(2) YA Lee builds an original story around the little-known fact that eight of the Titanic passengers were Chinese men. This engaging historical novel adds a fictional young woman in stowaway Valora Luck, a biracial seventeen-year-old maid and former acrobat of English and Chinese heritage, as she reunites with her sailor twin brother and dreams of life in America. Despite having a first-class ticket, Valora is turned away because of her heritage. But once she sneaks aboard, the resourceful teen uses her wits to move around the ship in disguise, pretending to be sometimes her deceased employer, sometimes a young sailor. Lee creates vivid backstories for her characters and explores daily life on the luxury liner for upper- and lower-deck passengers, including scenes of racism and sexism. There are also memorable scenes of warmth, joy, romance, and daring, particularly when the twins perform for a Ringling Bros. Circus co-owner. As with most Titanic stories, the suspenseful final chapters focus on escape and survival, and the ending is heart-wrenching--and unexpected. Lee's novel should, as she says in an author's note, "provoke a discussion about which of these characters society considers 'worthy' and which it does not." Recommended for history buffs and fans of the 1997 Titanic film; pair with The Six, a new documentary about the Chinese Titanic survivors.

Reviewer: Michelle Lee | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2021

(3) YA In 1906 San Francisco, Mercy, daughter of Chinese immigrants, finagles her way into a fancy girls' school. But St. Clare's is no academic haven, and the white students are far from welcoming. Still, when the earthquake strikes, it's Mercy who brings everyone--including students, immigrants, and refugees--together for survival. Rich with historical detail, the setting is as compelling as Mercy herself.

Reviewer: Sarah Hannah Gomez

(3) YA Mim, one of two "aromateurs" left in the world, knows that "love witches can't fall in love." But she's beginning to think there's more to life than mixing love potions for others. As she tries to balance the demands of her olfactory legacy with high school, an amorous disaster ensues. This unique romance contemplates the nature of personal destiny, identity, and forgiveness.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(3) YA After fatally wounding her would-be rapist, fifteen-year-old Chinese American Sammy escapes with runaway slave Annamae. Disguised as boys heading for the California Gold Rush, the girls befriend three cowboys with whom they travel the gorgeous but rough Oregon Trail in 1849. While there's a lot to keep track of, this well-executed novel deftly integrates details about Chinese American culture, slavery, and pioneer life.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello