The Not-So-Uniform Life of Holly-Mei by Christina Matula - ADVISABLE

 The Not-So-Uniform Life of Holly-Mei by Christina Matula, 268 pages. Inkyard Press, 2022. $17.

Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

12yo Holly-Mei is always blurting out things and getting herself into trouble, which is why her friends aren’t talking to her at the moment. She thinks there couldn’t be anything worse until her mom tells the family she got a promotion at work and they are relocating to Hong Kong. Holly-Mei isn’t excited about going, but when the cold shoulder from her friends doesn’t look like it’s stopping anytime soon, she jumps into moving with both feet. What could be more exciting than an opportunity to live abroad and make new friends? Her Ah-ma (grandma) warns her that moving and making friends can be both bitter and sweet and that there will be an adjustment period, but Holly-Mei is convinced the move will be so wonderful that she barely registers what her grandma says. Next thing she knows, her family is in Hong Kong, she has started a new school and has already been invited to a party. Unfortunately, an incident at the party leaves Holly-Mei wondering if her Ah-ma might have been right. 

Matula writes a story that touches on friendship, family and trying new things, with an added glimpse of life in Hong Kong. It was engaging, the characters were relatable, and the story was realistic. Holly-Mei has a good relationship with her sister and a support system from both her parents and her grandma. A handful of terms throughout the story that may be unfamiliar to the reader, but it won’t hinder their understanding and the author includes a glossary of terms and a few recipes from the story. 

Reviewer: RB