Great sports biography of a Japanese American athlete who paved the way for other Asian American basketball players. Of course, very cool that he is aGreat sports biography of a Japanese American athlete who paved the way for other Asian American basketball players. Of course, very cool that he is also from Utah. I think this book does a really nice job of pulling together a lot of information and is a good book for young readers. ...more
This is a fun and empathetic look at moving to an unfamiliar place where you don't know the language or customs. Based on Mei Yu's own experiences movThis is a fun and empathetic look at moving to an unfamiliar place where you don't know the language or customs. Based on Mei Yu's own experiences moving from China to Canada. Filled with emotions and Mei's slow acquisition of language, this is a charming book full of victories for Mei....more
A fusion picture book in the truest sense -- Max loves his family's Cantonese meals eaten on the special blue bowls his grandparents brought with themA fusion picture book in the truest sense -- Max loves his family's Cantonese meals eaten on the special blue bowls his grandparents brought with them from Hong Kong. But he can't help but also love his favorite American foods like tacos, burgers, french fries, and rainbow sprinkles. For his birthday this year, Max is hoping for spaghetti and meatballs -- his favorite Italian American food -- but he's sure that his grandparents won't make it. But on the night of his birthday, he is pleasantly surprised when his cousins have prepared a Cantonese Italian American feast complete with mango cake and rainbow sprinkles. Charming, heartening, and culturally relevant -- this story will likely ring true for many second-generation immigrants....more
This is a super cute realistic fiction novel about a Korean American girl who dreams of going to an elite art camp so she can become an artist. KnowinThis is a super cute realistic fiction novel about a Korean American girl who dreams of going to an elite art camp so she can become an artist. Knowing her parents can't afford the camp, but still determined to go, Gigi and her friends decide to start a tutoring buisness ala Babysitter's Club in order to raise the money. Things go well at first, but soon the girls run into struggles balancing the club, their friendships, and their own grades.
A quick and engaging read, this is a cute school story of friendship, first crushes, and growing up....more
Ying Chang Compestine's picture book memoir of growing up during the Chinese Cultural Revolution. This is a really gripping narrative that will have rYing Chang Compestine's picture book memoir of growing up during the Chinese Cultural Revolution. This is a really gripping narrative that will have readers eager to keep reading -- and keep learning more after about families living during Mao's 10 year revolution. The illustrations -- made to look like vintage Chinese propaganda posters are a really nice addition in creating a sense of setting....more
There can never be enough picture books about the Incarceration of Japanese Americans, and, honestly, there are far too few. But this one is exceptionThere can never be enough picture books about the Incarceration of Japanese Americans, and, honestly, there are far too few. But this one is exceptional. I'm not sure how many kids these days really know about Star Trek or know George Takei from his acting career, but I think it is wonderful that he is continuing to share his story as an American citizen incarcerated as a child because of his race -- and that many children will know him for those stories. Well illustrated, well-told -- this is a book that every child should know....more
Really lovely illustrations are the best part of this poignant and emotional picture book. Inspired a story from the author's childhood, this story isReally lovely illustrations are the best part of this poignant and emotional picture book. Inspired a story from the author's childhood, this story is about intergenerational misunderstandings and the divides between first and second generation immigrants. The story ends happier than the author's own story (shared in an author's note)....more
A story of pride in cultural differences, a child learns to take pride in what makes her family different. A child has complicated feelings about her A story of pride in cultural differences, a child learns to take pride in what makes her family different. A child has complicated feelings about her mother's sari which feels wonderful and soft and so like her Amma -- but also seems so out of place when no one else is wearing one. Embarrassed, a child tries to disappear in the crowd, but when she is lost, her Amm's sari's visibility is what helps her find her way back. Honoring the complex emotions that can come with cultural differences, this is a lovely book. ...more
I always love stories about how food keeps families together -- and bonus points for the recipe in the back. This book leaned a little too far into thI always love stories about how food keeps families together -- and bonus points for the recipe in the back. This book leaned a little too far into the rhyming for my taste, but the story is there....more
I love the story here -- so interesting! I don't love how the book is formatted. The design makes the text and illustrations feel disjointed and the dI love the story here -- so interesting! I don't love how the book is formatted. The design makes the text and illustrations feel disjointed and the digitally drawn illustrations are so uncanny. ...more
