(2) K-3 Having recently emigrated from Hong Kong to America, young Jun starts school with a few English words and phrases (e.g.hello, thank you, I don't know, toilet) written on her palm. Nevertheless, she faces misunderstandings and struggles to comprehend a new language and culture. At the bus stop, unable to understand a question about her name, she responds with, "Th...ank you." Filling out a "Let's Get to Know You" worksheet in class, she answers each question, "I don't know." Despite her loneliness, Jun finds solace in her lunchbox, which is filled with her favorite Chinese foods, including bao, dumplings, and bok choy. After a difficult first four days for Jun, classmate Rose makes a friendly overture at lunch on Friday, which leads to sharing food with a small group of kids. Jun invites her new friends to her home, symbolizing the beginning of new connections. With its spare text (most of which is speech-bubble dialogue), the story is primarily conveyed through Mo's sensitively drawn, sometimes paneled illustrations, which vividly depict Jun's emotional state. Warm colors represent her cherished memories of home and the eventual feeling of belonging; cool tones mirror her initial fear and anxiety. This debut picture book captures an immigrant experience, highlighting the impact of small gestures of kindness and celebrating the unifying power of food across cultures and languages. A glossary of written and conversational Cantonese phrases in the story and a labeled illustration of Jun's lunchbox contents are helpfully appended.

Reviewer: Weileen Wang | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2024

(2) YA In this page-turning drama, two teens from different backgrounds forge a brief romantic connection amid the tumultuous 2019 Hong Kong anti-government protests. Phoenix Lam, sixteen, comes from a wealthy shipping family. Zhang Kai En, seventeen, an amateur painter who has been living in Shanghai, returns to Hong Kong after his mother's death to reunite with his estranged father and enroll in the police academy. The two protagonists meet by chance at a restaurant and connect after they accidentally swap cellphones. Apolitical Phoenix follows her brother into protesting. Kai joins their student group while secretly undermining their efforts. Tension builds as the teens grow closer, peaceful protests turn deadly, and Kai's betrayal is discovered. The novel succeeds in using the lens of young love in an undercover thriller to capture a significant historical moment. Song does a strong job with her vivid descriptions of the cosmopolitan city in peaceful moments and in realistic, chaotic protest scenes, including examples of police and protester violence. She also manages the difficult balancing act of exploring various characters' viewpoints on the China/Hong Kong political situation with nuance, whether they see the pro-democracy protests as necessary, destructive, or futile. In her author's note, Song emphasizes that her novel is "not representative of the entire Hong Kong population...there is a vast range of perspectives." A short list of recommended nonfiction books and documentaries is also appended.

Reviewer: Michelle Lee | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2023

(2) K-3 As a girl helps her family set up their stall on "beeping, bickering, and bartering" Tai Yuen Street in Hong Kong, she complains that every day is boringly the same. ­Suddenly and with a "THWUMP!" a man falls to his knees. He tells the crowd of hawkers and shoppers that he's traveled a thousand miles through forests and across rivers, leaving "everything behind but the clothes on his back" to cross the border. The crowd turns away, "uninterested in hearing their own stories retold to them," but the girl's mother asks her to bring the tired and hungry man a mooncake--the very one that was promised to her and her brothers. Reluctantly, she offers him the mooncake, "the best kind" with a double-yolk center. Her act of kindness ripples out into the crowd, reminding onlookers (and readers) of the satisfaction of being able to share what they can. AuYeung's expressive digital illustrations depict Hong Kong's Tai Yuen Street and its people with lively details that lighten the tone. An author's note provides historical context and explains that the story is based on her family's experiences.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2022

(2) 4-6 Yang's (Front Desk, rev. 7/18; Three Keys, rev. 11/20) pandemic-set tale, based partly on her own experiences, focuses on a biracial Chinese American expat family in January 2020. Impulsive middle-child Knox Wei-Evans, ten, is filled with dread when he, his siblings, and their high-powered banker mother relocate to the Bay Area while his best friend--his father--stays in Hong Kong. Drama ensues as the kids struggle to fit in at school, Knox is diagnosed with ADHD, and the family's finances become precarious when Mom loses her job. The Wei-Evanses also experience several instances of racism, such as bullying in the form of "coronavirus tag" and accusations of being "virus carriers." Yang presents these incidents in a realistic way and defuses them by emphasizing the importance of educating others and speaking up. Despite the serious subject matter, Yang includes plenty of humor, with wry observations about Zoom schooling and the kids' efforts to "help out" with a garage sale and LinkedIn job hunt. Knox's experience with ADHD is portrayed with nuance and empathy. Some quibbles aside (the plot can feel a bit forced, and Yang largely skirts the mainland China–Hong Kong political conflict), this is a strong and timely novel about a family weathering adversity. An author's note is appended.

