★ 12/04/2023
A Vietnamese American teen at a romantic crossroads must decide whether it’s worth keeping her heart safe by giving up on love in this lightly fantastical, heartwarming graphic novel from Yang (American Born Chinese) and Pham (the Princess in Black series). Every year, Valentina Tran—accompanied by her cherubic imaginary friend Saint V—excitedly distributes valentines to her classmates and to her father, who remains heartbroken over her late mother. But Val’s world is shattered after she’s met with derision from the valentines’ recipients, and a visit from her grandmother reveals a devastating truth about her parents’ relationship. Saint V, now a ghoulish version of his former self, entices Val with a bargain: Val must find love within the year or give up her heart to Saint V, who will protect it from further pain. As Lunar New Year celebrations commence, Val reexamines her relationship with family, friends, and herself, and navigates her tumultuous feelings, hoping to believe in love again. Poignant moments amplified by evocatively colored digitally rendered panels address deep issues of parental abandonment and grief, while interjections of comic relief and a riveting subplot surrounding lion dancing result in a well-paced, well-balanced dual effort. Ages 14–up. (Jan.)
An NPR Best Book of the Year
A Kirkus Best Book of the Year
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
A Booklist Best Book of the Year
A Shelf Awareness Best Book of the Year
A Horn Book Best Book of the Year
A New York Public Library Best Book of the Year
A Bulletin of the Center of Children's Books' 2024 Blue Ribbon Awards Winner
"Lunar New Year Love Story, gorgeously rendered in graphic novel form by Gene Luen Yang and LeUyen Pham, deftly grafts the symbolism of these two holidays to create a rich tapestry of complimentary worldviews." —NPR
"The text and colorful comics work beautifully together in a story that captures the vibrant Asian community in Oakland, Calif." —Washington Post, from "Five YA novels to Read this Summer"
"Yang’s storytelling is a multigenerational, multilayered, multicultural masterpiece of searching for lasting, empathic connection." – Booklist, starred review
"Valentina’s quest is full of swoony moments that will satisfy romance readers, while her fearless journey of personal growth will win over everyone else." – Kirkus, starred review
"A positive and beautiful work of art that will make an impression on readers." – School Library Journal, starred review
"Yang and Pham do a wonderful job of weaving fractured families and romantic yearning with fantasy elements that show emotional states and growth, with plenty of humor throughout." – Horn Book, starred review
"Poignant moments amplified by evocatively colored digitally rendered panels address deep issues of parental abandonment and grief, while interjections of comic relief and a riveting subplot surrounding lion dancing result in a well-paced, well-balanced dual effort." —Publisher's Weekly, starred review
"Lunar New Year Love Story is a buoying tale about being open to the pain of love." — Shelf Awareness, starred review
"Graphic novel lovers who find themselves immersed in richly illustrated, culturally resonant intergenerational stories...will be unable to resist the intricate dance between love, grief, and learning staged in this fiercely empathetic instant classic." — Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (BCCB), starred review
"Lunar New Year Love Story will appeal to a broad audience, including younger teens. Though it is a love story, it embraces all kinds of love: romantic, yes, but also familial, intergenerational, spiritual and the special love between trusted friends." —Bookpage, starred review
"A beautiful comic that shows that love takes many forms and goes hand-in-hand with laughter, tears, heartbreak, and forgiveness." —Screen Rant
★ 12/01/2023
Gr 6 Up—Readers will fall in love with this heartwarming, fun rom-com. Yang (Dragon Hoops) brings another delightful addition to graphic novels that blends culture, love, and family dynamics in a relatable way. Valentina's family is fated to be unlucky in love. Wanting to break the curse, Valentina makes a deal with the spirit of Saint Valentine: she has one year to find true love and "prove that you do not share your family's fate." If she fails, she must give her heart away to Saint Valentine and will never fall in love. Yang takes readers to Lunar New Year celebrations with Valentina and her friends and family, employing characters who are relatable and endearing. The attention to detail and color work by Pham, for example, in the intricate details of the festival decorations, create a visual feast for readers and add depth and strong emotion to the story. A wide audience of readers will relate to the universal themes of love, acceptance, forgiveness, and familial bonds. VERDICT A positive and beautiful work of art that will make an impression on readers.—Jacquetta Etheridge
