A review by pagingmrsvarnum
You Are Here: Connecting Flights by Ellen Oh

emotional hopeful fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

You are Here: Connecting Flights is a collection of twelve interwoven stories of Asian-American kids going through the Chicago airport on the same day. Each of these stories is written by a different author, and it is so impressive to see how seamlessly they blend together while still telling very individual stories from distinctly different points of view.

There is so much to love about this book. The representation of Asian-Americans is only the beginning. It depicts racist remarks and behavior that kids and adults experience every day - but the stories take this awareness a step further by empowering readers with methods to stand up for themselves and others. This book shows very real strategies to make change when faced with racism that kids can use in their own lives, whether they are being targeted or seeing someone else being targeted. It shows how broad the term “Asian-American” is, with each protagonist living very different lives with different backgrounds in diverse families. 

Kids are a lot smarter than many adults give them credit for, and they do not like being preached to. This book recognizes that and allows readers to draw their own conclusions based on the fast-paced story. Readers are invited into the action, and the message is so much more powerful as a result.

I will absolutely be purchasing this book for my home and school library, and I’ve already recommended it to several friends and family members. This would also make a great classroom read aloud and would spark some great discussion! Grades 3+

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins for this Advanced Reader’s Edition!


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