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Overview
For freshman Xing Xu, life at Slackenkill High School is a daily exercise in futility. As one of only two Asian students at the otherwise all-white school, he exists on the fringes of adolescent society, counting the days until he’s free. Only his best friend, fellow Chinese immigrant Naomi Lee, can comprehend Xing’s loneliness and frustration. When a series of mysterious abductions rattles his adopted home town, Xing’s position on the outskirts of the community puts him at an advantage. Local police are baffled by the crimes, but Xing, so easily ignored by those around him, sees and hears the things others do not. As he moves closer to unveiling the identity of the kidnapper, a surprise revelation from his past presents an opportunity to prove his worth to his classmates — and to the lovely Naomi — once and for all. Ultimately, Xing must choose between living his life in the shadows and revealing his true self to the world, leading to a climax that will resonate long after the chilling conclusion.Synopsis
Crossing is a thriller about an immigrant Chinese teenager who suddenly finds himself at the center of mysterious abductions occurring in his high school. A loner in his all-white high school, Xing has only one friend: Naomi Lee. Also originally from China, she is a brilliant, beautiful classmate. For years she has been Xing’s best friend, but now he longs for more.
His staid existence is intruded upon by a series of bizarre incidents. Students at his school are disappearing. No one can explain it; classmates simply vanish into thin air, victims of a serial abductor. The blue collar community is completely flummoxed by the unfolding events.
Only Xing, alone on the sidelines of life, is privy to some peculiar sightings around town. Yet his quest to uncover the truth is delayed by the most unlikely turn of events. A miraculous discovery of a singing talent thrusts Xing into the limelight as the lead of the school musical. By a single stroke, he can now achieve two elusive dreams: acceptance from classmates and affection from Naomi.
But the disappearances continue. And as Xing draws closer to unveiling the identity of the abductor, he senses a noose of suspicion tightening around his own neck. Xing's immigrant story his desperate bid for acceptance in white America, the devastating sting of rejection not only serves as the backdrop to this psychologically rich tale, but propels the action toward a chilling climax.