17 Nov / Measuring Up by Lily LaMotte, illustrated by Ann Xu [in Shelf Awareness]
Debut author Lily LaMotte draws on her immigrant experiences – as well as her cooking show obsession – for a toothsome #OwnVoices graphic feast vibrantly illustrated by the Ignatz-nominated Ann Xu.
For 12-year-old Cici, leaving Taiwan means separation from her beloved A-má (grandmother). In Seattle, Cici’s classmates accuse her of eating “rotten worms” for lunch; the family mantra (“good grades, good college, good job, good life”) adds extra stress; and her overworked parents make her miss A-má even more. Entering a kids’ cooking contest with a cash prize provides the promising opportunity Cici needs to bring A-má to Seattle for her 70th birthday. In Measuring Up – as a chef, yes, but also as a friend, daughter, granddaughter – Cici figures out just the right ingredients for satisfying success.
Review: “Gift Issue,” Shelf Awareness, November 17, 2020
Readers: Middle Grade
Published: 2020