Families who loved Only One Year by Andrea Cheng often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with a major life transition, particularly one involving the distance between two cultures or the sadness of leaving loved ones behind. It is a tender resource for families navigating immigration or long term separations from extended family. The story follows Sharon, a young girl whose baby brother is sent back to China to be raised by grandparents for a year. Through Sharon's eyes, we explore the quiet ache of missing a family member and the resilience required to bridge two worlds. Written with poetic simplicity, it is perfect for children aged 8 to 12 who are developing their sense of cultural identity and empathy. It provides a gentle space to normalize feelings of displacement and the bittersweet nature of growing up in a diaspora.