The child of an immigrant mother seeks to make her Mama feel at home in a snowy climate, where she clearly misses the mild winters of her home. After The child of an immigrant mother seeks to make her Mama feel at home in a snowy climate, where she clearly misses the mild winters of her home. After visiting Mama's home -- which turns out to be Taiwan -- the child understands why mama misses home in the winter. Back at their snowy home, she comes up with a way for Mama to appreciate nature around them back in their new home. This is a loving picture book that will resonate especially for families adjusting to a new home....more
I love books about children and their grandparents and this book, about a young narrator who loves their Tibetan Momo-La's summer visits, is great. OuI love books about children and their grandparents and this book, about a young narrator who loves their Tibetan Momo-La's summer visits, is great. Our narrator loves Momo-La's stories and collections of interesting things. When the narrator asks where these stories comes from, Momo-La takes them to places stories like to live -- in all kinds of museums. And, though the museum appreciation is slow going, they start to see pieces of Momo-La in these museums. Easy to read as a lap reader with a lesson about the importance of family connection, culture and history....more
Every book from Kao Kalia Yang gets better and better. She has an ability to open up raw and incredibly personal moments from her childhood in a way tEvery book from Kao Kalia Yang gets better and better. She has an ability to open up raw and incredibly personal moments from her childhood in a way that is accessible and affirming for other children who are struggling. The hopeful notes break through the sadness and an author's note adds further inspiration. This heartfelt story of struggling to fit in is powerful....more
Two best friends are brought together as toddlers when they bump into each other, knocking down the bock towers they were building separately. AgreeinTwo best friends are brought together as toddlers when they bump into each other, knocking down the bock towers they were building separately. Agreeing to build together instead, the two come up with a montage of wildly imaginative creations. Though their projects are always destroyed, they find that the fun is in building and in their friendship. A fun tribute to friendship and imagination by a real-life pair of friends. I doubt this book will be up for YMAs like previous collaborations from this pair, but it is suitable tribute all the same....more
Pia Xing, a shy and lonely middle schooler, has been looking forward to her summer plans all year. She is going on a good, old-fashioned road trip acrPia Xing, a shy and lonely middle schooler, has been looking forward to her summer plans all year. She is going on a good, old-fashioned road trip across the country to see Lake Cessarine -- a remarkable, underground bioluminescent wonder that is said to have magical powers. When her dad has to bail on their plans, Pia is determined to go herself, joining a tour group full of strangers. Along the way, they see wild roadside attractions and Pia starts to form a friendship with Sam, whose mom is tour-guide for the group. As the bus gets closer to Lake Cessarine, it is more and more obvious what is driving Pia to keep going -- the tragic passing of Pia's younger brother has left her family broken and wracked with grief. Can the mystical Lake Cessarine grant Pia a miracle and bring her brother back?
I don't know if the cover of this book -- which captures the fun, road trip California Crazy vibe -- really conveys the emotional depth of this book. At it's heart, this is a story about a young girl trying to navigate unspeakable pain after the death of her brother. This book will leave you in tears, but it will also fill you with hope -- as the story leaves the possibility of magic open. This book will blow you away. ...more
In the 1990s, Kevin Lee is just a regular Chinese Canadian middle schooler. He hates being the invisible kid at school, he hates that his former frienIn the 1990s, Kevin Lee is just a regular Chinese Canadian middle schooler. He hates being the invisible kid at school, he hates that his former friend and current (maybe) crush Lily hates his guts, he hates that his dad left him for a new family. He has a lot of gripes, but he isn't the only one. His Popo, his maternal grandmother, has just moved in with them and seems determined to whip the family into shape. His older sister Betty feels totally forgotten and resents having to share a room with her younger brother. And his mom spends all of her time trying to keep the family alteration business afloat and provide for her family. Kevin spends his days hiding in his comic books and looking forward to the class field trip to the amusement. But when he takes a Century egg to school one day, he suddenly becomes "Egg Boy" -- the center of attention. Suddenly, he finds himself stuck in the middle of a terrible week. This middle grade graphic novel is field with comedy and heart and the tension between a second generation kid and his first generation immigrant mother and grandmother. Filled with ups and downs, this plot is engaging and the characterization is especially well done. Personally, I didn't feel like the interjections of Kevin's comic he is writing added a ton to the story, but it was a compelling detail. The cultural details are handled really well. This is a solid graphic novel....more
Very cute and celebratory with a lot of sweet family love. Backmatter includes extra information for teachers about celebrating Lunar New Year as a clVery cute and celebratory with a lot of sweet family love. Backmatter includes extra information for teachers about celebrating Lunar New Year as a class....more
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