Brainstorm 262: From Taiwan to the US

I was working on cataloging books for our Elementary library this week, and of course I can’t resist reading some of them while doing that. I Dream of Popo was one of the books I read this week, and it had me thinking of other books that feature characters who have moved from Taiwan to the USA, or their parents did, and they still have family in Taiwan they visit sometimes. So today I have 6 books for you that feature characters or real people who immigrated from Taiwan to the US, and/or are children of Taiwanese immigrants. Click on the title of each book to see my full review and any content notes/trigger warnings.

Dim Sum of All Fears (A Noodle Shop Mystery, #2) by Vivian Chien

When the couple who owns the souvenir shop next door in Asia Village is found dead in a double homicide, Lana is very sad. She considered Izzy a friend and enjoyed book shopping with her. Lana wasn't too sure about Brandon, especially the way he'd been disappearing on Izzy recently. She's sure he somehow was responsible for their deaths, but how to get answers? Her maybe boyfriend Adam has banned her from doing any investigating, and her parents are in Taiwan right now and have left her in charge of Ho-Lee Noodle House. She doesn't have time to investigate, and she doesn't want to be dishonest with Adam, but she can't help it if people involved in the case come to her and tell her things, right? And this case is an itch that needs to be scratched.

This is the 2nd book in this series, and I do recommend reading them in order, but I’m highlighting this one because Lana’s parents are in Taiwan visiting her mom’s mom and eventually bring her back to the States at the end. 

Target Readers:

Cozy Mystery Fans, Foodies, Contemporary Fiction Fans, Asian American Character Fans, Adult Readers (though approachable to YA)

 

Dumpling Days (Pacy, #3) by Grace Lin

Pacy and her family are off to Taiwan for a whole month to visit family. Pacy isn't too sure about this. Her parents think it's important for her to understand her roots, but she'd rather just stay in the comfort of New Hartford, CT. At first, Taiwan is just as confusing and strange as she'd thought it would be. She can't understand any of the Taiwanese or Chinese people when they speak. She can't read any of the signs. And she's worried that everyone can tell just by looking at her that she's a twinkie (Asian on the outside, white on the inside) and is judging her. Her mom has enrolled Pacy and her two sisters in Taiwanese cultural art classes while they're there. Pacy thought her class would be a breeze since she knows she has artistic talent, but it seems to take her forever to just get painting bamboo right. She's afraid that maybe even her talent has abandoned her here in this strange land. The two bright spots in Taiwan are the family members they get to see and all the incredible dumplings, Pacy's favorite food. Pacy and her sisters are afraid it's going to be a horribly long and torturous month in Taiwan, but the time flies quickly and without realizing it they learn a few things about Taiwan, their family, and themselves along the way.

Target Readers:

Taiwan Setting Fans, Cross-Cultural Travel Story Fans, Contemporary Fiction Fans, Asian American Character Fans, Family Story Fans, Middle Grade Readers

 

I Dream of Popo by Livia Blackburne, ill. by Julia Kuo

A girl shares her memories of her relationship with her grandma as she grows, celebrates Chinese New Year, moves from Taiwan to the States, learns English, and visits Taiwan again later.

Don’t miss the end notes from the author and illustrator about how this book reflects their own experiences!

Target Readers:

Grandparent Grandchild Story Fans, Immigrant/Emmigrant Story Fans, Cross-Cultural Travel Story Fans, English Language Learner Story Fans, Asian American Character Fans, Chinese New Year Story Fans, Picture Book Readers

 

Last Boat out of Shanghai: the Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao’s Revolution by Helen Zia

The highs and lows of Shanghai's Chinese residents from the late 1920s to late 1940s is brought to life by following the stories of four young people: Bing who was sold by her farming parents so they could feed their other children and adopted twice by upper middle class Shanghai Chinese families; Benny whose father was in the Shanghai police and through gang membership and cooperation with the Japanese rose to the top of the leadership; Ho whose family owned land in the area just northeast of Shanghai and moved their for safety when the Japanese were closing in; and Annuo the daughter of a lawyer turned judge turned Nationalist military leader and a doctor who was born in Shanghai. Through the Japanese occupation, the calm after World War II, and then the threat of Communism eventually all four young people must run from Shanghai at least once for safety. What it was like for each of them during those turbulent years is related and in so doing the story of Shanghai and broader China is also related.

