(2) K-3 Illustrated by Bonnie Lui. Timid Chinese American ghost Mimi wishes she looked like all the other ghosts. On the first day haunting a new school, she is ridiculed by the popular ghouls because of the "old-fashioned," traditional Chinese garb her relatives insist she wear. But when clique leader Lisette steals Mimi's look, Mimi stops being a "good Chinese girl ghost" and behaves like a very scary ghoul indeed--all ending with an apology from Lisette that leads to new friendships. The text of this caught-between-two-cultures ghost story contains much wordplay ("It isn't long before Mimi and her ghoulmates model all kinds of haunt couture"), and the illustrations capture Mimi's early misery and later empowerment.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2022

(1) YA In this graphic novel, thirteen-year-old Mei Hao shares her homemade pies and homespun tales about the eponymous Auntie Po (a Chinese Paul Bunyan–type figure of Mei's own creation) with her white best friend Beatrice Andersen and many other eager listeners at Mr. Andersen's 1885 Sierra Nevada logging camp. Mei works hard to help her father cook for the camp's lumberjacks, plus separate meals for the Chinese workers, who aren't given board or allowed to eat with the others. But she dreams of a day when she and Bee can open a hybrid bookstore–pie shop together, even as she realizes that dream--and her unrequited love for Bee--may well be impossible. While Khor's pencils are digital, the rawness and unpredictability of their hand-painted watercolors complement Mei's fluctuating emotions and the harsh life at the camp, where incidents of racism and logging accidents can occur, both devastating. Khor frequently uses the whole page for their illustrations and works outside of panels, techniques that aptly enhance the historical and mythic scope of the ­narrative and that ultimately affirm Mei as the author of her own ­destiny. A multifaceted addition to the historical graphic novel genre, this unique bildungsroman successfully presents many formidable topics with intentional and comprehensive grace.

Reviewer: Niki Marion | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2021

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Chris Soentpiet. This sequel to Coolies documents the experience of a Chinese immigrant boy as he joins his brothers to work at their store in San Francisco's Chinatown. The handsome, luminous paintings reflect the historical setting and add interest to the otherwise formulaic story. This is both a useful and attractive addition to a history curriculum. Reading list.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) YA Cultures of the World series. The books in this series will be helpful to report-writing students. In these revised editions, economic and political information has been brought up to date, the color photographs are well reproduced, and the emphasis on the traditional arts and customs of each country has not changed. The economic and cultural maps, a time line, and a list of websites are useful features. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Cultures of the World titles: Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Japan, India.]

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Chris Soentpiet. Shek and Wong, two Chinese brothers, come to mid-nineteenth-century America to work on the transcontinental railroad. The programmatic story tells of the brothers' hard voyage across the Pacific and their arduous labor for the Central Pacific Railroad company. The writing is formulaic, but the history behind the story and the undeniable thrill of the three-quarter-spread watercolors will compel interest.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2001