The Great Wall of Lucy Wu

Reach for this book when your middle-schooler is struggling with the push-and-pull of their public identity versus their family heritage, or when they are feeling resentful about a major change in their personal space. The story follows Lucy Wu, a sixth-grader who is ready to claim her own room and play basketball, only to have her plans derailed by the arrival of her great-aunt from China and the requirement to attend Chinese school. It is an ideal choice for navigating feelings of frustration, the importance of compromise, and the discovery that those who seem the most different from us often have the most to teach us. Written for ages 8 to 12, it provides a realistic and humorous look at how a child can find their footing when their expectations for independence are challenged.