Asian mythology and Asian culture altogether. So when I came across Linda Gerber's NOW AND ZEN, I knew I had to read it. From page one Nori was a likable character. Though her slightly cynical perspective regarding her stay in Japan can get a little tiring, the maturity that she begins to display throughout the story really makes up for it, and gives her a vibe of a girl blooming into a young woman. Readers may be disappointed to see how often Nori puts down her bubbly, pink-loving roommate, Amberly. However, as the story continues, they will be happy to see Nori reevaluate who her true friends are, and make peace with those she once wrote off. Gerber has done a fabulous job of bringing Japan to life. Her descriptions of various marke

If you like stories that about have adventure, Japan, or characters that you can relate to and go through real life situations problems then Now and Zen by Linda Gerber is the book for you. In the story Nori Tanaka, the sixteen year old main Japanese-American character from Ohio, goes to Japan through a Global Outreach Summit program, to get away from her parents constant arguing. She begins to feel considered an outsider by both the Native Japanese students because they know she is American and by the American students because they think she is Japanese. For her break Nori goes to stay with her aunt and uncle, she calls Baba and Jiji, in Kyoto. Have you ever been to a traditional Japanese tea ceremony? Well Nori gets to experience this ancient ritual and starts to feel more connected to her roots. Nori also gets to go to the shrine the Ashikaga shogun built in ancient times. As you follow Nori through Japanese adventures and through her ups and downs you will begin to be sucked into the story not ready to put the book down. As I read this book I felt I was right there with the character and the author drew you a picture of the bustling streets of Tokyo and the tranquil sites of Kyoto. I believe people from all ages will enjoy this book, because the author reels you into the story with just the beginning paragraph, "Seventeen hours. That's how long it takes to fly from Columbus, Ohio to Narita, Japan when you make three stops along the way. Seventeen long hours stuck on a plane with a bunch of losers. Not exactly the experience Nori had envisioned when he signed up for a summer abroad."

I loved Now and Zen. Linda Gerber creates a vivid and enriching sense of place. In addition, through effective dialog that works, she introduces us to well crafted characters from the 3-D Nori, Amberly, Michiko; Atsushi and Erik; Baba and Jiji, to keypal Val, who we also know pretty well. Our middle school library will need to purchase several copies, and they will deservedly fly off the shelves. M. Swist

This charming story takes Japanese-American Nori into the world of her family's past -- and what a world it is! While Nori explores Japan, she learns a few hard lessons both inside and outside of her overseas classroom. Japan through Nori's eyes is an amazing place, full of wonders both ancient and modern. Linda Gerber has produced an outstanding first novel with strong characters and a fast-paced storyline that makes it impossible to put down. This story is told with an honesty and sweetness that will captivate her readers. I can't wait for her next book!

Series fiction can be hit or miss, but Now and Zen is definitely a hit! Yes, we have the teenage girl on the adventure overseas, a hallmark of the SASS books. Yes, there's a bit of romance. But Gerber takes this genre to a new level with her well-rounded characters, some unusual dilemmas, a fresh look at Japan, and a touch of sincerely moving spirituality (or at least personal growth)--all this without being didactic! Main character Nori isn't perfect, yet she's perfectly likable. After all, who hasn't put on a bit of a mask at some point to impress someone of the opposite sex? Also, the ending is hopeful without being too easily wrapped up. This book is all the more impressive considering it's by a newcomer. Linda Gerber definitely needs to keep writing!