A review by awelsh
Pie in the Sky by Remy Lai

emotional funny hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

If you ever had to move to a different town and begin at a new school when you were young, then you know how scary and upsetting it can be. Imagine moving to a different country, not speaking the language well, and trying to navigate a new school! This is the situation we find our main character, Jingwen, dealing with in Pie in the Sky. His family has moved to Australia and left his beloved grandparents at home. Jingwen has a limited grasp on English and feels like those around him are aliens speaking Martian. A lot gets lost in translation, school is torture for him, and he doesn’t even want to try to make friends because they won’t understand him. On top of these burdens, Jingwen carries a lot of pain with him due to his father’s death two years prior. So how does a twelve year old deal with all of this? He makes cakes! The illustrations lend a lot to the story, depicting aliens when Jingwen does not understand those around him, or when he himself feels like an outsider. The relationship Jingwen has with his younger brother is extremely relatable, as is his single mother trying to do the best for her children. The ways in which they sometimes don’t understand each other is heartbreaking and moving. Jingwen describes his grief and confusion as seashells in his pocket, which fluctuate in weight as the story progresses. This book was chosen as part of our Lunch with a Librarian program for fourth grade, and I recommend it to anyone who wants an engaging read that builds empathy and helps us walk a mile in another’s shoes.