Several of the young people we follow in this book end up in Taiwan for a while before immigrating to the US, and I learned a ton about how Taiwan grew into the place it is today through this book. This is one of the best books I’ve read on 20th century East Asian history.

Target Readers:

Chinese History Buffs, East Asian History Buffs, Curious Readers, War Story Fans, Nonfiction Readers, Collective Biography Fans, Adult Readers (though approachable to high reading YA readers)

 

Measuring Up by Lily LaMotte, ill. by Ann Xu

Cici is upset when her parents move from Taiwan to the US because her beloved A-ma (Grandma) can't come with them. She's also a little worried about the adjustment to a new culture, though she finds some friends quickly. There are still differences between herself and her new friends she's not sure if they will understand. As A-ma's 70th birthday approaches, Cici really wants A-ma to visit but neither of them have the funds to make it happen. When Cici sees a sign for a kids' cooking competition with a monetary award, she signs up. A-ma taught her all sorts of cooking tips. The beginning of the competition finds Cici paired up with a girl who isn't very friendly at first and seems to know loads more about cooking than Cici. Will they find a way to make the competition work and even be friends, and what happens when they have to go individual again?

Target Readers:

Graphic Novel Fans, Immigrant/Emmigrant Story Fans, Contemporary Fiction Fans, Foodies, Friendship Story Fans, Grandparent-Grandchild Story Fans, East vs. West Culture Tension Story Fans, Asian American Character Fans, Middle Grade Readers

 

The Way to Bea by Kat Yeh

7th grade has gotten off to a rather rough start for Bea. She came back from her family's summer trip to Taiwan and found that her best friends had moved on without her. She keeps waiting at their special spot each morning hoping that at least her best friend will show and they can walk to school together like they've done for years. At home her parents are consumed with their projects (her mom's an artist and dad's a graphic novelist), and with the new baby coming she feels like they hardly have time for her either. She's joined the school newspaper, but with the way the year has started Bea isn't sure she has any poems to contribute. The only sharing of poetry she is doing right now is with someone at the special spot who is trading poems and letters in a secret hiding place. Is Bea destined to spend all of 7th grade lonely?

Thankfully Bea does find some unexpected friends (one of whom is a boy with Aspergers who is also lonely and I love what she learns about friendship from him), she eventually tells her parents she's feeling lonely, and then a big climax event results in some other misunderstandings being cleared up and more hope.

Target Readers:

Friendship Story Fans, Facing Changes Story Fans, Contemporary Fiction Fans, Asian American Character Fans, Neurodivergent Character Fans, Middle Grade Readers

 

When Strivings Cease: Replacing the Gospel of Self-Improvement with the Gospel of Life-Transforming Grace by Ruth Chou Simmons

It is easy to get caught up thinking we earn our own salvation, or that it is God’s gift plus what I can do that earns God’s favor. It is sometimes hard to live in the space of really believing in grace, that God gives us things we don’t deserve or earn. And it can be even harder to realize that we can’t change ourselves deep down at our core, that change can only come with God’s working in our lives. Ruth Chou-Simmons talks about her own struggles and progress in each of these areas as a Taiwanese American child of immigrants, a driven person, who was taught to just work harder to accomplish anything. She shares the truths God has taught her over her life, and what those truths have changed in her life and walk with God. She never shares from a place of saying she’s arrived, but as someone in process willing to walk alongside others in process too.

Target Readers:

Christian Life Nonfiction Fans, Asian American Memoir Fans, Nonfiction Fans, Perfectionists, People Pleasers, Adult Readers (though definitely approachable to YA Readers)

Brainstorm 261: Fungi Books

The science nerd in me appreciates a good read about fungus. There are tons of plants books out there, tons of animal books, and even a decent amount of microbe books, but the fungi don’t get as much love or page time. So whether you have a curious reader who would love to learn more about fungi, you’re part Hobbit and naturally mushroom-obsessed, or you appreciate a good mushroom story, here are books featuring fungi. Click on the titles to see my full reviews for each book including any content notes/trigger warnings.

