Finally Seen
From the New York Times bestselling author of Front Desk comes a “involving, realistic” (Booklist, starred review) middle grade novel about a young girl who leaves China to live with her parents and sister—after five years apart—and learns about family, friendship, and the power of being finally seen.
My sister got to grow up with my parents. Me? I grew up with postcards from my parents.
When ten-year-old Lina Gao steps off the plane in Los Angeles, it’s her first time in America and the first time seeing her parents and her little sister in five years! She’s been waiting for this moment every day while she lived with her grandmother in Beijing, getting teased by kids at school who called her “left behind girl.” Finally, her parents are ready for her to join their fabulous life in America! Except, it’s not exactly like in the postcards:
1. School’s a lot harder than she thought. When she mispronounces some words in English on the first day, she decides she simply won’t talk. Ever again.
2. Her chatty little sister has no problem with English. And seems to do everything better than Lina, including knowing exactly the way to her parents’ hearts.
3. They live in an apartment, not a house like in Mom’s letters, and they owe a lot of back rent from the pandemic. And Mom’s plan to pay it back sounds more like a hobby than a moneymaker.
As she reckons with her hurt, Lina tries to keep a lid on her feelings, both at home and at school. When her teacher starts facing challenges for her latest book selection, a book that deeply resonates with Lina, it will take all of Lina’s courage and resilience to get over her fear and choose a future where she’s finally seen.
My sister got to grow up with my parents. Me? I grew up with postcards from my parents.
When ten-year-old Lina Gao steps off the plane in Los Angeles, it’s her first time in America and the first time seeing her parents and her little sister in five years! She’s been waiting for this moment every day while she lived with her grandmother in Beijing, getting teased by kids at school who called her “left behind girl.” Finally, her parents are ready for her to join their fabulous life in America! Except, it’s not exactly like in the postcards:
1. School’s a lot harder than she thought. When she mispronounces some words in English on the first day, she decides she simply won’t talk. Ever again.
2. Her chatty little sister has no problem with English. And seems to do everything better than Lina, including knowing exactly the way to her parents’ hearts.
3. They live in an apartment, not a house like in Mom’s letters, and they owe a lot of back rent from the pandemic. And Mom’s plan to pay it back sounds more like a hobby than a moneymaker.
As she reckons with her hurt, Lina tries to keep a lid on her feelings, both at home and at school. When her teacher starts facing challenges for her latest book selection, a book that deeply resonates with Lina, it will take all of Lina’s courage and resilience to get over her fear and choose a future where she’s finally seen.
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Community Reviews
OMG!!! Another phenomenal book by Kelly Yang! At this point, I will ALWAYS read a book by Kelly Yang so she better plan on writing a ton more!
This book follows Lina Gao. Her family moved to California with her baby sister years before but with the death of her grandfather and her grandmothers health, she is now moving to the US to join them. Although they have sent letters, what Lina quickly learns is that her family was not living the same life she saw on TV shows and movies or even as explained in the letters. Her mother is trying to make money starting a bath bomb business and her father works for a very stubborn man on an organic farm. They don't have the perfect house with the picket fence and everything is not like it seems but that doesn't mean it couldn't be someday.
Lina struggles in school as well since she struggles to speak English. She works one-on-one with another teacher who had a similar experience and gives her a lot of confidence to believe in herself and keep trying. She starts reading graphic novels which help her understand the story as she is learning more of the language and she connects with Flea Shop, a graphic novel about a girl very similar to her. However, when she suggests that it should be the class read aloud, there are many parents who start protesting this choice saying that most kids won't connect to it. But that is exactly why Lina feels it is perfect so that her classmates can see a diverse character and see her side of this journey.
This fantastic book tells the story of finding the power within yourself to speak up and having the courage to make yourself seen and heard. This story focuses on family dynamics, immigration uncertainties, financial woes, and book banning struggles - all pulled from today's headlines (and even Yang's own books). Yang's experiences as an immigrant child and her personal experiences with book banning lend a level of detail and authenticity that will really resonate with readers. This book is definitely one for every classroom - as it will help some students connect to their own story and it will help other students understand what some of their friends are going through!