Reviewer: Michelle Lee | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2022

(3) YA Delving into backstory and world-building, this second installment of Dayton's science-fiction epic (Seeker) will not disappoint readers. While John and the Young Dread trace John's mother's path of revenge, Quin and Shinobu discover that the disappearance of the Seekers is linked to the Middle Dread's sinister activities. Internal conflict abounds, and a heartbreaking cliffhanger ending will leave fans eager for book three.

Reviewer: Barratt Miller

(3) 4-6 Mysterium series. After Danny's parents perish in a suspicious fire, Danny grows paranoid. He leaves his traveling circus family--the Mysterium--and moves in with his aunt, who is investigating gangs in Hong Kong. Her kidnapping leads Danny to discover an international criminal network. The twisty plot will keep readers guessing with its James Bond–style action and trickery.

Reviewer: Lauren Causey

(2) YA Hak Nam Walled City, based on a real place in Hong Kong, is described as "Hell on earth." The narrative rotates among three teen protagonists who desperately want to escape. Mysterious Dai teams up with Jin, who's passing as a boy and searching for her sister, Mei Yee, who was sold into prostitution. A riveting, suspenseful tale of violence, danger, and survival.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2015

(4) YA On the surface, Lian is a dutiful Chinese daughter. She is also Komiko, one fourth of the 06/04, a group of human rights hackers. The day a body washes ashore, Lian decides it's time to use her talents to stop a corrupt corporation. Albeit somewhat predictable, Paul's book is a fast-paced read that fans of heist stories will enjoy.

Reviewer: Jenn Matters

(4) YA When Ti-Anna's father, a Chinese dissident, disappears in Hong Kong, her friend Ethan hatches a plan: the two tenth graders will fly from Washington, D.C., to find him. Although the teen dialogue doesn't always ring true, Hiatt manages to weave in twentieth-century Chinese history, human trafficking, and vivid setting details--all while keeping the pace moving. Back matter discusses the fictional story's real-life inspirations.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Jennifer Kindert. Based on the author's father and grandmother's experiences, this compelling fictional account of the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong in WWII is narrated by Choi, a ten-year old boy who becomes a slave worker for the Japanese and a secret member of the resistance movement. The text occasionally uses abrupt transitions; muted illustrations with spare pops of color are stirring. Extensive historical notes add value.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) YA Simon needs help with his English. Amy, a Chinese American known to him as "Subway Girl," loves the fast life of Hong Kong but can't master the language. The two become friends, with Simon offering emotional support after Amy discovers she's pregnant. The dialogue--especially Simon's halting English--can be awkward, but the setting is fresh and the friendship generally believable.

Reviewer: Brittany Schlorff

(4) 4-6 Gatekeepers series. A British teen of Chinese descent, Scarlett is the fifth Gatekeeper destined to save the world from the Old Ones. Traveling to Hong Kong, she finds a city full of shape-changers and corpses. In a race against time, the other Gatekeepers try to save her. Despite some unfortunate stereotypes, this gory, well-paced adventure will keep series fans engaged.

Reviewer: Deborah Kaplan

(3) 4-6 This novel in verse, based on the author's own past, works both as a cohesive narrative of Russell's "writer's journey" and as snapshots of childhood memories. Standout poems include "mr. hon" and "secret wish." Russell skillfully translates her experiences from the personal to the universal: "But I do not mind / being a little duck, / always calling / 'Wait for me! Wait for me!'" Glos.

Reviewer: Rebecca Hachmyer

(3) YA Asian Americans of Achievement series. These volumes discuss the lives and achievements of some noted Asian Americans. An abundance of facts are included in each book, in addition to some fascinating personal details and histories of the native countries of each subject's family. The books also include dynamic photographs and sidebars with further information. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Asian Americans of Achievement titles: Amy Tan, Bruce Lee, Daniel Inouye, Margaret Cho, Vera Wang, and Yo-Yo Ma.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Dom Lee. This picture-book biography follows the martial artist from his childhood in Hong Kong through his sailing to the U.S. at eighteen. Mochizuki deftly portrays Bruce's conflict between wanting to follow his master's teachings and wanting to fight when provoked. Dom Lee's acrylic and beeswax illustrations are somber. A summary of the remainder of Bruce Lee's short life and a list of sources are appended.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2006

(4) 4-6 Cities of the World series. This clearly written introduction to Hong Kong explores the history, geography, lifestyle, and landmarks of the city, with a special emphasis on the recent transfer of rule from Great Britain to China. Stein's straightforward introduction lacks depth but features plenty of tour-book photos and informative sidebars, in addition to maps and a chronology. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin