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4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
There were hardly any words in me as I reached the end of such an amazing read. Eyes were filling with tears that threatened to be shed along with all the ⭐️ I wanted to hand out.
A book that at a first read seemed like one that was important, it held my attention. Watching an author interview made me love it even more. A young child is your narrator as you hear her story of coming to America, living undocumented & the hope she carries with her.
It was beautifully written & one that I won’t soon forget as those pages are closed. Loved that the author herself is a reader and found friends in books growing up. As their escape is so needed.
I’m still at a loss for words, yet know deep down how glad I am to have read it. As it opened my eyes and filled me with so much emotion.
A book that at a first read seemed like one that was important, it held my attention. Watching an author interview made me love it even more. A young child is your narrator as you hear her story of coming to America, living undocumented & the hope she carries with her.
It was beautifully written & one that I won’t soon forget as those pages are closed. Loved that the author herself is a reader and found friends in books growing up. As their escape is so needed.
I’m still at a loss for words, yet know deep down how glad I am to have read it. As it opened my eyes and filled me with so much emotion.
Favorite book of 2021 and one of few to truly get 5 stars. Beautifully written, heart-breaking, and inspirational. I couldn’t put it down. Highly recommend that anyone should read this book.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Moving immigrant child story from Chinese woman who moved to NY as a 5-6 year old and her early years surviving in the shadows with her parents.
Thank you to the author, publisher and Net Galley for providing a free ebook copy of this title in exchange for my review.
This is a YA memoir about a Chinese immigrant's experience growing up in New York. The writing isn't always world building, but it feels real and honest and the author tells her story well. The inclusion of some Chinese phrases and conversations without English translation makes it tough to read - I've noticed similar situations to other titles published recently. I am happy to see other languages in books, but I would also like to know what is being said.
Memoir's are always difficult for me to rate. If this is someone's memory, their story, how can you rate that? If they feel emotional when writing so the wording isn't just perfect, who am I to rate that? I am grateful the author is willing and able to share her story with us.
This is a YA memoir about a Chinese immigrant's experience growing up in New York. The writing isn't always world building, but it feels real and honest and the author tells her story well. The inclusion of some Chinese phrases and conversations without English translation makes it tough to read - I've noticed similar situations to other titles published recently. I am happy to see other languages in books, but I would also like to know what is being said.
Memoir's are always difficult for me to rate. If this is someone's memory, their story, how can you rate that? If they feel emotional when writing so the wording isn't just perfect, who am I to rate that? I am grateful the author is willing and able to share her story with us.
A raw, brutally honest memoir from start to finish. I got “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” vibes from her story of poverty, family strife, and non-belonging. Wang combined this with the story of her cultural loss for a must read. This will appeal to all those looking for NYC immigrant stories.
I loved this memoir. I was so impressed by the author’s ability to tap into her younger self and tell her own story in such a delicate and beautiful way.
I was mesmerized by the author’s telling of her immigrant experience. Her detailed description of her childhood really captured the trials and tribulations, as well as the joys, and confusing circumstances that must accompany coming to a new place at such a young age.
This book definitely opened me up to some of my blind spots about what it must have been like for so many kids I was going to school with growing up around the same time as Qian. This book will open your eyes, maybe change your perspective and encourage empathy.
I was mesmerized by the author’s telling of her immigrant experience. Her detailed description of her childhood really captured the trials and tribulations, as well as the joys, and confusing circumstances that must accompany coming to a new place at such a young age.
This book definitely opened me up to some of my blind spots about what it must have been like for so many kids I was going to school with growing up around the same time as Qian. This book will open your eyes, maybe change your perspective and encourage empathy.
Qian’s story is one that resonated with me as a fellow product of an immigrant family living in America. However, her story was much more raw, tragic at times, and punctuated by the hardships only faced by those who come to the US undocumented with nothing but hope for a better life. I can’t say I’ve gone through the same types of struggles and level of poverty as Wang’s family did, but the underlying grit and determination seen in and valued by any immigrant family was palpable.
Wang writes beautifully and truthfully about her life in Brooklyn, and doesn’t compromise or filter the story through the lens of an adult reminiscing on their childhood. Seeing it through the eyes of a kid trying to make their way through the normal trials and tribulations of their formative school years, let alone as an illegal immigrant helping her struggling family, is so much more impactful, innocent, and honest. Wang’s pop culture references peppered throughout the story also bring the much needed levity to the story and reminds you this is all being told from the perspective of a 7-12 year old.
I’m glad that Wang and her family were able to come out the other side and were successful in building a better life. It does give the readers hope — but not blindly.
5/5 stars
Wang writes beautifully and truthfully about her life in Brooklyn, and doesn’t compromise or filter the story through the lens of an adult reminiscing on their childhood. Seeing it through the eyes of a kid trying to make their way through the normal trials and tribulations of their formative school years, let alone as an illegal immigrant helping her struggling family, is so much more impactful, innocent, and honest. Wang’s pop culture references peppered throughout the story also bring the much needed levity to the story and reminds you this is all being told from the perspective of a 7-12 year old.
I’m glad that Wang and her family were able to come out the other side and were successful in building a better life. It does give the readers hope — but not blindly.
5/5 stars