The Accidental Apprentice (Wildlore, #1) by Amanda Foody

Barclay has fought hard to be a good apprentice mushroom farmer and stay within the many rules of the town of Dullshire since his parents were killed when the beast Gravaldor came out of the Woods. But despite his best efforts, his master has taken on a second apprentice, and Barclay really struggles to obey the ‘not running’ law of Dullshire. While out hunting for a rare mushroom, Barclay accidentally bonds with a Beast, and becomes a Lore Keeper. He is HORRIFIED. He's got to get this thing removed from his skin, where it resides now (unless he calls on it, and Barclay is NEVER going to do that). A girl in the Woods agrees to take him to the nearest village in the Woods where someone may be able to help him. But the Woods is not a safe place. The creature Barclay unwittingly bonded with is rare and sparks unwanted interest, and Barclay ends up having to enter a competition with other kids who want to be apprenticed to experienced Lore Keepers if he wants to get answers to how to get rid of his Beast. But surviving the competition also means he has to use his Beast. Will Barclay be able to survive his time in the Woods around Lore Keepers and Beasts and figure out how to remove his so he can get back to Dullshire?

An imaginative world with lots of questions to keep readers on their toes from whether Barclay will wake up to reality, who he can really trust, who will win the power struggle for control of the Woods, and who murdered someone and why.

Target Readers:

Fantasy Fans, Adventure Fans, Self-Discovery Story Fans, Mystery Fans, Imaginative World Building Fans, Mythical Creature Fans, Upper Middle Grade Readers

Fungus Is Among Us! by Joy Keller, ill. by Erica Salcedo

A little girl gets increasingly more and more freaked out as she finds out that fungus is EVERYWHERE. But then she learns that maybe that isn't such a bad thing. The back of the book includes an interview with a mycologist about what that means, what she studies, and how she got into the field.

This is a stunningly well-done book for kids on all the different types of fungus and where they can be found in our world.

Target Readers:

Curious Kids, Fungi Studiers, Science Nerds, Nonfiction Fans, Picture Book Readers

The Mutant Mushroom Takeover (Maggie and Nate Mysteries, #1) by Summer Rachel Short

Mags is hunting for a grand science specimen that will cinch her win of the Vitaccino Junior Naturalist Merit Award. This is step 1 in her grand plan of getting her dad's job back at Vitaccino so he doesn't have to work way far away in Yellowstone. Mags loves her Gran and all, but she desperately misses her father. So she's on the hunt for something spectacular with her best friend, Nate, who is also in search of some weird phenomenon for his crytpo/supernatural/conspiracy theory Youtube channel. When they hear about weird glowing mushrooms at Old Man Bell's, they decide this is worth risking getting caught trespassing for. But they stumble into more than they bargained. These mushrooms don't just glow, they are variations of a mushroom that makes zombies out of ants in the Amazon and they are starting to take over the town's plant, animal, and even human population. But they seem to be the only ones who notice, and who's going to listen to some kids talking about dangerous mushrooms?

A solidly science-based ‘What if...?’ scifi thriller/mystery, that just tiptoes into the imaginary/horror realm. I'm a wimp when it comes to scary stories, but I loved this. The author does an admirable job in the back of the book clarifying what parts are based on scientific fungi facts and what parts veer off into only imaginary. Read this with Zombie Makers below for a great fiction/nonfiction pair.

Target Readers:

Scifi Fans, Science Nerds, Fungi Studiers, Lightly Creepy Story Fans, Mystery Fans, Thriller Fans, Trailer Park Setting Fans, Sibling Story Fans, Friendship Story Fans, Grandma & Grandkids Story Fans, Upper Middle Grade Readers

The Truffle Underground: A Tale of Mystery, Mayhem, and Manipulation in the Shadowy Market of the World's Most Expensive Fungus by Ryan Jacobs

Ryan Jacobs takes readers to the heart of truffle country. He explores where truffles grow and talks to a mycologist who has studied them for ages. Then he explores historic truffle hunting, and how it happens today, and all the issues truffle growers and hunters have with theft, sabotage, and outright hostility in the quest to get the money truffles promise. From property theft and damage to murders to dog kidnappings and dog poisonings, those at the ground level can have a really rough time getting their truffles to market. Jacobs then takes readers to look at what life is like for the middlemen, the ones who buy from the hunters and send it on to big companies and restaurants and make a huge profit and the problems they face in getting unreliable products and/or temptations to mix in or downright substitute the best truffles with lesser ones and sell them off to end consumers as the real deal. He also talks about how theft hits them too. And then he looks at how common truffle tampering is now and in the past.

