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As my sister says, this book made me "feel seen."
The main character, Christine, has a lot of pressure from her Taiwanese/Chinese-American parents to follow a certain path in life. She makes a friend who has a very different family culture and outlook, although both girls are Asian American.
Lots of food scenes. XD
Jeremy Lin reference?
The main character, Christine, has a lot of pressure from her Taiwanese/Chinese-American parents to follow a certain path in life. She makes a friend who has a very different family culture and outlook, although both girls are Asian American.
Lots of food scenes. XD
Jeremy Lin reference?
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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:
Yes
challenging
hopeful
reflective
fast-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
medium-paced
emotional
relaxing
I totally underestimated this book by inadvertently judging it by its cover as a "kids" book. It was really nice to read a story that talked about different experiences of being Asian American, and the way in which we navigate that identity depending on the communities and families we're a part of without being too overbearing. Wang's afterward was particularly touching. I definitely related (and still relate to) "If I wasn't like the other Asian American kids, who was I supposed to be like?"
Anyways, even without relating to all that, I think it's likely still an enjoyable and relatable read about navigating friendship, family, and identity.
Definitely a cool bonus that I recognized at least one of the "background" asian places Wang inserts into the bookâso many memories going to that large asian strip mall to get groceries and bootleg Sailor Moon stuff, and other LA locales.... :)
Anyways, even without relating to all that, I think it's likely still an enjoyable and relatable read about navigating friendship, family, and identity.
Definitely a cool bonus that I recognized at least one of the "background" asian places Wang inserts into the bookâso many memories going to that large asian strip mall to get groceries and bootleg Sailor Moon stuff, and other LA locales.... :)
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
fast-paced
Oh my word. I loved this one. The main character's family decides to help a single mom in their community by letting them stay in the small detached apartment on their property. The main character does not really want them to do this because her other friends think that the daughter, Moon, is odd and a bit intimidating. She has a reputation for being loud and for supposedly beating people up. When the main character starts to get to know Moon, she quickly realizes that Moon's reputation is all wrong and they start to become friends. The story gets really emotional when something happens to Moon, something based on the author's own childhood experience, which forces the main character to do some deep reflection. This one will definitely go on my classroom shelves.
What a fantastic story about being different & being friends & being yourself!