No Purchase Necessary by Maria Marianayagam - ESSENTIAL

No Purchase Necessary by Maria Marianayagam, 256 pages. HarperCollins, 2025. $19

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (Bullying, fight which draws blood)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

13yo Ajay is a very good student. Ajay's parents have very high expectations and the family has many rules, including As only, no friends, and school comes first. But when Jacob a popular boy who bullies AJ asks him to steal a candy bar from the convenience store, Ajay hopes Jacob will finally stop bothering him and others will think he's cool if he does. When the stolen candy bar is not accepted by Jacob, and Ajay opens it to find he's won the grand prize, a million dollars, Ajay is morally conflicted and, for the first time, lies to his parents. Ajay is always striving to be the best, the best son, the best brother, the best student - it's a lot of pressure.

I loved No Purchase Necessary. A wonderful coming-of-age story with some poor choices mixed in. I couldn't put it down. The premise - what if you won a million dollars and couldn't claim it or even tell anyone - was original, and the story was heartfelt.

Ajay's parents are immigrants from Sri Lanka, he and his sister are first-generation Americans

Lisa Librarian 

Isabel in Bloom by Mae Respicio - ADVISABLE

Isabel in Bloom by Mae Respicio, 364 pages. NOVEL IN VERSE Random House, 2024. $18.

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

11yo Isabel has recently moved to California from the Philippines to finally live with her mother. To provide a better life, Isabel's mom has been working in the States for the last 6 years and sending money back to Isabel and her grandparents. When she left, her grandfather told her to look for things in America that are familiar, but even her mother is no longer familiar. Joining a cooking club at school and helping revive the school garden may be just the thing Isabel needs to finally feel at home and make some friends. 

Isabel is a darling girl with grit - her grandparents have prepared her well for her move to America, including a bottle full of the smell of home. While I enjoy novels in verse, sometimes they tell a story that lacks depth; I felt that with this one. There was so much I didn't know, relationships that could have been better developed with more text, particularly Isabel's relationship with her mother.

Lisa Librarian 

Pilgrim Codex by Vivian Mansour, Emmanuel Valtierra, and Carlos Rodrigues Cortez - OPTIONAL

Pilgrim Codex by Vivian Mansour, Emmanuel Valtierra, and Carlos Rodrigues Cortez. Levine Querido, 2025. $19. 9781646145157 

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

The Vargas family embarks on a dangerous journey from their home across a desert. Aided by their own wits and bravery, and Coyotes to get them past the hardest part - the family is desperate to leave their situation and come to a land where they can dream. 

Told from the perspective of a young boy and written as a nod to the ancient Mesoamerican codex - the illustrations are reminiscent of the art of the Aztec and Mayan people. The initial pages read as though partially in code, like a poetic beginning of an odyssey. I was afraid I wouldn't connect, but soon the story made itself clear, and I joined the family on their journey. Although the size of a child's picture book, the intended audience is more appropriately set at upper elementary. The characters are from Central America or Mexico 

Lisa Librarian 

Don't Cause Trouble by Arree Chung - ADVISABLE

Don't Cause Trouble by Arree Chung, 256 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Henry Holt Books for Young Readers (Macmillan), 2025. $15

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

12yo Ming Lee hopes to make a fresh start in middle school. But with the haircut his mom insists on and the thrift-store clothes he wears, things aren’t looking promising. His dad is also constantly reminding him to get good grades and stay out of trouble. Middle school may have started off awkward and painful, but Ming already has ideas for turning things around.

A warmhearted story about a boy growing up with immigrant parents. The story captures the challenges of fitting in while honoring family. Ming tries his best to make his parents proud, stumbling at times but never giving up. I really enjoyed both the story and the illustrations. Ming is Chinese-American

Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian 

Don't Cause Trouble by Arree Chung - ESSENTIAL

Don't Cause Trouble by Arree Chung, 240 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Henry Holt (Macmillan), 2025. $23. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G. 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

12yo Ming wants to meet his parent's expectations. "Get good grades" "Be a good boy" and "Don't cause trouble." But starting middle school is hard. He has the same bowl haircut his mom has always given him, and his clothes have been bought at a thrift store. He knows he has no chance of being popular. Starting the year in an ESL class he doesn't need (he doesn't speak Chinese and was born in the United States), he makes friends in the cafeteria - Marcus and Vikrum. Ming isn't popular, but school is so much better with friends. 

