A middle-grade graphic novel about a Taiwanese American girl navigating identity, bullying, and the messy process of learning to be comfortable in her skin.
Between homework, studying, and Chinese school, Měi Yīng’s summer is shaping up to be a boring one. Her only bright spots are practice with her soccer team, the Divas, and the time spent with her năi nai, who is visiting from Taiwan. Although Měi Yīng’s Mandarin isn’t the best and Năi Nai doesn’t speak English, they find other ways to connect, like cooking guōtiē together and doing tai chi in the mornings.
By the end of the summer, Měi Yīng is sad to see Năi Nai go—she’s the complete opposite of Měi Yīng serious professor mother—but excited to start fifth grade. Until new kid Sid starts making her the butt of racist jokes. Her best friend, Kirra, says to ignore him, but does everyone else’s silence about the harassment mean they’re also ignoring Sid . . . or her? As Sid’s bullying fuels Měi Yīng's feelings of invisibility, she must learn to reclaim her identity and her voice.
Perfect for fans of American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang, The Legend of Auntie Po by Shing Yin Khor, Measuring Up by Lily LaMotte, and The New Kid by Jerry Craft.
Jing Jing Tsong is a New York Times bestselling illustrator who has worked on many picture books such as the Hawaiin Legends for Little Ones series, Aloha Zoo, A Small Bucket of Blessings, and more. Past projects have included the United State Postal Service Winter Fun Forever stamps and Lunar New Year posters for McDonald's. Her images are a digital collage of color, traditional printmaking techniques, and pattern. When not growing kale or surfing, Jing Jing spends her time translating the world through her words and pictures. Find her at jingjingtsong.com.
Praise for Fake Chinese Sounds by Jing Jing Tsong:
A Kirkus Best Middle Grade Book of the Year A CLA/NCTE 2025 Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts A NEA Read Across America 2024-2025 selection 2025 Jane Addams Peace Association Children’s Book Award Finalist 2025 Texas Little Maverick Graphic Novel selection 2025 Denny O’Neil Reading list (Missouri) Children’s Book Council (CBC) 2025 Favorites Awards List (Teacher favorite, 6th -8th grade; Librarian favorite, 6th -8th grade)
★ "Earnest, engaging, and relatable." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ “An extraordinary, multilayered, and empathic story about being a Taiwanese American tween.” — Booklist Online, starred review
"Relatable and authentic...With clean, aesthetically pleasing line drawings and endearing, witty dialogue, the author communicates her message purposefully. Readers will learn the meaning of tolerance and empathy through this compelling story." —School Library Journal
"Features panels and full pages of expressive black-and-white drawings highlighted with a different color...Tsong’s debut novel is a well-crafted portrayal of a girl asking crucial questions." —The Horn Book
A middle-grade graphic novel about a Taiwanese American girl navigating identity, bullying, and the messy process of learning to be comfortable in her skin.
Between homework, studying, and Chinese school, Měi Yīng’s summer is shaping up to be a boring one. Her only bright spots are practice with her soccer team, the Divas, and the time spent with her năi nai, who is visiting from Taiwan. Although Měi Yīng’s Mandarin isn’t the best and Năi Nai doesn’t speak English, they find other ways to connect, like cooking guōtiē together and doing tai chi in the mornings.
By the end of the summer, Měi Yīng is sad to see Năi Nai go—she’s the complete opposite of Měi Yīng serious professor mother—but excited to start fifth grade. Until new kid Sid starts making her the butt of racist jokes. Her best friend, Kirra, says to ignore him, but does everyone else’s silence about the harassment mean they’re also ignoring Sid . . . or her? As Sid’s bullying fuels Měi Yīng's feelings of invisibility, she must learn to reclaim her identity and her voice.
Perfect for fans of American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang, The Legend of Auntie Po by Shing Yin Khor, Measuring Up by Lily LaMotte, and The New Kid by Jerry Craft.
Creators
Jing Jing Tsong is a New York Times bestselling illustrator who has worked on many picture books such as the Hawaiin Legends for Little Ones series, Aloha Zoo, A Small Bucket of Blessings, and more. Past projects have included the United State Postal Service Winter Fun Forever stamps and Lunar New Year posters for McDonald's. Her images are a digital collage of color, traditional printmaking techniques, and pattern. When not growing kale or surfing, Jing Jing spends her time translating the world through her words and pictures. Find her at jingjingtsong.com.
Praise for Fake Chinese Sounds by Jing Jing Tsong:
A Kirkus Best Middle Grade Book of the Year A CLA/NCTE 2025 Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts A NEA Read Across America 2024-2025 selection 2025 Jane Addams Peace Association Children’s Book Award Finalist 2025 Texas Little Maverick Graphic Novel selection 2025 Denny O’Neil Reading list (Missouri) Children’s Book Council (CBC) 2025 Favorites Awards List (Teacher favorite, 6th -8th grade; Librarian favorite, 6th -8th grade)
★ "Earnest, engaging, and relatable." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ “An extraordinary, multilayered, and empathic story about being a Taiwanese American tween.” — Booklist Online, starred review
"Relatable and authentic...With clean, aesthetically pleasing line drawings and endearing, witty dialogue, the author communicates her message purposefully. Readers will learn the meaning of tolerance and empathy through this compelling story." —School Library Journal
"Features panels and full pages of expressive black-and-white drawings highlighted with a different color...Tsong’s debut novel is a well-crafted portrayal of a girl asking crucial questions." —The Horn Book
