Auntie Q’s Golden Claws Nail Salon
Written by Van Hoang
Published by Roaring Brook Press
Twelve-year-old Domi Pham had the perfect summer planned: lounging by the pool, making art with her best friend, and celebrating her escape from seventh grade. But one costly mistake puts her dream summer on hold. Instead, she finds herself deep in debt to her parents, and shipped off to New Mexico to work at her Auntie Q’s nail salon for the next three months.
At first, Domi is miserable—surrounded by nosy aunties, constant nail polish fumes, and endless work. But as she gets to know Auntie Q and the people in the salon, she starts to see their struggles and resilience in a new light. When she discovers that the salon is at risk of closing, Domi puts her creativity and determination to the test to help save it.
Primary ISBN: 9781250365323
Publication Date: April 2026
Available As: Hardcover, eBook
Middle Grade, Age 08 or older
Community Represented: Vietnamese/Vietnamese American
Themes: Accolades & Awards, Accolades & Awards: Starred Review, Arts, Coming of Age, Cultural Empowerment, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Family, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Identity, Family Relationship: Extended, Family Relationship: Parents, Generation: 1st, Generational Differences, Identity: Exploration, Own Voices/Lived Experience
Setting: United States (Irvine CA, Albuquerque NM)
Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: 1st Generation
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience
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