(2) YA Also edited by Elsie Chapman. Fifteen authors of East and South Asian descent present original short stories inspired by culture-specific tales from their childhoods, followed by information about their source material. The stories achieve emotional depth and connection while showcasing each storyteller's unique literary voice. The co-editors' choice to preserve culturally authentic words and expressions allows fluidity in the storytelling and shows respect to young readers.

Reviewer: Roxanne Hsu Feldman | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2018

(2) 4-6 Translated by Edward Gauvin. Jun's graphic novel for young readers begins with Yu'er, a Chinese girl who dreams of swimming in the Special Olympics. When her swim-class application is rejected because of her disability, Grampa has an ingenious solution. Heartwarming relationships, moments of levity, and magical elements also mark the remaining three vignettes. The earth-toned watercolor illustrations seem quiet at first glance, but dynamic perspectives and compositions provide lively energy.

Reviewer: Roxanne Hsu Feldman | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2018

(2) YA Half–Taiwanese American teen Leigh travels to Taipei on a grief-stricken odyssey after her mother's suicide, piecing together her past by lighting magical incense to witness fragments of others' memories. Pan tells Leigh's story with a vividness punctuated by highly specific hues (e.g., "viridian spiraling" thoughts). The abundant imagery--along with threads of Taiwanese mysticism and the mingling of ghosts with the living--creates a hypnotic narrative.

Reviewer: Roxanne Hsu Feldman | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2018

(2) 4-6 Ten-year-old Mia, an immigrant from China, takes on front desk duties at the motel where her parents are managers. The family's grand dream of a free, prosperous life seems farther away than ever when a series of nightmarish events strikes. Mia's gradual understanding of racism and prejudice in 1990s America, and subsequent activism, are at the heart of this triumphant tale. Readers will admire Mia's audacity and creativity.

Reviewer: Roxanne Hsu Feldman | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2018

(2) YA Illustrated by Andrea Offermann. This graphic-novel retelling of a twelfth-century epic poem about young knight-errant Sir Yvain's marriage to widow Lady Laudine puts as much emphasis on Laudine's sorrow as on Yvain's adventures. It's a tempestuous counter-story that challenges perceived notions of love by examining women's roles in relationships and society. Anderson's spare narration is set against Offermann's muted tones, detailed panels, sweeping spreads, and turbulent motifs.

Reviewer: Roxanne Hsu Feldman | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2017

(2) 4-6 Eleven-year-old Kid is fascinated by a mountain goat living on the roof of her Manhattan apartment building. Though she is painfully shy, things start changing for Kid when she makes a new friend, Will, who lost his parents on 9/11. The story offers insight into life's obstacles through the viewpoints of characters of all ages; it's also an affectionate and quirky ode to Manhattan.

Reviewer: Roxanne Hsu Feldman | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2017

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by David Wiesner. The main attraction of novelty aquarium Ocean Wonders is a mermaid named Fish Girl. When Fish Girl is befriended by a human, she starts to wonder: what would happen if she got out of her fish-tank prison? Wiesner and Napoli create an intriguing, original graphic-novel tale, featuring Wiesner's trademark clean lines and studied details in watercolor panel illustrations.

Reviewer: Roxanne Hsu Feldman | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2017

(2) 4-6 Translated by Helen Wang. Illustrated by Meilo So. In this story set during the Chinese Cultural Revolution, seven-year-old Sunflower is taken in by a kind village family after her artist father's untimely death. Nainai (grandma), Baba (father), Mama, and Sunflower's friend Bronze all care for the girl fiercely, but life in 1960s rural China is filled with hardship. The emotional depth and unflinching realism help sustain readers' interest.

Reviewer: Roxanne Hsu Feldman | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2017

(3) 4-6 Eleven-year-old Mia Chen's visit to her mother's old home in Fuzhou (in southern China) takes an exciting and dangerous turn when her aunt goes missing. In order to rescue Aunt Lin, Mia must solve riddles and follow the trail to a fabled treasure hidden by Emperor Zhu Yunwen. Contemporary China is authentically portrayed, and the deliberately paced mystery concludes with a thrilling discovery.

Reviewer: Roxanne Hsu Feldman

(2) 4-6 The Year of the Rat brings major change for Pacy (The Year of the Dog), as her best friend moves away. Pacy also starts doubting her resolution to become a writer/illustrator. Lin deftly handles Pacy's dilemmas and internal struggles with sensitivity and tenderness, keeping a hopeful and childlike tone that will inspire empathy. Appealing line drawings appear throughout.

Reviewer: Roxanne Hsu Feldman | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2008

(4) K-3 Lin is upset about losing her pet dragon. As the search progresses, readers learn how to write Chinese characters, which are then incorporated into the cleanly composed digital illustrations in crisp lines and vibrant colors. The mishmash of clichés (ping-pong playing, the Great Wall), some errors (girl with boy's hairstyle) in the imagery, and lack of a pronunciation guide are drawbacks.

Reviewer: Roxanne Hsu Feldman