An honest and emotional story centring on 10-year-old Lina, who leaves China to reunite with her family in Los Angeles, after 5 years living apart with her grandma.

Exploring themes of family, friendship, separation, transitions, immigration, banned books (in this case graphic novels) and cultural differences, there is a lot to take in.

Lina must navigate a new and different culture, cope with learning a new language, meet new people and come to terms with the fact that her parents have not given her the whole picture of what life is truly like for them in America. The reality comes as quite a shock.

Working out the rules of a strange place and school system causes much anxiety. Mispronouncing words and being made fun of, means Lina fears talking in front of her classmates, until Lina meets a supportive teacher, librarian and new friend. They, quite literally, help her to stand up for what she believes in and realise she can make a difference just by being herself.

An important, thought-provoking read.