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Wang, Andrea

The Many Meanings of Meilan

368 pp. | Penguin/Kokila | August, 2021 | Trade ISBN 978-0-593-11128-4 $17.99 | Ebook ISBN 978-0-593-11129-1 $10.99
(2) YA How do you define yourself when your name tells many stories about your identity? Seventh grader Meilan's name in Chinese can have many connotations. As "Basket" in her family, she feels the weight of responsibility: "I'm the carrier of their dreams and hopes and desires." When the Hua family's ties are severed after the passing of Meilan's grandmother, the family's bakery is sold and she and her parents and grandfather make a sudden move from Boston's Chinatown to small-town Redbud, Ohio. A gifted storyteller who weaves lively tales inspired by Chinese folklore, Meilan finds her vibrant inner world dissipating. She is re-named Melanie by her principal in a misguided attempt to ease her transition into the new school; and when an assignment compels her to investigate her ­grandfather's experiences as a veteran of the Vietnam War, his presence at school is met with anti-Asian bias. Through unearthing his story, however, Meilan discovers the specific origins of her name--and, satisfyingly, the strength to proudly stand her ground. Wang (Watercress, rev. 3/21) presents an earnest portrayal of an Asian American daughter in an immigrant family finding her voice in ­predominantly white, small-town America. Taiwanese cultural heritage plays a strong role in Meilan's world through her mother's colloquialisms, her father's Chinese ­pastries, and the mythical Chinese creatures she imagines into her new environment. Back matter includes a note about transliteration, "Māma's Meanings," and further reading.
Reviewer: Kristine Techavanich | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2021

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