About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is feeling the friction of a changing household or struggling to connect with a family member across a language or generational gap. It is a heartwarming and humorous look at Danny, an eleven year old boy whose life is disrupted when his grandmother moves from China into his bedroom. The story masterfully tackles themes of cultural identity, the pressure of expectations, and the frustration of not being understood. It is perfectly suited for middle grade readers who are navigating their own identities while balancing family traditions with modern life. Parents will appreciate how it validates a child's initial resentment while guiding them toward empathy and the discovery of common ground through unexpected channels like art and math.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
There is a scene involving mild casual racism/unwelcoming behavior at a bingo hall which is addressed with a hopeful, social-justice oriented resolution. The approach is secular and grounded in contemporary reality.
Ideal Reader
An 8 to 11 year old who feels like they don't quite fit the 'mold' their parents have set for them, or a child experiencing the growing pains of a multigenerational household.
