Lost & found Based on a true story

Vivacious, art-focused Mei Yu could not be more excited to move to Canada from China with her parents and stuffed cat Meiow. She's especially eager to make friends at her new school, but when she arrives at an airport full of English speakers--abundant green text neatly denotes her perception of the language barrier--her unbridled enthusiasm instantly becomes anxiety-ridden dread. School proves just as trying: Mei accidentally enters the boys' bathroom and, at lunch, assumes that her classmates are judging her for eating her ham sandwich with chopsticks. After her baba creates a visual English glossary, Mei fastidiously employs this technique to skyrocket her language learning and confidence to boot--until she loses her sketchbook. Upon its recovery, she learns that her inventive problem-solving has inspired awe among her teachers and classmates. Illustrations rendered using black outlines and manga-style exaggerations reinforce Mei's oscillating emotions. This bright and bubbly early reader graphic novel, based on debut creator Yu's own immigration story, validates the sometimes overwhelming nature of learning an unfamiliar language as a child in a new country. Back matter includes an encouraging author's note, a glossary, and a letter to readers regarding intentional spelling mistakes in the text. Ages 7--10. Agent: Steven Salpeter, Curtis Brown Literary. (Apr.)

Gr 1--4--Leaving China for Canada initially sounds like a grand adventure, one that Mei is excited to go on with her parents. Joining them is her trusty toy cat Meiow, who is sometimes illustrated as a realistic talking cat that can interact with Mei and help analyze what is happening around her. Mei brims with hope and curiosity, until her family arrives in Canada and she quickly realizes that the changes are more drastic than she imagined. With uncertainty comes fear, and now every new experience is something to be dreaded. In a new school, with a new language, new kids, and new foods, Mei is overwhelmed. When her dad gives her a sketchbook, she finally has a way to process and learn some English words, though she's still stressed over how others perceive her. Much of the book is filled with cute, bubbly, vibrant artwork that becomes muted and often exaggerated to depict the fears plaguing Mei. Known words are quickly established to be in black, whereas unknown words (English) are in green, helping delineate what Mei actually understands. Yu's fictionalized biographical immigration story highlights perseverance and creative problem solving. The "Note to Readers," author's note, and bonus story are fantastic additions. VERDICT Highly recommended.--Lisa Rowland

YouTube artist and content creator Yu makes her graphic novel debut with a story inspired by her family's move from their native China to Canada. Drawn with an exuberant smile and bouncing ponytail, young Mei is initially thrilled to leave home. She imagines that in Canada she'll have plenty of new friends and a spacious bedroom--and that she'll encounter cuddly polar bears. Reality proves to be much more difficult. Mei neither speaks nor reads English, and, upon disembarking from the plane, she realizes that the language barrier is much scarier than she could have anticipated. Things only get worse when she arrives for her first day of school. She's unable to communicate with the other students or even to ask to go to the bathroom; her day is full of fear and humiliation. While Mei's struggles with language form the central and most fully developed conflict, she must also navigate other challenges, from her first bologna sandwich to the realization that her parents, too, are struggling to adapt to their new home. Yu's manga-style art is full of silly and dramatic flourishes that perfectly capture the overwhelming experience of culture shock. Mei uses creative thinking and her love of art to find her way, and readers will rejoice at the winsome hero's triumphs. Charming, funny, and full of heart. (note about spelling, author's note, English-Mandarin Chinese glossary, bonus story) (Graphic memoir. 7-10) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.