Reviews

Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths by Maisie Chan

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katykelly's review

5.0

Adorable cross-cultural story about familial love and growing up.

Oh how I loved this!! Danny is pretty lovely, a boy who loves drawing, playing knights and comics with his best friend, and trying to follow his Chinese parents' cultural guidelines. He knows they don't have much money, they work hard in their takeaway, and while he'd love to hang out with the popular boys, he doesn't feel cool enough.

Getting excited over the prospect of a bunk bed - sleepovers!! - he is soon brought down to earth when it transpires this extra berth in his room is not intended for friends - but for the grandmother he's never met, who can't speak a word of English!!

Forced to show her around, 'get to know her', entertain her, Danny reluctantly does his duty. Will he be able to live down the embarrassment?

Well.... I'll say here that Danny's grandmother may be one of my favourite characters ever in a children's book! There's a manic dream pixie quality to her, she's funny as heck without being able to speak to us, personality aplomb, comic episodes and bonding moments a-plenty.

Who knew bingo and fruit shops could be so exciting?!

Just loved it. Adored watching Danny's mind change about more than one thing, seeing him understand the value of family, of friends, of self-worth. There's a lovely second plot about another young person Danny knows as well as a maths competition, and Danny's grandma really does show the reader how elders should never be discounted. Readers may look at their own with new eyes after this.

I really really want this to be made into a TV series - it's lovely to see ethnically diverse families represented and so relatably, and it's rare to find cross-generational pairings that you feel such affection for instantly.

Wonderful. For ages 9-13.

gnowmes's review

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funny inspiring lighthearted relaxing 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

I look forward to recommending this book to my class.

feeling_rather_bookish's review

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funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

lolabella's review

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funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

melbsreads's review

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funny 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? Yes

4.0

Trigger warnings: racism, hospitalisation of a friend, medical emergency

A very sweet middle grade story about an 11 year old boy having to deal with difficulties at home and school when his grandmother migrates from China to live with them and he's forced to share his bedroom with her.

I liked the way it dealt with cultural expectations and with the struggles of an elder migrating to a country where she doesn't speak the language. I love the dynamic that develops between Danny and his grandmother, and the ways that she shows him how to find joy in things he struggles to enjoy (like maths).

The ending did feel a tad rushed and neatly tied up with a bow, but at the same time, it's a middle grade book so that kind of comes with the territory.