A review by dmtcer
Fly on the Wall by Remy Lai

5.0

This is a fantastic read for middle grade readers. Henry is 12, and is babied by his family. He longs to have friends and to fit in, but it seems every time he tries his family swoops in and overprotects him. Henry plans an elaborate adventure, which involves the help of his former BFF, Pheeb. Told in a mixture of words and illustration, this book will appease both lovers of graphic novels and written word.

Henry's adventure takes him on a journey of self-discovery. He discovers new friends, and learns that his vision has not always been clear. It is a story of accidental-on-purpose cyber bullying and the ramifications of what it feels like to be caught at it. it is also the story of families who hover and overprotect...and those who do not.

Henry's mother is Australian, his father is from Singapore, and his Popo (grandmother) is Chinese. I love the Mandarin dialect introduced, but even more, I love the addition of Chinese writing on the page whenever Popo speaks (subtitled in English as well). Really great touch, especially for children who may know both languages or is just curious about Chinese characters.

This is a great story, presented in a great way. It will be a welcome addition to any middle grade school library!