February 28, 2023 by HarperCollins US
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Pearl lives in Sunnyside, California with her older sister Pearl and her parents, who have just started a tech company and spend long hours working. Originally from Taiwan, they've encouraged the girls to continue to communicate in Mandarin, although they can understand Taiwanese. Since her parents are frequently working longs hours, and her sister has not only her high school courses but coding projects that keep her hunched over a computer, Pearl is often left to her own devices. This isn't too much of a problem, as she loves to hang out with long time friend, Priya, who is artistic and fiercely defends Pearl, and new friend Cindy, who has just come to the US from Hong Kong. Pearl spends a lot of time crocheting arimgurumi animals. A local cafe, Boba Time, is run by Auntie Cha, who encourages Pearl's needlework and also offers a sympathetic ear when Pearl isn't able to spend time with her parents. Because her crocheting projects are cute, her mother considers them not a good past time, and wants Pearl to take up coding instead. Auntie Cha understands, helps Pearl if she needs tips or advice, offers tea and comfort, and seems to understand her better than her own family. When Pearl finds out that Boba Time might close, she panics, and comes up with a plan to help the cafe out by selling her arimgurumi creations online. There are lots of obstacles, but she also manages to raise enough money to have a booth at a local crafts fair that thousands attend, so she hopes to be able to raise the money needed and therefore keep the cafe open. Some of this entrepreneurship involves lying to her parents, and Jade eventually finds this out. Since Jade successfully marketed a phone app, she agrees to help Pearl with her ruse, not tell their parents, and make sure that Pearl is able to sell some things. While this is all going on, there are problems with her friends. Priya, whose family is of Indian descent, sometimes feels left out when Cindy and Pearl converse in Mandarin, and Pearl is so single minded in her pursuit of raising funds that she often ignores her friends needs, and they fall out. Oddly, she makes some peace with her nemesis at school, Kendall Stewart, who is part Asian and trying to learn to enjoy some of the cultural things like boba tea and origami that her grandmother likes. If Pearl's parents find out about her business, will they put an end to it? And will Boba Time be able to survive when Auntie Cha has reasons beyond the monetary to close up shop?
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Pearl lives in Sunnyside, California with her older sister Pearl and her parents, who have just started a tech company and spend long hours working. Originally from Taiwan, they've encouraged the girls to continue to communicate in Mandarin, although they can understand Taiwanese. Since her parents are frequently working longs hours, and her sister has not only her high school courses but coding projects that keep her hunched over a computer, Pearl is often left to her own devices. This isn't too much of a problem, as she loves to hang out with long time friend, Priya, who is artistic and fiercely defends Pearl, and new friend Cindy, who has just come to the US from Hong Kong. Pearl spends a lot of time crocheting arimgurumi animals. A local cafe, Boba Time, is run by Auntie Cha, who encourages Pearl's needlework and also offers a sympathetic ear when Pearl isn't able to spend time with her parents. Because her crocheting projects are cute, her mother considers them not a good past time, and wants Pearl to take up coding instead. Auntie Cha understands, helps Pearl if she needs tips or advice, offers tea and comfort, and seems to understand her better than her own family. When Pearl finds out that Boba Time might close, she panics, and comes up with a plan to help the cafe out by selling her arimgurumi creations online. There are lots of obstacles, but she also manages to raise enough money to have a booth at a local crafts fair that thousands attend, so she hopes to be able to raise the money needed and therefore keep the cafe open. Some of this entrepreneurship involves lying to her parents, and Jade eventually finds this out. Since Jade successfully marketed a phone app, she agrees to help Pearl with her ruse, not tell their parents, and make sure that Pearl is able to sell some things. While this is all going on, there are problems with her friends. Priya, whose family is of Indian descent, sometimes feels left out when Cindy and Pearl converse in Mandarin, and Pearl is so single minded in her pursuit of raising funds that she often ignores her friends needs, and they fall out. Oddly, she makes some peace with her nemesis at school, Kendall Stewart, who is part Asian and trying to learn to enjoy some of the cultural things like boba tea and origami that her grandmother likes. If Pearl's parents find out about her business, will they put an end to it? And will Boba Time be able to survive when Auntie Cha has reasons beyond the monetary to close up shop?
Strengths: WE NEED MORE NEEDLECRAFT BOOKS!!! I'm sorry, did I just scream that? If you've read my blog for a while, and especially if you follow me on Instagram, you will know how ridiculously fond I am of knitting, sewing, and quilting. When did I start? When I was four. By the time I was in middle school I was making my own clothes and really into needlework. I have several students now who are pursuing these endeavors, and I can think of no books that show students doing these things! Not only that, but there were many good things for readers who aren't as into crafts. There's boba tea! A local cafe! Friend drama! Entrepreneurship! I was especially impressed with the details about that. Business plans, profit statements, online shop setting up. Not only that, but the ways around her parents that Pearl found seemed completely logical and reasonable. I've read a lot of middle grade books that did not seem feasible, but this very deliberately made Pearl's actions seem possible. I loved Jade, the story with Kendall was intriguing, and, of course, there was some really cute crochet!
Weaknesses: There are always people who aren't thrilled when children lie to their parents, but Pearl and her mother were able to eventually have some good dialogue about everything that was going on. There was also a comment that Cindy has to keep taking ELL classes because the principal wanted her to; in Ohio, there are very strict rules a bout ELL. Students have to test out of the classes to stop recieving services (which are meant to be supportive, not punitive!), but can also be excused from them if parents request it.
What I really think: I really enjoyed this one. There was a lot going on, and writing the review I realized that this could have been a bit more streamlined, but I was able to remember the characters well, and all the subplots, so I don't think this will be too confusing for my students. Like Pearl's enthusiasm, which carries her forward even though she hasn't thought her plans through all the way, the upbeat tone and interest in different topics propels this book quickly toward its conclusion. I'll be interested to see what Ms. Chen writes next.
Weaknesses: There are always people who aren't thrilled when children lie to their parents, but Pearl and her mother were able to eventually have some good dialogue about everything that was going on. There was also a comment that Cindy has to keep taking ELL classes because the principal wanted her to; in Ohio, there are very strict rules a bout ELL. Students have to test out of the classes to stop recieving services (which are meant to be supportive, not punitive!), but can also be excused from them if parents request it.
What I really think: I really enjoyed this one. There was a lot going on, and writing the review I realized that this could have been a bit more streamlined, but I was able to remember the characters well, and all the subplots, so I don't think this will be too confusing for my students. Like Pearl's enthusiasm, which carries her forward even though she hasn't thought her plans through all the way, the upbeat tone and interest in different topics propels this book quickly toward its conclusion. I'll be interested to see what Ms. Chen writes next.
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