This is an eye-opening look at the craziness that is the truffle world! (And you’ll never look at truffle oil the same way again.)

Target Readers:

Truffle Fans, Nonfiction Fans, Crazy True Story Fans, True Crime Fans, Food Story Fans, Adult Readers (approachable to YA)

Zombie Makers: True Stories of Nature’s Undead by Rebecca L. Johnson

Johnson gives short 1-2 page descriptions of these fungi, nematodes, protozoans, insects, and viruses that take over the brains and bodies of other living creatures. Photos accompany each description.

I know, not all of this is fungus-related, but it is hard enough to find fungi books we'll take one that features at least some fungi along with other parasites. Not only will this have reluctant nonfiction readers saying ‘Eww, gross…tell me more!’, it includes very easy to understand scientific descriptions of the life cycles of protists, fungi, insects, and viruses. (And a healthy warning about watching where you get your water and food from. Though the author clearly clarifies which parasites can affect which creatures, and some cannot cause humans any harm…unless you live in the fictional book world of The Mutant Mushroom Takeover.)

Target Readers:

Parasite Studiers, Food and Water Safety Studiers, Reluctant Readers, Strange But True Fact Collectors, Nonfiction Fans, Science Nerds, Middle Grade Readers on up

Brainstorm 260: Winter Sports Reads #2

While the world is watching the Winter Olympics, I thought it would be a good time for some winter sports reads again. You'll notice this is Winter Sports Reads #2. That's because I shared some winter sports reads previously in Brainstorm #158 so see it as well for even more winter sports reads (I'm not repeating any titles for today's blog).  Click on each title below to see my full review plus any content notes/trigger warnings.

A Good Team (Unicorn & Yeti, #2) by Heather Ayris Burnell, ill. by Hazel Quintanilla

Unicorn and Yeti try to play with a ball but Unicorn is having trouble until they make a modification to the game. Unicorn then convinces Yeti to do a running race, even though Yeti has doubts as to whether it will be fun. And finally the two friends try out ice skating together.

A humorous graphic novel read that features two friends who have different strengths and weaknesses in sports but that doesn't mean they can't have fun together.

Target Readers:

Friendship Story Fans, Graphic Novel Fans, Leveled Reader Fans, Unicorn Lovers, Yeti Lovers, Fantasy Fans, Humor Fans, Sports Fans, Picture Book Readers

 

Hockey in the Wild (Life in the Wild) by Nicholas Oldland

Beaver, Moose, and Bear are super excited for the lake to freeze enough to play hockey. But it is taking a LONG time. Waiting is hard. Is it even worth it?

If you need a good laugh pick this one up. Oldland's illustrations are hilarious.

Target Readers:

Humor Fans, Forest Animal Lovers, Hockey Fans, Waiting Story Fans, Picture Book Readers

 

Ice Breaker: How Mabel Fairbanks Changed Figure Skating by Rose Viña, ill. by Claire Almon

A picture book biography of Mabel Fairbanks who never was allowed to compete in major ice skating events because of her skin color, but who coached and campaigned to help make sure the next generation could break the color barrier in skating.

An inspiring picture book biography of a girl who went from homeless to a performing skater, catalyst for social change, and mentor/coach for world champions.

Target Readers:

African American History Studiers, Inspirational Reads Fans, Picture Book Biography Fans, Ice Skating Fans, Nonfiction Fans, Lower Grade Readers

Skater Girl (Babymouse, #7) by Jennifer L. Holm, ill. by Matthew Holm

An ice skating coach notices Babymouse’s skills on the pond and recruits her to do some serious training with hopes of big trophies and Olympic gold. At first Babymouse is thrilled to know her skills have such promise, but after several days of grueling training, she isn’t sure trophies are worth the lack of sleep…or cutting cupcakes out of her diet.

This has lots of potential for good conversation starters with those kids who watch the Olympics and now have dreams of becoming a pro athlete. How hard are you willing to work for your dream? And of course, being Babymouse, it is also quite funny.

