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“A Taiwanese American fifth grader confronts racist bullying. Most of the time, Měi Yīng feels no different from her friends. She loves playing soccer, eating macaroni and cheese, and searching for frogs. Other times, she feels alone: when strangers make fun of her mother’s accent, when a bully mocks her lunch, and when others watch these things happen and do nothing. …For readers who share Měi Yīng’s background, this story will feel painfully accurate; for others, it will be an accessible introduction to racial microaggressions and the harm they inflict.”

– Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

Fake Chinese Sounds

Written by Jing Jing Tsong
Illustrated by Jing Jing Tsong
Published by Kokila

A middle-grade graphic novel about a Taiwanese American girl navigating identity, bullying, and the messy process of learning to be comfortable in her skin.

Between homework, studying, and Chinese school, Měi Yīng’s summer is shaping up to be a boring one. Her only bright spots are practice with her soccer team, the Divas, and the time spent with her năi nai, who is visiting from Taiwan. Although Měi Yīng’s Mandarin isn’t the best and Năi Nai doesn’t speak English, they find other ways to connect, like cooking guōtiē together and doing tai chi in the mornings.

By the end of the summer, Měi Yīng is sad to see Năi Nai go—she’s the com­plete opposite of Měi Yīng’s serious professor mother—but excited to start fifth grade. Until new kid Sid starts making her the butt of racist jokes. Her best friend, Kirra, says to ignore him, but does everyone else’s silence about the harassment mean they’re also ignoring Sid . . . or her? As Sid’s bullying fuels Měi Yīng’s feelings of invisibility, she must learn to reclaim her identity and her voice.

Primary ISBN: 9780525553427
Publication Date: April 2024
Available As: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook
Middle Grade, Graphic Novel, Age 09 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Setting: Unspecified

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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