Name: The Many Meanings of Meilan by: Andrea Wang
SKU: 5931
Availability: InStock

The Many Meanings of Meilan by: Andrea Wang

The Many Meanings of Meilan

(2021) by Andrea Wang is a middle-grade novel about Meilan Hua, a Chinese-American girl who moves from Boston to rural Ohio after her family fractures. It explores themes of identity, racism, and belonging as she navigates a new school where her name is changed to “Melanie” discovering her own inner strength and voice.

Key Aspects of the Book:

Identity and Names: The story centers on Meilan exploring different facets of her identity, modeled on various Chinese characters that share the same pronunciation as her name.
Setting: The plot moves from the familiarity of a family bakery in Boston’s Chinatown to a stark, challenging environment in a small Ohio town.
Themes: Key topics include handling injustice, dealing with grief, and finding a sense of home and self-acceptance.
Awards: The book is a 2022 Chinese American Librarians Association (CALA) Best Book Award Honor Book and a 2022 Ohioana Book Award Finalist.

The story is described as a “vibrant exploration of family and identity” with a “fierce protagonist”.

1 in stock

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