My Beijing

August 1, 2018

Gr 2-4-Four slice-of-life stories about a young girl and her grandfather in a hutong neighborhood of Beijing make up this quiet graphic novel. In the first, Yu'er, who has limited use of one of her legs, dreams of swimming in the Special Olympics, but none of the pools will let her in to train, so her grandfather devises a way to swim without water. The middle two tales are steeped in magical realism. In one, Yu'er meets a boy who protects her from bullies and takes her to a one-of-a-kind concert. In the other, hearing about her grandparents' courtship leads Yu'er to write a magical letter. In the final entry, Yu'er studies painting with a grumpy neighbor who laments his inability to act on his dreams when he was younger. Delicate full-color watercolors add to the gentle, dreamy atmosphere of the neighborhood as Yu'er, her friends, and readers discover the simple magic and wonder in everyday life. The translation occasionally hits an odd note but does not distract from the warm tone. VERDICT Recommended for most graphic novel collections.-Jennifer Rothschild, Arlington County Public Libraries, VA

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from July 1, 2018
Grades 2-5 *Starred Review* When young Yu'er laments, People think I'm different, her grandfather's immediate response, Oh, who cares what they think! sets her free to be just that and more. She's different because she's physically challenged, but Grampa ensures her mobility via push cart, wooden chair on wheels, or even his back. Buoyed by Grampa's playfully devoted support, Yu'er's adventures are magically empowering. Four such endeavors are included here: swimming without water in hopeful preparation for the Special Olympics in Yu'er's Dream, visiting Bug Paradise with a protective new friend, sending The Letter from the present to the past, and nurturing artistic expression with the neighborhood grouch in Kids at Heart. Yu'er and Grampa make ideal guides to their Beijing hutong, a traditional neighborhood of courtyard houses and alleyways. Gauvin's buoyantly translated speech bubbles exude youthful excitement and energy, and the occasional asterisks lead to explanations of, for instance, how Yu'er's name translates to fish girl and the literary significance of the Ming Dynasty classic, Journey to the West. Presented in sumptuous full color, Jun's exquisite graphics?from perfect realism (a cancelled stamp) to comical specificity (Grampa's exaggerated backside) to the natural simplicity of Yu'er's own drawings?offer nonstop merriment and whimsical delight.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)

September 1, 2018
In the first of four stories in this graphic novel for young readers, Yu'er, who walks with difficulty, has a big dream: to compete in the Special Olympics as a swimmer. Alas, her application to take a swim class is rejected because of her disability. Fear not: Grampa sets up a contraption composed of belts, hooks, and pulleys, dangling Yu'er from the tree in the communal courtyard of their Beijing home, and teaches her himself. Panels depicting Yu'er's fantasy of swimming gracefully through clear blue water alternate with those revealing the tough reality of her midair training sessions. The story ends with Yu'er's dreamscape seeping into the real world as she swims high in the air through the neighborhood for all to admire. Strong beginnings, heartwarming relationships, moments of levity, and magical elements also mark the remaining three vignettes, giving these inventive stories a folkloric quality. The soft earth-toned and fine-lined watercolor panel art seems quiet and contemplative at first glance. However, accompanying this subdued palette are dynamic perspectives and compositions that give each story a lively energy. The book's original Chinese title, which can be translated as Fairy Tales of Old Streets, hints at the author's longing for a vanishing lifestyle (communal living in Hutongs, or narrow alleyways, is a rare experience in modern Beijing). But contemporary young readers will easily relate to Yu'er's longing to be part of a loving community and caring family, and identify with her good humor and grit in facing life's obstacles. roxanne hsu Feldman

(Copyright 2018 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)