Making Friends with Billy Wong

Reach for this book when your child starts noticing that the world isn't always fair, or when they feel like an outsider in a new environment. This gentle but honest historical novel explores the complexities of belonging through the eyes of two children in 1950s Arkansas: Azalea, who is struggling to connect with an estranged grandmother, and Billy, a Chinese American boy facing systemic prejudice. It is an ideal choice for middle-grade readers developing their sense of social justice and empathy. Through their budding friendship, the story highlights how kindness and courage can bridge cultural divides. Parents will appreciate how the book handles heavy themes of segregation and racism with a hopeful, age-appropriate lens. It serves as a beautiful conversation starter about American history, the importance of standing up for others, and the quiet resilience found in unlikely friendships.