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A review by laura_cs
American Panda by Gloria Chao
5.0
I love Mei. I love Mei, and how she grows as a character. She starts as a bit meek and very sheltered, and easily embarrassed. She tries to make friends and it doesn’t go well. But she’s got a kind heart, something that makes her stand out. She wants to be brave, she wants to tell her parents that she doesn’t feel comfortable with the plan they have for her, and she tries so hard several times to do so. But what I love most is that as Mei becomes more comfortable with herself and grows, her MOM does too! Their relationship becomes stronger and I just love that!
Then there’s also a ton of family drama, but also a lot of fun stuff that makes you keep rooting for Mei! I ended up finishing this book in one day, and it was brilliant and beautiful and made me laugh and cry and get angry and also so so happy
Favorite part: Mei teaching a young adopted Chinese girl traditional dances! As the older sister of an international adoptee, I know how important these cultural connections are, and it was such a positive experience for both Mei and the little girl. For Mei, this was a culture she had grown up with and knew inside and out her whole life, but for the little girl it was a whole new world and Mei was so excited to share it with her, especially since it included dance, which is what makes her the happiest.
Then there’s also a ton of family drama, but also a lot of fun stuff that makes you keep rooting for Mei! I ended up finishing this book in one day, and it was brilliant and beautiful and made me laugh and cry and get angry and also so so happy
Favorite part: Mei teaching a young adopted Chinese girl traditional dances! As the older sister of an international adoptee, I know how important these cultural connections are, and it was such a positive experience for both Mei and the little girl. For Mei, this was a culture she had grown up with and knew inside and out her whole life, but for the little girl it was a whole new world and Mei was so excited to share it with her, especially since it included dance, which is what makes her the happiest.