Target Readers:

Graphic Novel Fans, Wanna Be Pro Athletes, Ice Skating Fans, Babymouse Fans, Humor Fans, Reluctant Readers, Middle Grade Readers

Ski Soldier: a WWII Biography by Louise Borden

A free verse biography of Pete Siebert who grew up loving skiing and joined a special division of the US military that included men with skiing and mountaineering experience. Siebert was so good at skiing he actually instructed others in his division before they were shipped off to Italy for WWII. During a daring attack, Siebert was severely wounded and was told he may never walk again. But he persevered through rehab and went on to join the 1950 US Olympic team, and after that created the Vail ski resort.

There are photographs on almost every single page spread of this book, and it is quite pleasing aesthetically as well as being a fascinating true story.

Target Readers:

Biography Fans, Olympic Athlete Story Fans, WWII History Buffs, Skiing Fans, Beautiful Book Fans, Free Verse Fans, Quick Read Fans, Nonfiction Fans, Young Adult & Adult Readers (though approachable to upper Middle Grade)

Brainstorm 259: Tiger Books for the Year of the Tiger

I took off a few weeks for the winter break, but the Brainstorm is back this week with tiger stories for the Year of the Tiger that kicked off on February 1. Click on the titles to see my full reviews of each book including any content notes/trigger warnings.

Big Cats by Nic Bishop

Nic Bishop introduces readers to the various types of big cats, their common traits and habits, and unique traits and habits for each species. The information is accompanied by Bishop's own photographs of all the cats mentioned.

A quick read that is packed full of very readable information and stunning photos! A great start for kids who want to learn about real tigers.

Target Readers:

Nonfiction Fans, Curious Readers, Middle Grade Readers

Empire of Shadows (Bhinian Empire) by Miriam Forster

Mara is haunted by a mistake in her past. In hopes of making up for her past transgression, she joined the Order of Khatar. Now she has finished her training with the order and is setting out into the world to find the one worthy person she can pledge to defend with her life. Before she can even get to the city, Mara runs into two boys being stalked by a Sune tiger in the jungle. Saving Emil and Stefan from the tiger, she in turn gains the friendship of the two Kildi young men, though she has no reason to believe she'll ever see them again. The Kildi are nomadic traders. But through various methods, all of them make their way to the city and start to realize there is a treasonous plot in the works that has all of them in it's talons. 

It isn’t just the one tiger, cats of all kinds feature prominently in this world.

(This is a companion book to City of a Thousand Dolls by Miriam Forster, and there’s a little overlap of characters but it is not necessary to read both of them.)

Target Readers:

Cat Lovers, Asian-Inspired Imaginary Setting Fans, Fantasy Fans, Thriller Fans, Young Adult Readers

The Last King of Angkor Wat by Graeme Base

Gibbon, Tiger, Water Buffalo and Gecko have a contest to see who can get to the distant hill first and prove their worth as king. But along the way, each one demonstrates strengths and weaknesses observed by a wise overseer.

If you've ever read any of Graeme Base's books you know the story is only a tiny part of the book. His illustrations are stunning, and there's always a hidden picture element of some kind, and this book is no different.

Target Readers:

Asian Setting Fans, Asian Animal Fans, Fable/Folklore Fans, Picture Book Readers

 

No Beast So Fierce: the Champawat Tiger and Her Hunter, the First Tiger Conservationist by Dane Huckelbridge

In the early 1900s in northern India along the border of Nepal a tiger deviated from a normal tiger diet and started hunting and eating primarily humans. When the victims started numbering in the several hundreds and numerous locals and British hunters had failed to stop the beast, the government started to take note and asked Jim Corbett to see if he could put a stop to this serial killer. Huckelbridge dives into this story to look at the history and politics of the area, changes in ecological practices, the local people's historical relationship with tigers, and tiger science to figure out what drove this tiger to change its diet and venture into abnormal territory for a tiger. He also tells the story of Jim Corbett, the son of Irish expats who grew up in India, had a local Indian leader who took him under his wing after Jim's father died, and why Corbett was uniquely equipped to succeed where numerous others had failed and to do so in a way that was culturally respectable to the various peoples terrorized by the tiger but who also revered the tiger. It then explores how Corbett went on to be one of the earliest people to campaign for tiger conservation in India.

