From the New York Times bestselling author of Front Desk comes a
gripping middle grade novel about a young girl who leaves China to live
with her parents and sister, after five years apart, and learns about
family, friendship, and the power of being finally seen.
My sister got to grow up with my parents. Me? I grew up with postcards
from my parents.
When ten-year-old Lina Gao steps off the plane in Los Angeles, it's her
first time in America and the first time seeing her parents and her
little sister in five years! She's been waiting for this moment every
day while she lived with her grandmother in Beijing, getting teased by
kids at school who called her "left behind girl." Finally, her parents
are ready for her to join their fabulous life in America! Except, it's
not exactly like in the postcards:
1. School's a lot harder than she thought. When she mispronounces some
words in English on the first day, she decides she simply won't talk.
Ever again.
2. Her chatty little sister has no problem with English. And seems to
do everything better than Lina, including knowing exactly the way to her
parents' hearts.
3. They live in an apartment, not a house like in Mom's letters, and
they owe a lot of back rent from the pandemic. And Mom's plan to pay
it back sounds more like a hobby than a moneymaker.
As she reckons with her hurt, Lina tries to keep a lid on her feelings,
both at home and at school. When her teacher starts facing challenges
for her latest book selection, a book that deeply resonates with Lina,
it will take all of Lina's courage and resilience to get over her fear
in order to choose a future where she's finally seen.
