This week’s Brainstorm takes a look at stories about grandchildren and grandparents who are separated by an ocean for much of the year, the celebrations of the times when they can be together, and the bonds that can stay strong despite the distance. Most of these stories come from the authors and illustrators own experiences, so make sure you read the author's and illustrator's notes in the back of these books! Click on the title of each book to see my full review and any content notes/trigger warnings.
Amah Faraway by Margaret Chiu Greanias, ill. by Subisak
Kylie is going to visit her Amah in Taiwan. It's a long way away, she only knows her Amah from video chats, and Taipei is full of new things. Kylie is a bit overwhelmed. Can she ever feel comfortable with Amah in her home city?
Target Readers:
Granddaughter/Grandmother Story Fans, Travel Story Fans, Taiwan Setting Fans, Taiwanese/Taiwanese American Character Fans, Contemporary Fiction Fans, Picture Book Readers
Any Day with You by Mae Respicio
Kaia is really looking forward to 2 things this summer: film camp where she can grow her special effects makeup skills and spending time with Tatang (her great-grandfather) doing all their favorite things. But the summer gets a shade of sadness to it when Tatang announces that he's moving back to the Philippines for good at the end of the summer. Kaia adores Tatang, his stories inspired by Filipino mythology, and their special activities they do together. She figures that if she and her two best friends win the film competition they work on at camp maybe that will convince Tatang to stay.
Target Readers:
Great-Granddaughter/Great-Grandfather Story Fans, Contemporary Fiction Fans, Friendship Story Fans, Summer Story Fans, Young Movie Maker Character Fans, Filipino/Filipino American Character Fans, California Setting Fans, Middle Grade Readers
Grandpa across the Ocean by Hyewon Yum
A little boy visits his Grandpa in Korea, which is way across the ocean. At first, the little boy doesn't like his Grandpa's strange house, strange language, strange food, and thinks he is boring. But soon, they start to discover they have several things in common, and maybe the summer with Grandpa isn't so bad after all.
Target Readers:
Grandfather/Grandson Story Fans, Korea Setting Fans, Travel Story Fans, Contemporary Fiction Fans, Korean/Korean American Character Fans, Picture Book 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.
Target Readers:
Grandmother/Granddaughter Story Fans, Immigrant Story Fans, Taiwanese Character Fans, Picture Book Readers
I'll Go and Come Back by Rajani LaRocca, ill. by Sara Palacios
Jyoti goes to visit her grandmother, her Sita Pati, in India. At first Jyoti finds India overwhelming and she misses her home across the ocean. But Sita Pati helps her explore different activities, foods, and experiences that make Jyoti sad to leave at the end. The next summer Sita Pati visits Jyoti in America. Now Sita Pati is the one missing home and it is Jyoti's turn to help her visit memorable and fun.
Target Readers:
Grandmother/Granddaughter Story Fans, India Setting Fans, Travel Story Fans, Indian/Indian American Character Fans, Pattern Noticing Practicers, Summer Story Fans, Picture Book Readers
In Search of a Prince (In Search of a Prince, #1) by Toni Shiloh
Brielle Adebayo's world is turned upside down when her grandfather on her deceased dad's side reaches out and invites her to come visit to learn about the nation she is next in line to rule. Brielle had no clue her father was the crowned prince of a small island African nation. He died before she really knew him, and her mother has evidently been very good at keeping the secret. Brielle gets a sub for her middle school classroom, gets her best friend to travel with her, and flies off to meet this royal grandfather she never knew existed. She arrives to learn that her grandfather is dying and she has just days to decide if she wants to claim her birthright or abdicate. And if she does choose to claim the throne there's a further stipulation that she has to marry a local man before her grandfather dies.
Target Readers:
Grandfather/Granddaughter Story Fans, African Setting Fans, Princess Diaries-type Story Fans, Love Story Fans, Contemporary Fiction Fans, African/African American Character Fans, Christian Fiction Fans, Travel Story Fans, Adult Readers (though approachable to YA)
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:
Grandmother/Granddaughter Story Fans, Graphic Novel Fans, Contemporary Fiction Fans, Foodies, Friendship Story Fans, Immigrant Story Fans, Taiwanese Character Fans, Middle Grade Readers
Mindy Kim and the Trip to Korea (Mindy Kim, #5) Lyla Lee, ill. by Dung Ho
Mindy Kim is going to South Korea to visit her grandparents and cousins. Her dad's girlfriend, Julie, is also going with them to meet the family for the first time. Both of them are a little nervous. Julie wants to make a good impression, and Mindy is nervous about communicating with her grandparents and her cousins since her Korean is only so-so and their English is only so-so. Will this trip be fantastic, or a big flop?
Target Readers:
Grandparents/Granddaughter Story Fans, Cousin Story Fans, Korea Setting Fans, Travel Story Fans, Korean/Korean American Character Fans, Contemporary Fiction Fans, Lower Grade Readers
When Lola Visits by Michelle Sterling, ill. by Aaron Asis
A description of what sights, sounds, tastes, and smells summer brings for a Filipina American girl during a season full of special foods and events as her grandmother visits from across the ocean.
Target Readers:
Grandmother/Granddaughter Story Fans, Summer Story Fans, Filipino/Filipino American Character Fans, Sensory Language Studiers, Foodies, Contemporary Fiction Fans, Art Lovers, Picture Book Readers
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