IT'S A PRIVILEGE JUST TO BE HERE

Narrator Cindy Kay entertains listeners as she skillfully delivers this satirical novel's snarky tone. Aki Hiyashi-Brown accepts a teaching job at the expensive, predominantly white Wesley Friends School in order for her daughter, Meg, to be able to attend. After racist graffiti is found at the school, Aki, one of the few teachers of color, is assigned to be the head of the new DEI task force. But the committee ignores Aki's recommendations, and no real change is made. While the story's pacing is a bit slow, especially in the first half, Sasaki's insight into the elite private school setting creates a thought-provoking listening experience that is enhanced by Kay's biting performance. V.T.M. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2024]