"This is different. Remember, we may be six thousand miles apart, but I'm right there in your heart. Anytime you want to talk to me, just put a hand over your chest and I'll feel it, sweet child" pg. 7
"It means your blood is made of iron will and determination. Your backbone is build from the sacrifices and impossible decisions of all those who walked before you. You have a duty to them to protect your heart. Never let yourself be treated that way. It isn't worth it" pg. 48
"Being bad at English seems like the worst kind of apple you can be here. And until I know for sure that's not going to be my fate, I vow never to speak in class again." pg. 72
"Despite the correction, I feel myself glowing from ear to ear at the confirmation that I am not completely useless in this country. I can do this! I can help my family not just in the Imagination Hotel but in real life too!" pg. 83
"Now, I want you to know, the point of ESL is not to erase your other language. But to learn to hold both in your mouth...if you want to" pg. 96
"Pete's right. The soil feeds the soul. So does opening up to a friend" pg. 130
"As immigrants, we are burdened with lots of guilt. For leaving our loved ones. Leaving our home. Sacrificing so much, or watching our parents sacrifice so much. But I want you never to forget the i in guilt. It's in there for a reason. And it's not any smaller than the other letters. Your dreams matter. You matter. Never forget that" pg. 181
"This is exactly why I want you to read books - to see the world through someone else's eyes. I can tell you as a Black person, I have had moments just like this...where I've wondered, did this really happen? How could this happen to me? It's so easy to brush these experiences under the rug. But I am so proud of Catherine Wang for shedding light on them, so that we all learn and grow. Sometimes an experience that seems impossible to us is actually the lived experience of many other people. And by understanding that, we all become more empathetic human beings" pg. 247
"For me, this book is a mirror. For other kids, it is a sliding door. A door to see real life" pg. 266
This book follows Lina Gao. Her family moved to California with her baby sister years before but with the death of her grandfather and her grandmothers health, she is now moving to the US to join them. Although they have sent letters, what Lina quickly learns is that her family was not living the same life she saw on TV shows and movies or even as explained in the letters. Her mother is trying to make money starting a bath bomb business and her father works for a very stubborn man on an organic farm. They don't have the perfect house with the picket fence and everything is not like it seems but that doesn't mean it couldn't be someday.
Lina struggles in school as well since she struggles to speak English. She works one-on-one with another teacher who had a similar experience and gives her a lot of confidence to believe in herself and keep trying. She starts reading graphic novels which help her understand the story as she is learning more of the language and she connects with Flea Shop, a graphic novel about a girl very similar to her. However, when she suggests that it should be the class read aloud, there are many parents who start protesting this choice saying that most kids won't connect to it. But that is exactly why Lina feels it is perfect so that her classmates can see a diverse character and see her side of this journey.
This fantastic book tells the story of finding the power within yourself to speak up and having the courage to make yourself seen and heard. This story focuses on family dynamics, immigration uncertainties, financial woes, and book banning struggles - all pulled from today's headlines (and even Yang's own books). Yang's experiences as an immigrant child and her personal experiences with book banning lend a level of detail and authenticity that will really resonate with readers. This book is definitely one for every classroom - as it will help some students connect to their own story and it will help other students understand what some of their friends are going through!
"This is different. Remember, we may be six thousand miles apart, but I'm right there in your heart. Anytime you want to talk to me, just put a hand over your chest and I'll feel it, sweet child" pg. 7
"It means your blood is made of iron will and determination. Your backbone is build from the sacrifices and impossible decisions of all those who walked before you. You have a duty to them to protect your heart. Never let yourself be treated that way. It isn't worth it" pg. 48
"Being bad at English seems like the worst kind of apple you can be here. And until I know for sure that's not going to be my fate, I vow never to speak in class again." pg. 72
"Despite the correction, I feel myself glowing from ear to ear at the confirmation that I am not completely useless in this country. I can do this! I can help my family not just in the Imagination Hotel but in real life too!" pg. 83
"Now, I want you to know, the point of ESL is not to erase your other language. But to learn to hold both in your mouth...if you want to" pg. 96
"Pete's right. The soil feeds the soul. So does opening up to a friend" pg. 130
"As immigrants, we are burdened with lots of guilt. For leaving our loved ones. Leaving our home. Sacrificing so much, or watching our parents sacrifice so much. But I want you never to forget the i in guilt. It's in there for a reason. And it's not any smaller than the other letters. Your dreams matter. You matter. Never forget that" pg. 181
"This is exactly why I want you to read books - to see the world through someone else's eyes. I can tell you as a Black person, I have had moments just like this...where I've wondered, did this really happen? How could this happen to me? It's so easy to brush these experiences under the rug. But I am so proud of Catherine Wang for shedding light on them, so that we all learn and grow. Sometimes an experience that seems impossible to us is actually the lived experience of many other people. And by understanding that, we all become more empathetic human beings" pg. 247
"For me, this book is a mirror. For other kids, it is a sliding door. A door to see real life" pg. 266
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