Almond by Won-pyung Sohn

Almond tells the story of Yunjae, a boy born with a brain condition called alexithymia, which makes it hard for him to express any emotions. He lives a quiet, structured life, with his mother and grandmother, struggling with simple things like socializing. But everything changes when a random act of violence shatters his world, leaving him alone. As Yunjae meets a violent, troubled boy, Gon, an unexpected friendship helps him begin to understand what it means to feel, love, pain, and empathy.

Almond by Won-pyung Sohn is a beautifully written book that explores human emotions through the eyes of someone who doesn’t understand them. It’s quiet but powerful, the kind of book that makes you stop and think about empathy and human nature. Yunjae’s perspective is really unique, you can literally see him grow throughout the book, and in a way, you grow along with him. The story is full of emotions, even though the main character can't even feel them. The writting is simple yet poetic. I just love it.

Reviewed by V.V., Grade 11

Glendale Central Library