Don't Cause Trouble is a great story about trying to fit in. Ming's parents struggle to make money, his mother's cleaning job includes dealing with a racist who continually calls her bad words (represented in characters). Ming is also desperate to make money, trying to sell his Halloween candy. He's not an immigrant, his parents are, and we learn their back story. I know my middle school population can relate. Ming's family is Chinese. 

Lisa Librarian 

Halfway to Somewhere by Jose Pimienta - ADVISABLE

Halfway to Somewhere by Jose Pimienta, 254 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL RH Graphic Random House, 2025. $22 

Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Ave is 12yo when they and their 9yo brother move from Mexicali to Kansas with their mom. Ave has only half a family, since her father and older sister are staying in Mexico. Ave also feels like they only have half a language, since their English isn't the best. A new school, a new country, and new family dynamics make it hard for Ave to find a place to fit in. 

Even though Ave is nonbinary, the focus is on fitting into a new culture without losing your own. The author drew a lot from conversations about people's Mexican heritage, so the dialogue rings true. This would be a good jumping off book to discuss how students from other cultures feel about assimilation or preserving traditions.There are non-translated Spanish phrases that the reader is left to figure out through context clues that adds to the cultural authenticity. Though Ave's parents divorce, the ending is positive and Ave shows what it's like to work through difficult situations. A good companion book to Pimienta's book, "Twin Cities." Ave is a nonbinary Mexican. 

Michelle in the Middle 

On the Block, Stories of Home edited by Ellen Oh - ESSENTIAL

On the Block, Stories of Home edited by Ellen Oh, 208 pages. Random House, 2024. $18.

Language: PG (2 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G (There's an angry old man who lives in the apartment) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Lila has just moved to the Entrada from Trinidad, her parents keep telling her that things will be better in America, she doesn't see it that way. Lenny's parents own the building, and makes the mistake of telling that to the kids, now they think he's saying he's better than them. Amira finds a stray dog, Yaniel is making everyone eat popsicles to help him collect enough sticks to build his bridge project. 12 stories that all take place in the same apartment building. 

The children are about the same ages, and many go to the same school. Like Flying Lessons each story is written by a different diverse author, including Ellen Oh, Minh Lê, David Bowles and Erin Entrada Kelly. I loved how, like children interact, they were in each other's stories, and some stories even intersected. Brilliant. A super fun read, I can see this being used in a classroom setting, great themes of family, friendships, and the immigrant experience, along with culture and apartment living. Most of the children are immigrants or from immigrant families 

Lisa Librarian 

Magnolia Wu Unfolds it All by Chanel Miller - ADVISABLE

Magnolia Wu Unfolds it All by Chanel Miller, 145 pages. Philomel (Penguin), 2024. $18.

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G (mention of raging father and difficult parents)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

9yo Magnolia lives with her parents in an apartment above the Laundromat they own in New York City.  Her life revolves around the Laundromat, especially in the summer when she's not at school. She collects the "lost socks" and pins them to a bulletin board, but when no one claims any of them, her new friend Iris suggests they become Sock Detectives and  try to return the socks themselves.

I loved the premise, but I didn't expect all the great lessons the girls learned about what happens when you get to know someone and the surprising and interesting things they don't share until you do. I loved the community created by a laundromat. Magnolia's parents are Chinese immigrants.

Lisa Librarian

Continental Drifter by Kathy Macleod - ADVISABLE

Continental Drifter by Kathy Macleod, 

224 pages. BIOGRAPHY, GRAPHIC NOVEL First Second (Macmillan), 2024. $23. 9781250813732

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

11yo Kathy lives in Thailand with her American father, Thai mother and sister.  Every few years the family takes a vacation to Maine to visit with Kathy's father's extended family.  She loves these trips. Kathy doesn't feel like she fits in anywhere. She speaks English and she attends an international school in Thailand, but none of her friends are like her there. In her neighborhood, a boy tells her she isn't American because she doesn't have blue eyes. Although Kathy speaks English with an American accent, she finds she doesn't fit in at summer camp in Maine either.  Where does Kathy belong?

Kathy Macloud's childhood memories make a really good graphic novel.  I love her spunk and attitude, especially when she feels annoyed.  She's a strong kid.  I loved her camp experience. Her cabin mates (unfortunately) act as expected - for American kids, and Kathy feels othered.  She has a great advisor at camp, and some marvelous aunts as well. A great empathy builder as well as a window for my new arrivals.

