The Nhia Normal: Losing It in Translation
Written by Sheelue Yang
Illustrated by Karen Donnelly
Published by Stone Arch Books
Eleven-year-old Nhia struggles with anxiety while visiting her non-English speaking grandparents in this installment of The Niah Normal graphic novel series.
Eleven-year-old Nhia “Silver” Lee is visiting her Hmong grandparents, but she doesn’t speak their language—at least not very well. Enter: Anxiety. Nhia fears she won’t be able to connect with her grandparents due to this language barrier. Fortunately, while helping her grandpa on the farm and cooking with her grandmother, Nhia discovers that words aren’t the only way to show love.
Written by Hmong American Sheelue Yang, this graphic novel is a darkly humorous, normalizing exploration of coming-of-age anxiety through the lens of an authentic preteen girl.
Don’t miss the rest of the series! Explore:
- The Nhia Normal: School of Negative Thought
- The Nhia Normal: A Talent Show of Nerves
- The Nhia Normal: What-a-Bummer Camp
Primary ISBN: 9781669060253
Publication Date: August 2024
Available As: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook
Middle Grade, Graphic Novel, Age 08 or older
Community Represented: Hmong/Hmong American
Themes: Coming of Age, Cultural Empowerment, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Family, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Food, Family Relationship: Grandparents, Format: Graphic Novel, Generation: 2nd, Generational Differences, Generational Differences: Language, Mental Health, Own Voices/Lived Experience
Setting: United States
Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: 2nd Generation
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience
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