Lovely art and fun worldbuilding, but the fairytale-esque three tasks plot structure resolves too quickly and easily for me.

A cute and accessible graphic novel about gentrification and the importance of protecting your culture. I really enjoyed the minimalist approach to the colors that gives it a kind of pop art feel, and I thought the choice to depict the first generation immigrants as anthropomorphic animals as opposed to the younger human children was an interesting, subtle way to convey othering and assimilation. I hope Bao makes all the weird little fusion bao they can imagine.

This graphic novel skillfully balances all the many challenges the main character faces during the harrowing experience of seventh grade. I really enjoyed the realistic ways Christina tries to handle the feelings of being aimless and abandoned as social groups begin to form and her friends develop new interests, not all of which are kind or productive. But she learns from them and eventually ends up with more and stronger friendships than she could've expected. A great read for kids who feel othered about the possibility of claiming your own space.