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marieintheraw's review
4.0
This is one of those middle grade books that feels like a warm hug and is honestly just the sweetest thing (and made me want boba).
I received an ecopy of this book through Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own.
I received an ecopy of this book through Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own.
thewordyhabitat's review against another edition
4.0
so cute and filled with learnings. also made me crave boba 🧋
bookgirlmj's review
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.0
Tea is my favorite beverage and crafting is one my hobbies, making this book relatable and enjoyable for me.
craftylibrarian10's review
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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
4.5
I really liked this book. There were so much discussion about cultural norms and families. There is also an element of financial literacy. The story is really cute, and I really loved Pearl!
gumihoreviews's review
5.0
Boba Time’s the best time!
[b:It’s Boba Time for Pearl Li!|61232307|It’s Boba Time for Pearl Li!|Nicole Chen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1675645188l/61232307._SY75_.jpg|96538892] by [a:Nicole Chen|22347942|Nicole Chen|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1649794077p2/22347942.jpg] is a standalone novel and is boba filled with a combination of friendship and entrepreneurship. Pearl is a young girl who loves to go to a boba shop. Unfortunately, the boba shop is on the verge of closing down. So Pearl decides she wants to help keep it open. Will she be able to keep it open?
This novel was so good! Not only did it have a completely diverse cast of characters and cultures, it was based in a boba shop! There was a mix of insecurities, inferiority complexes, and friendships. It also had focus on family dynamics (the good and bad) and tweens becoming teens. I loved the Asian vs Asian American dynamics and the Chinese cultural explanations.
Above all of that, there was a use of multiple languages, English, Mandarin, and Taiwanese. It was also great that the main characters were from Hong Kong, India, and Taiwan (Taiwanese American). The diversity is strong! Coming back to the family, the things that stuck out the most were the fact that they didn’t have a voice or were not able to speak up. Another issue is that they were doing what their families wanted rather than what they wanted.
Finally, the entrepreneurship that’s within the story is super strong and it shows that you don’t have to be an adult to have a business. The characters built a business as a tween, it also showed the struggle of having a business and that you can monetize passions like crocheting.
This is a great coming of age story with an Asian American protagonist. The chapters are in bite size chunks and have a full story within the story. It also is filled with friendship, entrepreneurship, growing up, and is a contemporary story. It’s great for readers aged 10-12+ but can be read alone for the upper middle grade levels. It opens space for discussions too.
I hope there are more coming from Nicole Chen.
*This was an honest review for a complimentary copy of It's Boba Time for Pearl Li! from Nicole Chen via NetGalley
[b:It’s Boba Time for Pearl Li!|61232307|It’s Boba Time for Pearl Li!|Nicole Chen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1675645188l/61232307._SY75_.jpg|96538892] by [a:Nicole Chen|22347942|Nicole Chen|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1649794077p2/22347942.jpg] is a standalone novel and is boba filled with a combination of friendship and entrepreneurship. Pearl is a young girl who loves to go to a boba shop. Unfortunately, the boba shop is on the verge of closing down. So Pearl decides she wants to help keep it open. Will she be able to keep it open?
This novel was so good! Not only did it have a completely diverse cast of characters and cultures, it was based in a boba shop! There was a mix of insecurities, inferiority complexes, and friendships. It also had focus on family dynamics (the good and bad) and tweens becoming teens. I loved the Asian vs Asian American dynamics and the Chinese cultural explanations.
Above all of that, there was a use of multiple languages, English, Mandarin, and Taiwanese. It was also great that the main characters were from Hong Kong, India, and Taiwan (Taiwanese American). The diversity is strong! Coming back to the family, the things that stuck out the most were the fact that they didn’t have a voice or were not able to speak up. Another issue is that they were doing what their families wanted rather than what they wanted.
Finally, the entrepreneurship that’s within the story is super strong and it shows that you don’t have to be an adult to have a business. The characters built a business as a tween, it also showed the struggle of having a business and that you can monetize passions like crocheting.
This is a great coming of age story with an Asian American protagonist. The chapters are in bite size chunks and have a full story within the story. It also is filled with friendship, entrepreneurship, growing up, and is a contemporary story. It’s great for readers aged 10-12+ but can be read alone for the upper middle grade levels. It opens space for discussions too.
I hope there are more coming from Nicole Chen.
*This was an honest review for a complimentary copy of It's Boba Time for Pearl Li! from Nicole Chen via NetGalley
radmusikitty's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.25
booksicle's review
4.0
This book is so adorable and perfect for anyone who wants to embrace every side they have to offer! Pearl Li doesn't connect with her family the way her friends do. She loves crafting, specifically crocheting amigurumi dolls! Her family on the other hand are all techies, a language she just doesn't understand.. and she speaks three! The summer before seventh grade she learns her safe-haven Boba Time, is on the brink of closing and she'll do anything to save it.. even if it means lying to her family and fighting against what might be right.
It's Boba Time has everything you could want from a middle grade novel, a hopeful story, a challenge to overcome, and lessons to be learned. Even reading this as an adult, it's inspired me to embrace every side I have to offer and filled me with a renewed sense of pride in what I do.
It's Boba Time has everything you could want from a middle grade novel, a hopeful story, a challenge to overcome, and lessons to be learned. Even reading this as an adult, it's inspired me to embrace every side I have to offer and filled me with a renewed sense of pride in what I do.
jackie_reads_314's review
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
one_crazy_eliott's review
Nothing was stand out about it to me. I could have continued, but I didn't want to force myself to read a book that was just meh imo
mari_rod's review
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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