The Year of the Rat

I liked the sequel a little better than the first one probably because there is a bit more conflict surrounding Grace/Pacy's life to which I think a lot of kids could relate. The range of that conflict stretches from “not quite fitting in and missing best friends” to “casual racism I suddenly realize I've been actively practicing as well as receiving.” Lin delivers important messages in a clear, concise, and not at all patronizing way. She takes difficult concepts like Taiwanese school systems several decades in past, foot binding, and the political differences between Taiwan and China, and makes them if not understandable at least visible to younger readers. I'm thinking I might do this series as a read aloud in the next school year.