Is there anything more "TCK" than a cookie that doesn't know where it's from?? This cookie goes by many names in different countries, but it’s always delicious!
Good Goodbyes for Third Culture Kids
Book Review: Raising Up a Generation of Healthy Third Culture Kids by Lauren Wells
Ten Things to Try Before You Give Up on Long Distance
Jessi's Fun Faves Book List
I’m the first to admit I’m a sucker for a good young adult (YA) novel. From epic to cheesy they’re still my go-to book section to browse at any store or library. What a delight to re-read some old favorites and suddenly realize the protagonist is a third culture kid! Or at least a culturally confused individual saving a kingdom, falling in love or navigating their place in the world. Whether you’re soaking up the last of the summer sun, curled up on a beach blanket or enjoying a snowy day with a fireplace and hot cocoa I hope you find a piece of your own story in these pages. Whether you’re a mom looking for homeschool inspiration or a third culture kid getting ready for an extra long flight I hope these cheesy reads keep you captivated and strike a few good discussions too. That’s what the best kind of books do, if you ask me.
Here’s my CURRENT list of fave & FUN third culture kid reads!
I love a story that both entertains and engages important questions around belonging and identity.
All are fiction, written for a young adult audience but for your reading discretion here is a tried and true rating system:
MV - Great for all ages, bed time stories and Mama Vance approved.
HP - If you’re okay with your kids reading Harry Potter, you’ll be okay with these ones. May contain a little swearing, references to mature relationships, a lot of adventure and strong independent characters.
R&R - Sex, drugs, rock & roll, these books tackle the tough topics but hold no bars when it comes to real life. Recommended for older teens or 18+ who still love a good YA novel like I do.
We all know what it’s like to be the new kid. Elenor navigates some of the moments we have nightmares about while remaining true to herself. Park has never felt like he belongs but making friends with Elenor challenges him to use his unique differences to fight for what’s right. Dabbles with bi-racial families and relationships too.
Rated: HP
An exuberant city girl spends a summer in the quiet countryside. Her freedom and strong will clashes with the expectations of her extended family and the village culture. A great read for young ones getting ready to see family for the first time after being abroad and how to manage the expectations of feeling a little “different”, being true to yourself and learning from those around you.
Rating: MV
I know I know. I wasn’t allowed to read these as a kid either. BUT! In my young adult rebellion, they are a series of books I read over and over again. Everyone knows the premise- Harry is a young wizard who gets in trouble, goes on grand adventures and ultimately destroys the evil Voldemort *eek spoiler alert!* But did you know Harry grew up in the “muggle” or non-magic Britain? Did you know he spends each of the 7 books learning more about the wizarding culture and navigating his belonging between these drastically different worlds? These are a must read for any TCK and may even prompt a Kaleidoscope Book Club next time I make my way through the series.
Rated: HP. Obviously.
(Also Lola and The Boy Next Door + Isla and the Happily Ever After)
Anna is shipped off to Paris for her senior year. Most people would think this is a dream but she’s just homesick for her best friend until she meets a rag-tag group of TCKs. It doesn’t hurt that one of them has rockstar hair and a British accent.
Rated: HP
My brothers and I laugh/cried our way through these! Written by an actual from-the-jungle-missionary-kid with a wicked sense of humor. There might be decades and continents between our stories but some things are the same no matter what.
Rated: MV
Think Mean Girls meets 10 Things I Hate About You. Norris is a French Canadian who moves to the very foreign Austin, Texas. His “field notes” explore habits and culture of the typical U.S. teenager with biting sarcasm and heartbreaking introspection. It hurts so good.
Rated: R&R
The 12 Worst Parts of Being a Kaleider
The 8 People You Meet At A Kaleidoscope Conference
7 Books to Satisfy Every Mood of the Average TCK
Alright guys, let’s be honest. The moods and emotions of someone who grew up overseas are turbulent and ever-changing. One day, we’re so well-adjusted and content with where we are in life and in the world (“Mature adult who doesn’t have any emotional baggage from a lifetime of goodbyes? That’s me!”). The next day we’re suddenly making a bee-line for the airport with a backpack of necessities and the cheapest international economy ticket on the market (“Just kidding. Get me out of this black hole of domestic American living.”).
