“Can there be diversity within diversity?” Riley Jo wonders, observing that other Asian students at her performing arts school are in orchestra, while she is a guitarist. The answer might be an obvious YES, but in real life, the differences — and conflicts — among people who look like you are a lot more complex.
In Mochi Mag’s latest roundup of books released in March and April, we capture some of the highs and lows of belonging to a group: It can feel like a warm hug or a gust of chilly wind.
Just a heads-up: Some of these treasures are linked to Bookshop.org, where every purchase supports both your reading journey and ours. Happy reading!
“Unhappy Camper” by Lily LaMotte and illustrated by Ann Xu and Sunmi (HarperAlley, April 23, 2024)
In this graphic novel, two sisters go to a Taiwanese American summer camp in Seattle. Claire is so excited about being a junior counselor and embracing Taiwanese culture. Michelle feels forced to go when she just wants to fit in with the popular crowd in junior high.
I loved the sisterhood aspect. Claire and Michelle find it hard to understand why the other wants to stand out or fit in. Both of their feelings are valid. Culture could seem so uncool when you are in middle school and coping with peer pressure. But at an older age, you might feel a little more confident and bold enough to embrace your culture. The heart of this graphic novel is how the sisters reconcile opposing attitudes and repair their relationship. LaMotte’s story, like in “Measuring Up,” has a lot of heart and protagonists who want to see their way through challenges, whether it’s a cooking contest or an unhappy time at summer camp. It was a treat to see campers doing activities like learning calligraphy, making shaved ice, and singing traditional Taiwanese songs through Xu and Sunmi’s artwork.
Similar to “Unhappy Camper,” “Summer at Squee” contains scenes that will be relatable if you’ve ever gone to Chinese school or summer…
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