Lisa Librarian

The New Girl by Cassandra Calin - ADVISABLE

The New Girl by Cassandra Calin, 272 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Graphix (Scholastic), 2024. $13 

Language: G (0 swears) Mature Content: PG (menstruation issues) Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Lia is 12yo and flying from Romania to Canada, her new home, when she has her first period in the airport. Lia gets terrible cramps with her periods. So not only does Lia have to adjust to a new country and language, she also has to adjust to changes in her body. 

 The illustrations are well done and add to the story. Based on the author's own experiences, the story is very authentic. The speech bubbles are sometimes just scribbles with only the words in print that Lia understands, which highlights how difficult it would be to learn a new language. Anyone who is new to a school should be able to empathize with Lia, especially those coming from other cultures. Lia's difficult periods are addressed, which isn't a topic often brought up in books. Lia is Romanian and her friends come from all different cultures. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Summer at Squee by Andrea Wang - OPTIONAL

Summer at Squee by Andrea Wang. 320 pages. Middle Grade Kokila (Penguin), 2024. $19.

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G (crushes); Violence: G. 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

13yo Phoenny Fang is so excited for summer camp this year. She and her best friend Lyrica have been going for years, and have a special in because their mothers are the directors. It's a Chinese cultural heritage camp the kids call Squee. This is Phoenny's last year because she's going into 8th grade, and it promises to be the best. But when she arrives, she finds her regular group has been broken up because there are some new campers - a group of girls who were adopted from China. Their arrival is met with mixed emotions from both the new girls and the seasoned campers, and everyone seems to get off on the wrong foot. There's a possibility of a summer romance as well, as one of the new counselors in training - a boy recently moved from Hong Kong, seems to have his eye on Phoenny, but dating is strictly off-limits. 

I haven't seen many books about adopted Chinese orphans - although I know several families who have children from China. I liked the discussions the campers had with their advisors, especially about their feelings for their culture and whether or not they felt Asian enough. I loved the classes they took - this camp really looks like a lot of fun! There's a lot going on, with so many characters, a couple of side stories could have been removed to help the reader keep track. There's a long distance runner, a camper questioning her identity, an allergy scare, and a social media troll who shakes up the camp's sense of security, lots of different teachers and leaders and extra drama - I didn't feel it was all necessary. The characters are culturally or ethnically Chinese. 

Lisa Librarian 

Finally Heard by Kelly Yang - ESSENTIAL

Finally Heard (Finally Seen #2) by Kelly Yang, 339 pages. Simon and Schuster, 2024. $19. 

Language: PG (9 Swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G (mature meanings of some emojis are eluded to, but not identified; Lina is beginning to mature and is very self-conscious about her changing body.); Violence: G. 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

10yo Lina and her friend Carly seem to be the only 5th graders without a phone. But when Lina's mom discovers that social media can help grow her business, Lina gets a phone to help film videos for her. She soon discovers the allure of social media, and wants desperately to join Discord, and be part of a group chat. She soon discovers that her friends act differently in a group chat, saying things online they would never say in real life. 

I so want my 12-14yos to read Finally Heard, and I hope they won't be turned away by the ages of Lina and her friends. Yang's story is engaging and relevant and I loved that their teacher was fostering discussions about brain chemistry and why the children are becoming addicted to social media. The author's note, including essential research on social media and kids, is directed more to parents and teachers than the intended readers. It's almost as if Yang anticipated Finally Heard as a class novel and included a teacher study guide. While it continues Lina's immigration story,  reading Finally Seen is not necessary, although highly recommended. Lina is Chinese. 

Lisa Librarian 

Mascot by Charles Waters and Traci Sorell - ESSENTIAL

Mascot by Charles Waters and Traci Sorell, 256 pages. Charlesbridge/Imagine, 2023 $18.00 Language: G (references to racist words, but nothing overtly offensive); Mature Content: G. Violence: G. 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

When the 8th-grade honor's language arts class is given a debate topic - "Pros and Cons of Indigenous Peoples as Mascots", the kids, and their families, take sides because their local high school has “The Braves” for their mascot. One group of middle school students takes the issue to the school board; they want the high school mascot - "The Braves" - removed. 

