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Book Synopsis“The little girl I was would have been thrilled to encounter Meilan... having found a character who embraces the complexity of being both Chinese and American, I would have been able to echo her words: ''I am not alone.''”
—New York Times Book Review by Jean Kwok
A family feud before the start of seventh grade propels Meilan from Boston''s Chinatown to rural Ohio, where she must tap into her inner strength and sense of justice to make a new place for herself in this resonant debut.Meilan Hua''s world is made up of a few key ingredients: her family''s beloved matriarch, Nai Nai; the bakery her parents, aunts, and uncles own and run in Boston''s Chinatown; and her favorite Chinese fairy tales.
After Nai Nai passes, the family has a falling-out that sends Meilan, her parents, and her grieving grandfather on the road in search of a new home. They take a winding path across the country before landing in Redbud, Ohi
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New York Times Best Children’s Books of 2021
2021 New York Public Library Best Books
2021 School Library Journal Best Books
2021 Center for the Study of Multicultural Literature Best Books
2023-2024 South Carolina Book Awards Nominee
2023-24Choose to Read Ohio Reading List
2022 NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Books List
★ "Wang’s resonant middle grade debut features stunning prose and a fierce protagonist . . . Meilan’s journey to reclaiming her identity and finding her inner strength is remarkably compelling and relatable."
—Booklist, starred review ★ "Wang’s middle grade debut is a vibrant exploration of family and identity . . . Meilan’s story should be on library shelves everywhere."
—School Library Journal, starred review “The little girl I was would have been thrilled to encounter Meilan and her many names in a book . . . and having found a character who embraces the complexity of being both Chinese and American, I would have been able to echo her words: ‘I am not alone.’ ”
—New York Times Book Review by Jean Kwok"Meilan discovers the specific origins of her name—and, satisfyingly, the strength to proudly stand her ground."
—Horn Book Magazine "Underscores the importance of personal stories."
—Kirkus Reviews
