Parents' Choice Recommended Award

2004

San Franciso Chronicle

"In this quiet study of two girls, Cheng explores the universal difficulties of fitting in—at school, at home, in the community. … Many moments feel real—from secret meetings under the honeysuckle to a foray into the abandoned house next door, in which the suspense is palpable. Add in little lies, acts of bravery, family tussles and tensions, and a surprise or two. From this natural portrayal of childhood, Cheng reveals important truths about being true to friends, family and self."

School Library Journal

"With a smoothly drawn and interesting plot, strong characters, andgraceful writing, the story has more immediacy than much realisticcontemporary fiction. ... With a strong social conscience behind itas well, this absorbing novel has a lot going for it."

Horn Book Guide

"Equally strong as a story of friendship, of three contrasting families, and of the immigrant experience."

San Franciso Chronicle

"In this quiet study of two girls, Cheng explores the universal difficulties of fitting in—at school, at home, in the community. … Many moments feel real—from secret meetings under the honeysuckle to a foray into the abandoned house next door, in which the suspense is palpable. Add in little lies, acts of bravery, family tussles and tensions, and a surprise or two. From this natural portrayal of childhood, Cheng reveals important truths about being true to friends, family and self."

School Library Journal

"With a smoothly drawn and interesting plot, strong characters, andgraceful writing, the story has more immediacy than much realisticcontemporary fiction. ... With a strong social conscience behind itas well, this absorbing novel has a lot going for it."

Horn Book Guide

"Equally strong as a story of friendship, of three contrasting families, and of the immigrant experience."

Horn Book

"What distinguishes the story are the judiciously selected actions and details that give its characters vivid individuality—how insecurity can be expressed as anger, the way subtle racism rankles, the little things that unify a family. Equally strong as a story of friendship, of three contrasting families, and of the immigrant experience."

Booklist

"This novel is certainly a friendship story, but it moves beyond the usual immigration-assimilation scenario to show the cultural differences across generations and inside families. Ting's dad, desperate for his green card, hates needing Ting's help ("Just because you know English, do you think you know more than you father?"'), and the parents tensions are always on the edge of each girl's personal conflict. Although there's no neat resolution, the girls do become friends, and Sarah enjoys learning some Chinese, even as she chops off her long, straight black hair. Many readers, and not only new immigrants, will recognize the truth about how hard it is to fit in."

Publishers Weekly

"Alternating between the perspectives of two fourth-grade narrators, Cheng (Marika) proves herself a gifted and sympathetic observer of middle-graders' conflicts and concerns."

Kirkus Reviews

"This deft character-driven story about two ten-year-old girls rings withclarity. … Honesty and subtlety co-exist in Cheng's thoughtful,never-didactic writing."

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"The text is quietly eloquent in its restrained expression, and Cheng conveys a considerable amount of nuance through her characters' apparently straightforward observations. Though Tina's story of adaptation is the strong plot line, the alternation between Sarah's and Tina's point of view effectively transforms this into a book about survival of loss and change rather than one that focuses specifically on immigration, and the gentle exploration of Sarah's initial resentment of Tina will also offer readers food for thought. This will satisfy readers not quite ready for An Na's immigrant drama Step From Heaven, or those simply looking for a different take on the old story of new friendship."

Voice of Youth Advocate

"Books for those frequently overlooked intermediate grade girls are rare, especially one as poignant as this slim novel. Cheng seamlessly blends the stories of the lives of these three young girls, their sorrows and secrets, their joys and fears, and their families and friends. The author is careful not to wrap up all of the girls' problems in a nice neat package at the end of this story. Instead reader will find that more time is needed to complete the new friendship; to cement new relationships among family members. This realistic take on pre pubescence is refreshing. Girls looking for stories about school and friendship and family will be thrilled to discover this book."

Christian School International Library Materials Guide

"Books for those frequently overlooked intermediate grade girls are rare, especially one as poignant as this slim novel. Cheng seamlessly blends the stories of the lives of these three young girls, their sorrows and secrets, their joys and fears, and their families and friends. The author is careful not to wrap up all of the girls' problems in a nice neat package at the end of this story. Instead reader will find that more time is needed to complete the new friendship; to cement new relationships among family members. This realistic take on pre pubescence is refreshing. Girls looking for stories about school and friendship and family will be thrilled to discover this book."

Midwest Book Review, The--Children's Bookwatch

"[An] inviting story of friendship."

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"The text is quietly eloquent in its restrained expression, and Cheng conveys a considerable amount of nuance through her characters' apparently straightforward observations. Though Tina's story of adaptation is the strong plot line, the alternation between Sarah's and Tina's point of view effectively transforms this into a book about survival of loss and change rather than one that focuses specifically on immigration, and the gentle exploration of Sarah's initial resentment of Tina will also offer readers food for thought. This will satisfy readers not quite ready for An Na's immigrant drama Step From Heaven, or those simply looking for a different take on the old story of new friendship."

Library Media Connection

"This is a sensitive story about friendship and identity. The issue of racism is handled very effectively. …The prose captures the emotional intensity of the girls' struggle to overcome the pain of separation from their friends and family. The characters are fully developed. This is a story of quiet courage as Sarah and Ting eventually forge a friendship based upon their respect for each other, not because they are of Chinese descent."

Multicultural Review

"[A]n easy and delightful read."