 Written in verse and from multiple perspectives, Sorell and Waters weave a great story. The middle schoolers are a group of students Callie, who is Cherokee, Priya whose family is from India, Franklin is Black, Luis is from El Salvador and Sean and Tessa who are white. I love that all the students aren't on board with removing the mascot, in fact, some are actively opposed. I liked the friendship and family drama it caused. I would think it would make an interesting classroom novel. 

Lisa Librarian

Finally Seen by Kelly Yang - ADVISABLE

Finally Seen by Kelly Yang, 304 pages. Simon and Schuster. 2023. $18 

 Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G (reference to racial based bullying). 

BUYING ADVISORY:  EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Lina was left in China with her grandmother when her parents and younger sister moved to the states so Lina’s father could get his college degree. She hasn't seen her family in 5 years, but Lina's grandmother is moving to a care facility, so Lina needs to join her parents and sister in California. New to the country, and with limited English skills, Lina discovers that her family wasn’t honest about their situation in California - they are struggling to make ends meet. Entering 5th grade with limited English skills, Lina finds herself struggling to make friends, and even communicate. Lina’s art skills put her in direct competition with Jessica, the class “mean girl,” and the boy who is supposed to help translate only speaks menu Chinese. 

I love all the book mentions! "Swing it Sunny", "Pie in the Sky", "The First Rule of Punk" and several others. I loved her sessions with the ELL teacher. I love that the kids saw lessons in the books they were reading. There's a "book challenge" within the story - I love that Yang used a fictional book for this one. "Finally Seen" would be a great read aloud for a class needing to build empathy, or as a recommendation for a bilingual student who can read it on their own - I hope Simon and Schuster translates into several different languages. Lina is Chinese. 

Lisa Librarian

Parachute Kids by Betty C. Tang - ADVISABLE

Parachute Kids by Betty C. Tang, 288 GRAPHIC NOVEL graphix Scholastic. 2023 $13 

Language: G;  Mature Content: G: (teen cigarette use) Violence: PG: (kid gets beat up).  

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

10yo Feng-Li is excited to come to America from Taiwan for a dream vacation.  She and her older brother and sister are stunned when the vacation turns into living in America.  Feng-Li gets an American name: Ann.  Due to problems with their visas, Ann's parents have to return to Taiwan, leaving the three siblings on their own.  The three must come together in order to survive and to adjust to a new culture and new schools as Ann drops into 5th grade and her brother and sister high school.  They also need to run a household and make new friends, all while learning a new language.  

The happy cover is a bit deceptive. This graphic novel tackles some serious issues. I had never heard of parachute kids before, but it refers to children from Asia who have been "dropped off" with friends or relatives in foreign countries while their parents stay behind. Ann's brother falls in with some rough kids and there is a moment when he tries to kiss another boy. Interesting read about family and coping. 

Michelle in the Middle

Maizy Chen's Last Chance by Lisa Yee - ADVISABLE

Maizy Chen's Last Chance by Lisa Yee, 288 pages. Random House. 2022. $17 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (racist language). 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

12yo Maizy is visiting her grandparents in Last Chance, Minnesota for the first time. They own a Chinese restaurant called the Golden Palace, and it's a town favorite. She and her mom just planned to stay for a bit - Opa is sick, and maybe Mom being there can help him get better, but a couple of weeks turns into the whole summer as he is worse off than they thought. The Golden Palace is over 100 years old and is full of history. So is Opa. Afternoons when Maizy is staying with him, he teaches her how to play poker but sometimes, he tells her about his grandfather, a Chinese immigrant named Lucky, who settled in Last Chance and made a difference. 

I loved the tidbits of history, the poker skills that worked as restaurant skills and were also people skills. I loved how brave and confident Maizy was as she stood up to bullies and made friends. There's a nice little mystery when someone steals a large bear statue that has stood outside the restaurant and leaves a racist note in its place. Readers who like Yang's Front Desk series will love Maizy, plus, there's a restaurant so there's a lot of food content as well. Minor LGBT character, Maizy is Chinese. 

Lisa Librarian 

Key Player (Front Desk #4) by Kelly Yang - ADVISABLE

Key Player (Front Desk #4) by Kelly Yang, 274 pages. Scholastic Press (Scholastic). 2022 $18.

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

The world cup is coming to Los Angeles, and Mia is so excited because the Chinese Women's team will be playing against the Americans! She has started playing soccer in P.E. (after years of avoiding sports because they were dangerous and her parents didn't have insurance) but Mia's athletic confidence is low and she really needs a passing grade. Maybe she can get an interview with one of the world cup teams and publish her story in the school paper! Also, her parents are looking for a house - no more living in the motel - but they are running into roadblocks as real estate agents don't seem to want to represent a Chinese family. 

