Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
Finally Seen (Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2023) by Kelly Yang is so so goood!! It’s hard to tell you how much I like it. 😉
Ten-year-old Lina Gao has been living in China with her grandmother, Lao Lao, and finally gets to go live in America with her parents and younger sister who left five years ago. But all is not well in Los Angeles. Things are definitely not what she expected. Like her English being good enough. And her sister in all the family pictures, but none of her. Have her parents even missed her? Plus, Lina feels guilty about leaving Lao Lao behind.
This character and her situation felt so real. I loved seeing how Lina grew and changed and how she changed things around her.
Kelly Yang is an award winning and bestselling author. On her Finally Seen page, she asks kids what books make them feel seen. Check out her books here and scroll to the bottom to read the FAQs.
(Previously I recommended her book Front Desk here.)
I love Kelly Yang’s authentic, relatable MG books. Thank you for sharing her link to ‘tweens’ responses to books where they are “finally seen.” From these MG readers, I gain inspiration for own writing.
Beth
Very cool!
This sounds such a difficult situation for poor Lina! I’m sure it’s one many kids can relate to! Thanks for sharing!
I had so much sympathy for her reading this book.
I have read and enjoyed other books by Kelly Yang. I definitely need to read this one soon. Great review!
Woo hoo!
I like your short and snappy reviews that really tell you the crux of the story. I need to learn how to do that! This sounds like a very authentic book.
I have a friend who is similar to me–we often have short responses to people. So, I guess it’s my nature to just get the info out there. ha ha
I’ve had this on my TBR list for way too long. Your review has me even more anxious to begin reading. Thanks for being a part of MMGM this week.
Great!
I really like Kelly Yang’s books. This one sounds terrific. I can’t imagine a child being left behind so far away for so long. That is a great premise for a story. Thanks for telling me about it.
Incredible, right?
Wow! I can’t imagine what it must be like to be separated from your family for 5 years! This book does sound good.
Me neither!