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Tuesday, January 10, 2023

New From Here, written by Kelly Yang. Simon & Schuster, 2022. $12.95 ages 8 and up


"I think it’s important to contain the virus and
protect people, but I also think that we should
not use this as an excuse to be hateful toward
people just because of where they came from.
In moments of human tragedy, we need to
show compassion and kindness.
"

As tired as the world is of dealing with COVID-19 and its many complications (including a new strain now proving its ability to infect at a much quicker rate), I think that stories such as this one are important. I wonder how long it will be until our children have forgotten how the world changed as the result of a world-wide pandemic. 

This story about the Wei-Evans family starts in Hong Kong as the coronavirus begins to ramp up. Work has taken the family there; now, a quick decision has been made to return to their home in California where it is assumed the family will be safe. Dad has to stay behind for work. For Knox, a ten-year-old who has struggles with change, two days is not nearly enough time to prepare for the move and leave his father. 

His first days at a new school are a shock. Because he is Asian, his classmates think he is partly responsible for the virus spreading. The family deals with racism in a number of places. At home, his mother is reeling from losing her Hong Kong job which she thought could be done remotely. Worries over the loss of health insurance for her family and her search to find a new job has anxiety for all at a high level. When all flights are cancelled due to  COVID concerns, the family has no idea when they will see Dad again. 

Knox is the middle child, and often finds himself in trouble due to his need for movement and his propensity for 'blurting-out' exactly what he is thinking. He is annoying to his older brother Bowen, and does his best to play with and distract his younger sister Lea. He keeps himself busy, otherwise, with his soccer ball. 

Complications pile one on top of the other; life is not nearly as idyllic as their mother had promised. The three children are determined to find a way to bring their father home. As they try a number of unsuccessful ways to make the money needed, they learn a lot about each other, togetherness, tenacity, and the hard work it takes to remain hopeful. Knox's first-person narrative is at times humorous, often filled with worry and concern, and compelling. It's a timely story, and would be a welcome readaloud in a middle years classroom, offering much to discuss together. 

An author's note is appended.  

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