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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
Fast paced story about the early days of the Covid outbreak in Wuhan through the eyes of a girl whose only parent works in the nearby hospital. It felt a bit superficial, but could be good for kids who want an idea about what happened without the full grim details. I liked that Mei could use her passion for cooking to help her neighbors.
I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I am so glad that Compestine wrote this book. I thought it would give some insight into what was being experienced in Wuhan while most of the rest of the world was still tuned out and oblivious and it did. It was also enjoyable to read and engaging. There are strong themes of kindness, generosity, and community in this story. I really wanted it to be a five star read, so badly. For me it was pretty great, but lacked something to make it extraordinary.
I am so glad that Compestine wrote this book. I thought it would give some insight into what was being experienced in Wuhan while most of the rest of the world was still tuned out and oblivious and it did. It was also enjoyable to read and engaging. There are strong themes of kindness, generosity, and community in this story. I really wanted it to be a five star read, so badly. For me it was pretty great, but lacked something to make it extraordinary.
I was surprised how much I liked this book! I'm eager to share it with my students this year if they're open to it. It did bring back some weird trauma, as in, I felt like I was back in 2020-2021 dealing with all the uncertainty and quarantine and confusion and fear. It was interesting to see how similar the response actually was in Wuhan to what we experienced in the States.
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Good middle grade story to revisit the Chinese beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
challenging
emotional
inspiring
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
If you were hit hard by the early stages of the pandemic, read with care!
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
Read in 9h40 at 0.65 speed
A good story of the beginning of the pandemic and quarantine in Wuhan. People wear whatever they can ask masks, the doctors can't leave work, but Mei who is the daughter of a doctor has an N95 mask and is better protected when she goes volunteering.
I don't know how it was in China, but in early 2021 we still had strict lockdowns in Europe so the epilogue with a Chinese New Year parade surprised me, so now I'm curious to learn how it was.
Maybe it's just me but the audiobook narrator sounded more like an old lady than a young teenage girl.
A good story of the beginning of the pandemic and quarantine in Wuhan. People wear whatever they can ask masks, the doctors can't leave work, but Mei who is the daughter of a doctor has an N95 mask and is better protected when she goes volunteering.
I don't know how it was in China, but in early 2021 we still had strict lockdowns in Europe so the epilogue with a Chinese New Year parade surprised me, so now I'm curious to learn how it was.
Maybe it's just me but the audiobook narrator sounded more like an old lady than a young teenage girl.
Quick Summary: A little bit of everything beautiful mixed with a whole lot of love
My Summary: Morning Sun in Wuhan by Ying Chang Compestine was five glorious, golden stars worth of goodness. I absolutely loved this book!
The most immediate feeling I was hit with, as I read this story, came at the very beginning of Mei's journey. The emotional element wrapped its arms around me and squeezed. Honestly, I was catapulted to where Mei and her family and friends existed. I felt their struggles and concerns. I could understand their caution and weariness. I sympathized with their unfortunate dilemmas. I was filled with compassion for the very people that at one moment were living life or celebrating and in the next breath, they were lined up, trying to get help.
As the story progressed from one stage to the next, I could not help but consider the similarities and differences that came at the hands of the pandemic. The responses of the characters were so real and telling. There were many life lessons weaved into the fabric of this amazing story. At the end of the day, the message in this book helped to solidify the point that it is in adversity that we begin to see who we really are as a people and as individuals.
Favorite Quote: “Sour, sweet, bitter, and spicy — that’s what makes a rich life..." (In my humble opinion, this perfectly summed up the beautiful ride that was Morning Sun in Wuhan.)
My Final Say: This book is a worthy read. It was outstanding! I will most definitely be recommending it to my local public library system. I will also add it to the local community-based Multicultural Studies Booklist for Middle Grade Readers in 2023.
Additional Remarks: Readers will love the authentic taste of Mei's recipes. The inclusion of the recipes, cooking terms, and the author's remarks added to the book in a most profound way.
Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: Middle grade and up
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Bookshelf: Yes
I am incredibly appreciative to the author, to the publisher, and to NetGalley, who provided access to this title in exchange for an honest review. The words I have shared are my own and were voluntarily submitted.
My Summary: Morning Sun in Wuhan by Ying Chang Compestine was five glorious, golden stars worth of goodness. I absolutely loved this book!
The most immediate feeling I was hit with, as I read this story, came at the very beginning of Mei's journey. The emotional element wrapped its arms around me and squeezed. Honestly, I was catapulted to where Mei and her family and friends existed. I felt their struggles and concerns. I could understand their caution and weariness. I sympathized with their unfortunate dilemmas. I was filled with compassion for the very people that at one moment were living life or celebrating and in the next breath, they were lined up, trying to get help.
As the story progressed from one stage to the next, I could not help but consider the similarities and differences that came at the hands of the pandemic. The responses of the characters were so real and telling. There were many life lessons weaved into the fabric of this amazing story. At the end of the day, the message in this book helped to solidify the point that it is in adversity that we begin to see who we really are as a people and as individuals.
Favorite Quote: “Sour, sweet, bitter, and spicy — that’s what makes a rich life..." (In my humble opinion, this perfectly summed up the beautiful ride that was Morning Sun in Wuhan.)
My Final Say: This book is a worthy read. It was outstanding! I will most definitely be recommending it to my local public library system. I will also add it to the local community-based Multicultural Studies Booklist for Middle Grade Readers in 2023.
Additional Remarks: Readers will love the authentic taste of Mei's recipes. The inclusion of the recipes, cooking terms, and the author's remarks added to the book in a most profound way.
Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: Middle grade and up
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Bookshelf: Yes
I am incredibly appreciative to the author, to the publisher, and to NetGalley, who provided access to this title in exchange for an honest review. The words I have shared are my own and were voluntarily submitted.