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droar 's review for:
The Legend of Auntie Po
by Shing Yin Khor
A beautifully told historical fiction (/new American myth) set in an 1880's logging camp with a queer Chinese American protagonist finding her way in the world. I love that while Mei is surrounded by people who love her Khor points out that love alone won't change the way things are. Hels (the camp leader) clearly cares for Mei and her father (Mr. Hao), even calls them family, but when push comes to shove he fires Mr. Hao rather than risking the ire of the company that oversees his camp. Sure he eventually changes his mind, but only when he realizes his camp is miserable from the lack of good food. It's just so solidly real, even with the giant woman and blue water buffalo popping up occasionally, and so solidly hopeful. Not everything turns out good and terrible things happen, but Mei finds her way. I had a few quibbles with the abruptness of some scenes (why is Henry's mom so mad about the big hoof prints? It just seems like we're missing a page or some panels), but over all this is such a solid read!