The Magic Lunch Box (Ben Lee Series #1)
Written by Hanna Kim
Illustrated by Emily Paik
Published by Capstone
Fourth-grader Ben Lee is anxious to make new friends at his new school in Michigan. But on his first day, things take a turn for the worse. The other kids act grossed out by the homemade kimbap in his lunch box. Embarrassed, Ben makes an impulsive wish, and soon strange things start happening. A ham sandwich appears in his lunch box inside instead of Mom’s homemade mandoo. At first, Ben is thrilled. But soon the magical switcheroos start happening regularly and to other things—like Ben’s favorite Korean cartoon, Tobot V. And the special pencils his grandma sent from Korea. How far will the lunchbox magic go? And how far will Ben go to set things right?
Primary ISBN: 9781669014409
Publication Date: August 2023
Available As: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook
Middle Grade , Age 08 or older
Community Represented: Korean/Korean American, Mexican/Mexican American
Themes: Cross-Group Friendship, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Food, Discrimination: Cultural, Family Relationship: Parents, Generation: 1st, Genre: Fantasy & Folklore, Multilingual Character, Own Voices/Lived Experience, Recommended: Counterpoint to AAPI Hate, Welcoming by Individual
Setting: United States (Michigan)
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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