Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng

A dystopian society that is always watching those who don't follow the norm and punishing those who don't look like those in power (in this case those of Asian descent) or act like they do. Bird has lost his mother who was targeted as a radical poet. Now that the government is taking children away from parents they feel are not following the party line and relocating them, Bird's dad is hiding them in the shadows. Bird yearns for answers as to why his mother left and where she has gone but he can't get them from his dad who is a shell of his former self and searching for any trace of her will alert the authorities. When a drawing comes he knows it is from his mom and goes off in search of her. This is a beautiful coming of age story that dives deep into the relationship between parent and child quietly picking at your loose heart strings until you unravel completely. Intricately formed and quietly militant this story will stay with you well after the last page. An added bonus is the awesome underground librarian network at play. Fans of 1984, THE HANDMAIDS TALE and cautionary tales of extreme nationalism will find much to love.  4 1/2 stars