Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (animal attack, injured dog, some illustrations depicting blood)
15yo Ash has recently come out as non-binary and changed their name. They feel like no one listens to them, that their parents try to be supportive but don't really understand. At school, Ash tries to make a difference - they are really concerned about the environment, but they aren't even allowed to post signs indicating where students should put their recycling. Learning that their family is planning a Disney vacation for the summer, instead of their usual trip to their grandfather's farm because their Uncle plans to sell it, Ash is desperate for one last visit. There's family lore that Grandfather built a secret cabin in the wilderness there, and Ash plans to find it and run away forever.
BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
15yo Ash has recently come out as non-binary and changed their name. They feel like no one listens to them, that their parents try to be supportive but don't really understand. At school, Ash tries to make a difference - they are really concerned about the environment, but they aren't even allowed to post signs indicating where students should put their recycling. Learning that their family is planning a Disney vacation for the summer, instead of their usual trip to their grandfather's farm because their Uncle plans to sell it, Ash is desperate for one last visit. There's family lore that Grandfather built a secret cabin in the wilderness there, and Ash plans to find it and run away forever.
Jen Wag's storytelling is so well done. Not in a traditional panel format, much of the story is Ash relating their experience as if in a journal with marvelous full color illustrations throughout. Funny to come across this as I recently read Brian's Winter and My Side of the Mountain. Ash's story is a great modern version of a child surviving alone in the wilderness. I love that Ash prepared well, watching online videos and reading blogs, as well as going to the library and bringing reference books with them as part of their survival kit. I would certainly recommend Ash's Cabin to both readers looking for an adventure, as well as Jen Wang's LGBTQIA fanbase. I believe Ash is non-binary as well as being a descendant of Chinese immigrants.
Lisa Librarian
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