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piperclover's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I don't usually rate books that I read for class assignments but I whole-heartedly enjoyed this book and I would be doing myself a disservice if I didn't rate it. This author so masterfully tied together heritage, folk tales, personal stories, growing up, fitting into society, making friends, dealing with sick grandparents and losing loved ones, and so much more into a book that was impactful and emotional but genuinely fun to read. I had no idea what I was getting into when I started this book but I am so glad that I picked it.
Throughout the entire book there's a constant undercurrent of Lily, her sister Sam, their mother being embarrassed by their Korean heritage and how eccentric and traditional halmoni is. Each one of them goes through moments of being embarrassed by how different her beliefs are and how she doesn't really fit into mainstream American society which means that none of the girls fit exactly either. They each grapple with the question of "if we didn't have this heritage would be less of a standout" or more likeable or more normal. The resolution to this is so impactful because each of these 3 characters realize that they over simplified what it meant to have a Korean heritage and to be Korean until they reduced it down only the inconvenien bits instead of appreciating the overall essence of everything combined.
Lily also starts out being absolutely terrified of being what her sister calls a QAG or a Quiet Asian Girl stereotype. She's constantly grappling with stereotypes of her race and her culture and how much of it should inform her behavior and combined with the tension in their family and her being the "easy child", Lily struggles to feel connected to anything, including herself. I was delighted to see Sam recognize her mistakes and how she pushed her own fears onto Lily and how she realized it was hurting Lily so she apologized. It was a touching moment in the narrative but, from a wider perspective, it was a great lesson to show this age demographic that people can and should apologize for things that hurt you even if they didn't mean to. .
I would be hard pressed to find another book aimed at this a range that handles the death of a grandparent and watching that grandparent's a physical and mental decline in such a tender and loving way that doesn't shy away from descriptions of how sick halmoni really is and how terrifying the whole ordeal is. We see through Lily's eyes how halmoni declines and so we see first-hand how it impacts her and how she understands it impact other people. I think this author did this topic such justice and the portrayal of it respects the demographic that she's writing to. I very nearly cried at the end of the book because it was heartfelt and touching and I could feel everything Lily felt even without any of the same experiences.
The boy that Lily makes friends with is absolutely precious. Ricky is so sweet, so genuine, and so fun. He tries to make Lily feel bette about having halmoni by using the word halmoni instead of grandma. He can't quite pronounce it right but he tries and its so thoughtful.He fears his mother abandoned them bc he wasn't a good enough son which is heartbreaking but realistic for anyone to believe. He and Lily help each other emotionally so much and it was fantastic to read.
The sister Sam has a girlfriend by the end! I saw it coming right when the gf and Sam met and I was thrilled about it. Its lovely representation that not only is Sam a little "punk" (by her mother's standard), Asian, and outwardly opiniated but also in a relationship with another teen girl and Lily is like " oh...OH...ok cool".
Throughout the entire book there's a constant undercurrent of Lily, her sister Sam, their mother being embarrassed by their Korean heritage and how eccentric and traditional halmoni is. Each one of them goes through moments of being embarrassed by how different her beliefs are and how she doesn't really fit into mainstream American society which means that none of the girls fit exactly either. They each grapple with the question of "if we didn't have this heritage would be less of a standout" or more likeable or more normal. The resolution to this is so impactful because each of these 3 characters realize that they over simplified what it meant to have a Korean heritage and to be Korean until they reduced it down only the inconvenien bits instead of appreciating the overall essence of everything combined.
Lily also starts out being absolutely terrified of being what her sister calls a QAG or a Quiet Asian Girl stereotype. She's constantly grappling with stereotypes of her race and her culture and how much of it should inform her behavior and combined with the tension in their family and her being the "easy child", Lily struggles to feel connected to anything, including herself.
I would be hard pressed to find another book aimed at this a range that handles
The boy that Lily makes friends with is absolutely precious. Ricky is so sweet, so genuine, and so fun. He tries to make Lily feel bette about having halmoni by using the word halmoni instead of grandma. He can't quite pronounce it right but he tries and its so thoughtful.
The sister Sam has a girlfriend by the end! I saw it coming right when the gf and Sam met and I was thrilled about it. Its lovely representation that not only is Sam a little "punk" (by her mother's standard), Asian, and outwardly opiniated but also in a relationship with another teen girl and Lily is like " oh...OH...ok cool".
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Dementia, and Vomit
paetjdud's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Medical content, Vomit, and Dementia
emilyhv's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Cancer, Vomit, and Terminal illness
empathephant's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book makes me want to write, like all the best books do.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit and Terminal illness
Moderate: Death, Car accident, and Death of parent
Minor: Xenophobia
fclancy93's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
A story's magic
Is not found in it's trappings
But in it's telling
Is not found in it's trappings
But in it's telling
Content Warnings
Moderate: Terminal illness, Medical content, Vomit, and Death
melancholymegs's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia, Cancer, Death, Grief, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Death of parent and Vomit
Minor: Racism
rieviolet's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It's been quite some time since I read a middle-grade book but this one came highly recommended and I really needed a lovely and magical story to cheer me up.
It really is a lovely and magical story, although it also deals with some difficult and sad topics and the ending made me shed many tears. Still, it is nice sometimes to have a bit of a cathartic crying session and to come out of it feeling a bit more hopeful and encouraged.
I really liked the characterization and the interactions between characters. I thought that the author did a wonderful job of translating Lily's feelings and fears on the page.
Also, I really appreciated the author's note, it was very nice and moving to learn more about the story's origins and the writing process.
It really is a lovely and magical story, although it also deals with some difficult and sad topics and the ending made me shed many tears. Still, it is nice sometimes to have a bit of a cathartic crying session and to come out of it feeling a bit more hopeful and encouraged.
I really liked the characterization and the interactions between characters. I thought that the author did a wonderful job of translating Lily's feelings and fears on the page.
Also, I really appreciated the author's note, it was very nice and moving to learn more about the story's origins and the writing process.
"Take your history, undestand where you came from and who you are - then find your own story. Create the story of who you are yet to be".
...maybe this is how healing starts - small bits of happiness waking up inside you, until maybe one day it spreads through your whole self.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Cancer, Grief, and Racism
Minor: Death of parent, Medical content, Car accident, Vomit, Abandonment, and Emotional abuse
ginadapooh's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Death of parent
Moderate: Car accident and Vomit
atamano's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Vomit
Moderate: Cancer
pattyreader's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A beautiful story about a family who move to another state to care for the grandmother. Family traditions, love and storytelling help the protagonist navigate the complex issues facing the family .
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Car accident, Death of parent, Racism, Vomit, Chronic illness, Death, and Grief