The Leavers

The Leavers

• Genre: Fiction; literary novel
• Originally Published: 2017
• Reading Level/Interest: 870L; College/Adult
• Structure/Length: 25 chapters; approximately 368 pages; approximately 14 hours, 53 minutes on audiobook
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: The central conflict revolves around the identity of Deming (Daniel) Guo, a Chinese American boy who is separated from his mother, Peilan (Polly), when she mysteriously disappears. Deming is then adopted by a white American couple. The novel alternates between Deming’s and Polly’s perspectives, exploring their journeys as they grapple with the choices they’ve made and the impact of immigration policies on their lives. The Leavers delves into themes of family, identity, and the immigrant experience in the United States.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Themes of family separation, abandonment, immigration, and identity; depictions of immigrant detention and deportation; exploration of complex family relationships

Lisa Ko, Author

• Bio: American author and novelist; Born in New York City; Known for her works addressing themes of immigration, identity, and belonging; The Leavers is her debut novel and has garnered significant acclaim for its exploration of immigrant experiences.
• Other Works: Memory Piece (2024)
• Awards: PEN/Bellwether Prize for Socially Engaged Fiction (2016)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

• Hybrid Cultural, Racial, and Class Identities
• The Vulnerability of Immigrant Families
• The Trauma of Abandonment
• Language as a Marker of Identity