#MMGM: Finally Seen by Kelly Yang
REVIEW
Lina Gao leaves China to join her parents and little sister in America. To her shock, she discovers that their living situation is very different than she was led to believe. As she struggles to get to know her family again she wonders if there's a place for her in this family. Helping her mother with her business though helps smooth the way a bit. Her uncertainty extends to school and the teasing she endures because her English isn't perfect. Thanks to a kind teacher, an understanding ELL teacher, a great librarian, and some books she can connect to, Lina begins to adjust to her new environment. But nothing lessons the guilt she feels for leaving her Lao Lao (grandmother) behind in a nursing home. Her grandmother's struggle to adapt to a new environment mirrors her own and the guilt troubles her. Lina's confidence begins to grow as she makes a friend and sees her own feelings in some books she reads. As she helps her mother and sister with creating a business by using her artistic skills, she slowly begins to find her voice. When a book her class is reading, that she really connected with, is challenged by a parent, she decides it's time to stand up and be seen no matter how much it scares her. And her courage inspires her parents to do the same.
There were many things I loved about this book. Lina makes a very winning character from the first page. Her desire to be reunited with her parents and sister even though she really loves her grandmother won my empathy immediately. The shock of discovering her parents lies and the confusion of a new country, and her brave attempts to use English only to be mocked really touched my heart. I also loved the way the author brought in books as mirrors for Lina as she wrestles with her new situation and the guilt of leaving her grandmother behind. And I'm always a fan of stories with great teachers and librarians. I had to stop reading for a time when I got to the book banning part, I have some rather strong emotions about that particular subject. But I was thrilled to come back to the story and read about Lina's courage in speaking up despite past mockery. The struggles of Lina and her family working to pay back rent while her father works for an employer who treats him poorly shone through as a stark reminder of the tremendous costs that COVID-19 has wreaked on so many families. Yang's story really hit home for me and I look forward to sharing it with my students. Thank you Kelly Yang for writing such an important book that works so well as a mirror and a window and hopefully even a sliding door for young readers.
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