From the Publisher
"Kuo’s verse is artfully balanced in tone, never sugarcoating the struggles of the immigration experience but acknowledging the good times as well." — Kirkus Reviews
“Despite their difficult circumstances, Ai Shi and her parents navigate their world with relentless optimism, perseverance, and an earnest belief in their dreams.” — Horn Book Magazine
June 2023 - AudioFile
The sequel to the author's novel IN THE BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY begins 18 months after Taiwanese-born Anna immigrates to the U.S. Catherine Ho's narration of the story, told in first-person free verse, features an even pace that reflects the balance this sixth-grade student is attempting to achieve. Ho recounts Anna's emotional ups and downs: At first, she believes she can achieve success in her new country; then she realizes with shock that her family has no path to citizenship. Ho captures Anna's attempts to come to terms with her family's financial struggles and her own limitations. By the story's end, Ho expresses hints of optimism as Anna begins to believe she has a gift for words and can make a difference. S.W. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
2023-06-08
In 1980s California, a girl navigates her way through her family’s pursuit of the American dream.
Ai Shi continues to adjust to living in the small town of Duarte after her family emigrated from Taiwan, as relayed in 2022’s In the Beautiful Country. Despite help from best friend Tiffany, she cannot help but feel she falls short of being “a real American”—standing out among white kids at school and also among American-born kids at her Chinese church. Ai Shi is ambivalent about the approaching summer break, assuming she’ll be helping out her parents at their diner as usual since they can’t afford camp. At least her teacher notices her way with words, encouraging Ai Shi to write a speech on the topic of “What America Means to Me” for junior high speech club in the fall. But then her family discovers they have overstayed their visa and need to get a lawyer they can’t afford. Ai Shi’s mother gets a summer job in San Diego, and Ai Shi will officially work at the diner for $5 a day. Amid the challenges, she savors unexpected pockets of joy, grows in understanding her parents’ wishes for her (“You have so many choices, Ai Shi. / You get to decide”), and finds her own American dream. Kuo’s verse is artfully balanced in tone, never sugarcoating the struggles of the immigration experience but acknowledging the good times as well.
An unabashedly heartfelt search for belonging. (Verse historical fiction. 9-12)