Danny Chung Sums It Up
(Libby/OverDrive eBook, Kindle)

As befits one born in the year of the Dragon, 11-year-old Brit Danny Chung is artistic and loves to draw. His math skills, however, are lacking, especially according to his Ba, who believes Danny should devote his time to more constructive pursuits. Big proponents of "the Chinese Way"--embracing traditional Chinese values--Danny's parents arrange for his Nai Nai to come from China to live with them in England, hoping Danny will learn about Chinese culture and to respect his elders. Predictably, frustration arises. Not only is Danny unable to communicate with her fluently, Nai Nai's very presence renders him the school laughingstock when she visits his classroom to feed him chicken feet, and a giant math project is proving daunting. But luckily for Danny, Nai Nai's mathematical prowess is something to behold. As the two confront the seemingly insurmountable language barrier with a love for numbers and art, Danny begins to view Nai Nai in a different light. Chan wholeheartedly portrays intergenerational relationships and cross-cultural exchange in a way that resonates. While several elements will be familiar to readers of similar titles, classic middle grade humor and detailed b&w sketchbook drawings by Quek add humor to an insightful read. Ages 8--12. Agent (for Chan): Chloe Seager, Madeleine Milburn Literary, TV and Film Agency;(for Quek): Alice Williams, Alice Williams Literary. (Sept.)

Eleven-year-old Danny is surprised by his parents with a new bunk bed--and a roommate--when his grandmother from China comes to England and moves in with them. While he'd rather spend time with his friends, Danny's tasked with showing his paternal grandmother, Nai Nai, around. Nai Nai doesn't speak English, and her lack of familiarity with the local culture continually embarrasses Danny. But the more time he spends with her, the more Danny finds to admire. The intergenerational relationship between grandmother and grandson shows the power of love to connect across ages, cultures, and language barriers, as Danny doesn't speak Nai Nai's dialect. Told with humor and authenticity, this refreshingly sweet story also touches on the challenges Danny and his family face as British Chinese people: Although Danny was born in England, he is still subjected to stereotypes about his race (contrary to others' beliefs, he struggles with math) and witnesses xenophobia toward his grandmother. Despite their limited verbal communication, Nai Nai's actions show the lengths she'll go to protect and stand up for her grandson. Her strength inspires Danny in multiple ways and their bond helps bridge the cultural gap between Danny's artistic passion and his parents' ambitions for him. Danny's detailed drawings appear throughout the book and reinforce his cheeky, irreverent sense of humor and dedication to his art. Funny and heartwarming; a balanced equation of family, culture, and being true to yourself. (Fiction. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

As befits one born in the year of the Dragon, 11-year-old Brit Danny Chung is artistic and loves to draw. His math skills, however, are lacking, especially according to his Ba, who believes Danny should devote his time to more constructive pursuits. Big proponents of "the Chinese Way"—embracing traditional Chinese values—Danny's parents arrange for his Nai Nai to come from China to live with them in England, hoping Danny will learn about Chinese culture and to respect his elders. Predictably, frustration arises. Not only is Danny unable to communicate with her fluently, Nai Nai's very presence renders him the school laughingstock when she visits his classroom to feed him chicken feet, and a giant math project is proving daunting. But luckily for Danny, Nai Nai's mathematical prowess is something to behold. As the two confront the seemingly insurmountable language barrier with a love for numbers and art, Danny begins to view Nai Nai in a different light. Chan wholeheartedly portrays intergenerational relationships and cross-cultural exchange in a way that resonates. While several elements will be familiar to readers of similar titles, classic middle grade humor and detailed b&w sketchbook drawings by Quek add humor to an insightful read. Ages 8–12. Agent (for Chan): Chloe Seager, Madeleine Milburn Literary, TV and Film Agency;(for Quek): Alice Williams, Alice Williams Literary. (Sept.)