Okay…maybe it’s not that extreme (for some of us). But TCKs and travel-lovers alike are definitely subject to some emotional, flighty tendencies. Luckily, there are a few stories that have calmed me down on my more extreme “I-don’t-belong-here” days. So, here it is: a list of seven books to satisfy the quirky moods of a TCK.
1. For when you want a flashback to your unconventional 90’s childhood:
Peanut Butter Friends in a Chop Suey World by Deb Brammer— Okay, all you MKs out there probably had a copy of this book shoved in your face at some point in your childhood. If not, let me give you a brief synopsis. Young American girl moves to Taiwan as an MK. Goes to international school. Makes friends. Learns to like authentic Asian food. Basically, if life overseas was an hour-long Focus on the Family radio special, it would be this book.
2. For when you just want to pack up and leave everything (again)
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer— If the story of Chris McCandless doesn’t encourage your wanderlust, then I don’t know what will. Abandoning a life of prestigious degrees, white-picket fences, financial security, and even his own name, Chris burns all of his bridges (and his money) and treks from the Southwest to Alaska. His extremely inspiring and tragic story will certainly leave you itching to pack your bags and hit the road.
3. For when you feel like you don’t fit the status quo:
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare— Raised in Barbados, with a later move to conservative, 17th century Connecticut, Kit Tyler is a textbook TCK. This chick goes through some major culture-shock moments (i.e. she gets mistaken for a witch just because she knows how to swim). This may be a children’s book, but you’ll find yourself connecting with Kit’s struggle to find belonging in a culture vastly different from anything she’s ever known.
4. For when the reverse culture shock hits you hard:
Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín— Oh, this book will pull at your heartstrings in the most painful way possible. A story of loving and leaving, Brooklyn tells of an Irish girl named Eilís who emigrates to the East Coast. The theme of missing her birthplace and making a life for herself in her new home is woven throughout the whole book. Get ready to cry when you read this one. (P.S. The movie is equally magnificent and emotionally traumatic. Warning: the quote below may leave you in tears. Proceed with caution.)
5. For when you're craving some [obviously-superior-to-American] cuisine:
The Hundred-Food Journey by Richard C. Morais— Travel. Mouth-watering descriptions of Indian-French fusion dishes. This book has it all. If you’ve been especially missing that homey comfort dish from your field country, be careful. This book may tip you over the edge and force you to buy a plane ticket immediately.
6. For when you need reminding that your overseas experience really wasn’t that bad:
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver— This story is quite literally the Greek tragedy of missionary endeavors. 1 abusive father plus 1 country in political turmoil plus 4 daughters and a wife subjected to the oppressive expectations put upon them by culture equals a freaking train wreck. Need a little reality check? Read this book. Your life really isn’t that bad.
7. For when you’re (still) trying to figure out where home is:
At Home in the World: Reflections on Belonging While Wandering the Globe by Tsh Oxenreider— This memoir follows the story of Tsh and Kyle Oxenreider, a couple of Americans who spent most of their early married life abroad and feel much more at home outside their home country than within. As soon as their children are old enough to carry their own backpacks, the family decides to leave their motherland once again and become, as O. Henry puts it, “citizens of the world.” Tsh is basically the mother we all want to become, and her grapple with what “home” means will leave you saying, “Me, too.”
Top 10 Reasons to Date a TCK
Kids, don't try this at home. Talk to your parents about dating if you're under 18, and definitely if you're over 18. When you are ready to go for it, here are 10 reasons to choose a third culture kid!
1. We know people all over the world. You'll have a free couch to sleep on in almost every country you visit.
Get excited.
2. When you get promoted and your job moves you overseas, they'll be happier than you are.
First of all, congrats.
3. Their trivia knowledge is on point, although you may need to educate them about what happened in the 90's.
Who's that kid with the football shaped head?
I think I saw one of these at a garage sale once.
We know literally one Spice Girls song, and that is it.
4. They'll be able to impress and relate to your friends and family in three seconds.
5. There will never be a lull in conversation; they love to talk about themselves.
Yes!
6. Their [swearing] vocabulary spans multiple languages.
7. Meeting the parents might not be an issue, since they're a $2,000 plane ride away.
Crisis averted
8. If date plans go wrong, don't worry–you'll find them incredibly flexible.
9. For your birthday they'll buy you a plane ticket!
Where are we going?
10. It might take a while, but once they love you, they'll love you forever.
xoxo,
the Kazakh Nomads
