Measuring Up

September 15, 2020
An aspiring young chef discovers her innate resourcefulness and the courage of her convictions. In this contemporary immigrant story, 12-year-old Cici moves from Taiwan to Seattle with her professional parents, who promote a straightforward formula for success: "good grades, good college, good job." Cici, however, is sad to leave her grandmother and is determined to bring A-m� to the United States for her 70th birthday. When a junior cooking contest presents the prospect of funding A-m�'s airfare, Cici, an able chef, aims to win and begins making "American" foods. Working with her in-contest partner Miranda, Cici learns to make porcini risotto, not to overcook pasta, and that she is a super taster. This revelation reminds readers of the secret spice mixture that A-m� taught Cici when she was little--will it help her win the contest? Similar hints of superhero identity lurk throughout this textured graphic novel filled with heart and humor, centering girls with budding ambitions, subverting tropes, and celebrating everyday heroes--including the librarian who introduces Cici to Julia Child. Word to the wise: Readers should not pick up this book while hungry unless they have treats nearby such as Taiwanese minced pork over rice, or at least a bubble tea to go with that pineapple cake and zucchini chocolate cookie. Bold and nuanced, this intercultural "cook book" dishes up hearty morsels well worth savoring. (Graphic fiction. 9-13)

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October 15, 2020
Grades 3-6 Newly transplanted to Seattle, 12-year-old Cici does her best to blend in at her new middle school, even though she misses her beloved A-m�, her paternal grandmother who she left back in Taiwan. Cici is desperate to bring her grandmother to America for a visit, but how to pay for it? A local cooking contest with a $1,000 grand prize might be the answer, but will her favorite Taiwanese dishes be enough to win over the judges? This sweet, family-oriented graphic novel celebrates cultural traditions and new beginnings in equal measure. Cici is good at making friends and adjusting to American culture, but she also celebrates her Taiwanese roots, finding joy and balance in both. First-time author LaMotte brings an obvious love of food and cooking to a positive story that aspiring young chefs will devour. Xu's manga-influenced full-color illustrations set a gentle tone to this highly appealing story of new beginnings.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)

October 30, 2020

GR 3-7-Twelve-year-old Cici and her parents have moved from Taiwan to Seattle, leaving not only Cici's friends behind but her beloved A-m� as well. A-m�, with whom Cici would visit the market every morning and practice cooking favorite recipes, is about to turn 70, and Cici's biggest wish is for her grandmother to fly to Seattle and celebrate with the whole family. But how can they afford the expensive plane ticket? A potential solution appears in the form of a cooking contest at a local shop-Platinum Jr. Chef ("because platinum is obviously better than iron"), featuring a $1,000 prize! But Cici wonders: Will the judges accept her Taiwanese cooking, or will she have to quickly learn American recipes? As she moves through the contest, Cici makes new friends, draws strength and inspiration from her family's traditions and from lessons learned in her new home, and discovers the power of trusting her convictions. Cici is a plucky, bighearted protagonist, tackling head-on the many challenges her new circumstances throw at her, such as coping with a steady barrage of microaggressions, trying to fit in, and finding a way to reconcile the demands of American kid-hood with her parents' hopes and expectations. Bright, full-color illustrations bring the story to life. Clean and expressive line drawings on simply colored backgrounds leave lots of room for the story's big emotions, while also allowing for the delightful level of finer detail that is employed for the cooking sections. VERDICT Purchase wherever feel-good family stories are in demand, and recommend especially to readers who love cooking-filled comics.-Darla Salva Cruz, Suffolk Cooperative Lib. Syst., Bellport, NY

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 16, 2020
Twelve-year-old Cici’s life in Taiwan is upended when her parents decide to immigrate to Seattle in this full-color contemporary graphic novel debut. Saying goodbye to her friends is difficult, but leaving her beloved caretaker, cook, and paternal grandmother, A-Má, is much worse. Determined to bring A-Má over to celebrate her 70th birthday, Cici decides to enter Platinum Jr. Chef, a six-round Saturday cooking competition at a local cooking store with a $1,000 prize. Tensions arise as Cici struggles to navigate American-style cooking, new friendships, and her schoolwork, but encouragement from A-Má via video chats (and from Julia Child, via a recommendation from Cici’s favorite librarian) keeps her focused. LaMotte’s accessible writing resonates in sketching a diaspora experience (“When people see us, no matter how American we become, they always see someone who’s not like them. We always have to prove ourselves first”), and Xu’s simple, inviting illustrations will charm young readers. Familiar ingredients—the lunch box moment, disagreements over grades and goals, and cultural alienation scenes—make an appearance, but in LaMotte and Xu’s capable hands, the result is heartwarming fare that will appeal to all. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 8–12. Author’s agents: Laura Rennert, Andrea Brown Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Susan Graham, Einstein Literary.