This was a very interesting look at how disrupting an ecosystem and putting apex predators out of whack can really be dangerous to everyone. It's an interesting look at the way tigers actually help subsistence farmers in India, and how deforestation hurts all of them. You don't walk away from this thinking tiger's are freaky and we need to get rid of all of them. Quite the opposite. You'll come away from this with a very healthy respect for tigers, but also an understanding of why the Indian ecosystem needs them.

Target Readers:

Disaster Read Fans, Tiger Lovers, Science in the Real Word Fans, Nonfiction Fans, Curious Readers, Biography Fans, Asian Setting Fans, Adult Readers (though approachable to YA) 

 

The Secret Life of a Tiger by Przemysław Wechterowicz, ill. by Emilia Dziubak, translated by Antonia Lloyd-Jones

You know tigers, right? Big stripy things that hang out in the jungle? But do you really know what a tiger does with his time? Prepare to be surprised.

Cute, imaginative, and superbly entertaining. And I loved all the other Asian animals included!

Target Readers:

Imaginative Readers, Silly Story Fans, Asian Animal Fans, Books in Translation Fans, Picture Book Readers 

 

The Tale of the Tiger Slippers by Jan Brett

Brett retells the folktale about a pair of slippers that take a tiger from humble beginnings to grand success. After he becomes successful he tries to get rid of the slippers in shame for their sorry shape, but they always come back to him and he eventually realizes it is good to remember where we came from.

I really liked the Indian setting and animals included.

Target Readers: 

India Setting Fans, Folktale Fans, Picture Book Readers

 

The Ogres’ Magic Clubs 도깨비 방망이 / The Tiger and the Dried Persimmons 호랑이와 곶감 (Korean Folk Tales for Children, #5) adapted by Duane Vorhees & Mark Muller ; illustrated by Kim Yon-kyong

Obviously, this book made it in this list for the second tale, but I’ll summarize both. This contains two Korean folktales retold in both English and Korean. 

In the first story, a young man out collecting wood stumbles upon the abode of ogres with magic clubs that generate silver and gold. He accidentally scares them away and becomes wealthy. His lazy older brother becomes jealous and tries to replicate his younger brother's adventure but with different results. 

In the second story, a hungry tiger emerges from his lair to find it winter. He slinks down into town in search of food and happens to overhear a mother warning her child to do something or the monstrous tiger will get him. The child doesn't cease his howling, but when faced with something called a persimmon, immediately the child quiets. The tiger believes that a persimmon must be a ferocious beast indeed if the child was scared of it but not a tiger. He cowers in the barn. A thief is also in the barn, trying to steal a cow. In the dark, the thief mistakes the tiger for a cow and the tiger is sure this must be the dreaded persimmon. The crazy mixup results in humorous events.

Target Readers:

Korean Setting Fans, Folktale Fans, Humor Fans, Fantasy Fans, Korean Language Speakers/Learners, Picture Book Readers

 

Tiger vs. Nightmare by Emily Tetri

Tiger has a friend Monster. Monster came when Tiger was really little and was supposed to scare him, but instead Monster decided to stay. Now Tiger and Monster share food, games, and then at night Monster scares away the nightmares. But one night a nightmare comes along that is a bit too much for Monster. Can Tiger and Monster figure out how to deal with this nasty nightmare?

This sounds scary, but Tiger and Monster are adorable friends who model great teamwork and problem solving. And their ultimate strategy for dealing with a nightmare may actually help real kids too.

Target Readers:

Fantasy Fans, Friendship Story Fans, Graphic Novel Fans, Lower Grade Readers

 

Where’s Halmoni? by Julie Kim

Two kids arrive at Halmoni's house (grandma's house) but can't find her anywhere. They do find a strange door though, and traveling through it takes them to an old folklore version of Korea filled with a clever rabbit, some hungry goblins, a conniving tiger, and sly fox. Can they find Halmoni and make it out when everyone speaks only Korean...and really fast at that so they can hardly understand?

There’s lots to love in this adventure/mystery/language puzzle in a Korean fantasy world with to Korean American kids.

Target Readers:

 Korean Folklore Fans, Korean Language Speakers/Learners, Grandkid/Grandparent Story Fans, Graphic Novel Fans, Picture Book Readers