
Reach for this book when your middle schooler is struggling to find their place in a new environment or feels the pressure to perform a version of themselves that is not entirely true. It is a perfect choice for the child who uses humor to mask deep seated insecurities or family secrets. The story follows San Lee, an adopted kid who has moved too many times and decides to reinvent himself as a Zen master to survive his latest new school. While the premise is funny, the book dives into serious themes of identity, the weight of keeping family secrets, and the search for authentic connection. It offers a relatable look at the 11 to 14 age group, capturing the specific social anxieties of seventh grade. Parents will appreciate how it balances witty banter with the poignant reality of a boy trying to reconcile his past with the person he wants to be.
The protagonist maintains a significant lie for most of the book.
Includes middle school flirting, a crush, and a first kiss.
Themes of parental incarceration and feeling abandoned by a father.
The book deals with parental incarceration and family secrets. The approach is direct and realistic, showing the genuine shame and social anxiety these situations cause. The resolution is hopeful and grounded in honesty.
A 12 year old boy who feels like an outsider and uses sarcasm or performance as a defense mechanism. It is especially resonant for students in transient families or those dealing with a parent's mistakes.
Parents should be aware that there is some mild middle school 'romance' (flirting and a kiss) and some discussion of San's father being in prison. No specific scenes require censoring, but the father's backstory provides the book's emotional weight. A parent might notice their child being overly secretive about their family life with friends, or perhaps seeing their child 'shape shift' their personality depending on who they are with.
Younger readers (10-11) will enjoy the slapstick humor and the 'prank' of faking Zen. Older readers (13-14) will better grasp the nuance of San's identity crisis and the pain of his family dynamic.
Unlike many 'new kid' stories, this one explores the pressure to perform to a stereotype, particularly as it relates to San's experience as a Chinese-American adoptee. """
San Lee is a middle school student who has moved frequently due to his father's legal and financial troubles. At his new school in Pennsylvania, he decides to adopt the persona of a Zen master, drawing on his limited knowledge of Buddhism and his Chinese heritage to stand out. While his 'wisdom' earns him friends and the interest of a girl named Woody, the lie becomes increasingly difficult to maintain as he balances school life, a complicated relationship with his single mother, and the truth about his incarcerated father.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
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