 I continue to love this series. I love that the books stand alone, resolving nicely, but then Kelly Yang gets Mia and her friends into another pickle and away we go! Mr. Yao is back - ooh, I didn't like him in book one - but we start to see him differently. So many parts of Key Player are directly connected to the others in the series, so be sure you have 1-3 on your shelves as well. Family Ties - Family-focused drama Mia and her family are Chinese, as are Jason and his father. Lupe is Hispanic, Hank is Black. 

Lisa Librarian

Somewhere Sisters by Erika Hayasaki - ADVISABLE

Somewhere Sisters by Erika Hayasaki, 320 pages. NONFICTION. Algonquin Books, 2022. $28.

Language: PG-13 (16 swears, 1 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Isabella, Hà, and Olivia are sisters. All three are Vietnamese and were adopted when their biological parents couldn’t take care of them. Two were adopted from the same orphanage by an American family, and one was rejected by the orphanage and was instead raised by an aunt and her partner in Vietnam. These three girls struggle with identity, rejection, education, and more – and their stories aren’t over yet.

Hayasaki interviewed these girls and what she refers to as their constellation of family members. She also gives readers context by including lots of research regarding the political and social environments in both America and Vietnam that led to the adoption of these girls and regarding behavioral science, especially the theories and experiments having to do with twins. While the story and information is real, Hayasaki has written in a format that was easier to read than I was expecting – I even enjoyed reading the chapters about research! I feel like I have gained knowledge about my country, my identity, my family, and my hopes for the future – for me, for America, and for the world.

The main characters are American and Vietnamese, though they also relate their experiences with others of various races. Hayasaki also references adoption and twin experiences from and in other countries. The mature content rating is for discussions of war, poverty, abortion and miscarriages; mention of prostitutes, sex, and drugs; and alcohol use, including underage drinking. The violence rating is for brief discussion of suicide as well as for mentions of child abuse and implied murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Twin Cities by Jose Pimienta - ESSENTIAL

 Twin Cities by Jose Pimienta. 250 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. RH Graphic (Penquin Random House). 2022. $21.

Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content PG (character pressured to sell marijuana); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Hispanic twins, Fernando and Teresa, get to decide which middle school they want to go to. Fernando decides to stay local in Mexicali, Mexico, and Teresa decides to cross the border into Calexico, California. This decision has a bigger impact on the twins than they thought and both middle schools present a different range of challenges for the twins, who find themselves becoming more separated than they thought. 

Loved the juxtaposition of the two cultures separated by a border. This book also explores what it means to be part of a family and what part heritage and culture play in one’s life. It also raises questions about where loyalties lie when there’s more than one culture vying for attention. Based on the author’s experience growing up, this is a fascinating look at a border city and the people who live on both sides. 

Michelle in the Middle 

New From Here by Kelly Yang - ESSENTIAL

New From Here by Kelly Yang, 361 pages. Simon and Schuster, 2022. $18 

Language: G; (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (bullying, racist language).

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

10yo Knox Wei-Evans was living in Hong Kong with his family as the novel COVID-19 virus began to spread in China. Concerned for the family's health and safety, Knox's mom decides to take the children to their home in California. Knox doesn't get along well with his older brother 12yo Bowen, and he has had to leave his dad (who is his best friend) behind. Bowen hates middle school, and their younger sister Lea is having trouble making friends. Even Knox, who has a caring teacher, and a new friend, is facing racism as kids are targeting the Evans kids because they are Asian. 

It isn't too soon for COVID-19 children's fiction.  More a story about Knox who didn't know he had ADHD until he overheard his mother enrolling him in public school, than his brother and sister. I appreciated that Kelly Yang wrote from experience, not only the COVID-19 experience but also showed how the children face racism at school. Covid Tag was horrible. I can only imagine what Bowen was subjected to, as he kept what was going on at school to himself. We only got a glimpse at his track meets.  With Knox as the central character, this is placed solidly in upper elementary, so l was a bit daunted by the page count, however, the chapters are short, making it more accessible. I believe that it would appeal to a middle school audience as well. Yang's Front Desk series is popular, I'm excited to recommend this as well. Knox's family is Asian

Lisa Librarian