Sunday, April 21, 2024

Alterations by Ray Xu - ADVISABLE

Alterations
by Ray Xu
, 238 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Union Square, 2024. $25 

Content: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO SOME 

Kevin is in middle school and is struggling to fit it. He is one of the few Asian kids at his Canadian school and he thinks his grandmother, who has just recently arrived from China, is weird. Kevin's single mother is struggling to make ends meet, his older sister resents him, and he is picked on in school. Kevin thinks he might be able to make things better at the class trip to the local amusement park. 

Kevin is a believable character, based off the author's childhood. Most readers will be able to relate to the common issues he faces, such as family issues, bullying, and finding one's place. While all of Kevin's problems don't magically go away, the book ends on a positive, realistic note. Kevin is of Chinese descent. 

 Michelle in the Middle 

No comments: