The Magic Fish

(A Graphic Novel)

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR by the New York Public Library • Kirkus Reviews • Booklist • Publishers Weekly

Tiến loves his family and his friends…but Tiến has a secret he's been keeping from them, and it might change everything. An amazing YA graphic novel that deals with the complexity of family and how stories can bring us together.


Real life isn't a fairytale.

But Tiến still enjoys reading his favorite stories with his parents from the books he borrows from the local library. It's hard enough trying to communicate with your parents as a kid, but for Tiến, he doesn't even have the right words because his parents are struggling with their English. Is there a Vietnamese word for what he's going through?

Is there a way to tell them he's gay?

A beautifully illustrated story by Trung Le Nguyen that follows a young boy as he tries to navigate life through fairytales, an instant classic that shows us how we are all connected. The Magic Fish tackles tough subjects in a way that accessible with readers of all ages, and teaches us that no matter what—we can all have our own happy endings.
Trung Le Nguyen, also known as Trungles, is a comic book artist and illustrator working out of Minnesota. He received his BA from Hamline University in 2012, majoring in Studio Art with a concentration in oil painting and minoring in Art History. He has contributed work for Oni Press, BOOM! Studios, Limerence Press, and Image Comics. He is particularly fond of fairy tales, kids' cartoons, and rom-coms of all stripes. The Magic Fish is his debut graphic novel. View titles by Trung Le Nguyen
  • WINNER | 2021
    International Literacy Association
  • AWARD
    Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
  • FINALIST | 2022
    Amelia Elizabeth Walden Book Award for Young Adult Fiction
  • SELECTION | 2021
    ALSC Notable Children's Books
  • SELECTION | 2021
    Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices
  • LONGLIST | 2021
    ALSC Notable Children's Books
  • SELECTION | 2021
    Notable Books for a Global Society Award
  • SELECTION | 2021
    ALA Rainbow Project Bibliography
  • SELECTION | 2021
    Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
  • SELECTION | 2020
    Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book
A Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books 2020 Blue Ribbon Selection

[A] gorgeously drawn…story of a first-generation Vietnamese American who is struggling with coming out to his parents.” —Forbes

A sparkling debutabout the child of Vietnamese immigrants who teaches through fairy tales—yet wrestles with how to come out to his family.” —The Washington Post

"Infused with emotional depth and integrity, this coming-of-age story broadens the range of Vietnamese American creative voices in books for young people.” —The Horn Book, Starred Review

Warm, loving family and friends are a refreshing alternative to immigrant stories that focus on family problems. Beautifully illustrates how sharing old stories can be the best way to learn how to share new ones.” —Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

The magic happens here on every page, the perfection personified by debut author/artist Nguyen’s autobiographical homage to the infinite power of storytelling.” —Booklist, Starred Review

“Nguyen’s poignant debut captures the perspectives of, and essence of the bond between, a parent and child, proving that language—and love—can transcend words.” —Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

“How do you tell stories within stories within stories? Ask Trung Le Nguyen, who seamlessly blends family history, fairy tales, and a 1998 coming-out tale in this remarkable intergenerational graphic novel.” —The Bulletin, Starred Review
Educator Guide for The Magic Fish

Classroom-based guides appropriate for schools and colleges provide pre-reading and classroom activities, discussion questions connected to the curriculum, further reading, and resources.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

Classroom Activities for The Magic Fish

Classroom activities supplement discussion and traditional lessons with group projects and creative tasks. Can be used in pre-existing units and lessons, or as stand-alone.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

About

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR by the New York Public Library • Kirkus Reviews • Booklist • Publishers Weekly

Tiến loves his family and his friends…but Tiến has a secret he's been keeping from them, and it might change everything. An amazing YA graphic novel that deals with the complexity of family and how stories can bring us together.


Real life isn't a fairytale.

But Tiến still enjoys reading his favorite stories with his parents from the books he borrows from the local library. It's hard enough trying to communicate with your parents as a kid, but for Tiến, he doesn't even have the right words because his parents are struggling with their English. Is there a Vietnamese word for what he's going through?

Is there a way to tell them he's gay?

A beautifully illustrated story by Trung Le Nguyen that follows a young boy as he tries to navigate life through fairytales, an instant classic that shows us how we are all connected. The Magic Fish tackles tough subjects in a way that accessible with readers of all ages, and teaches us that no matter what—we can all have our own happy endings.

Creators

Trung Le Nguyen, also known as Trungles, is a comic book artist and illustrator working out of Minnesota. He received his BA from Hamline University in 2012, majoring in Studio Art with a concentration in oil painting and minoring in Art History. He has contributed work for Oni Press, BOOM! Studios, Limerence Press, and Image Comics. He is particularly fond of fairy tales, kids' cartoons, and rom-coms of all stripes. The Magic Fish is his debut graphic novel. View titles by Trung Le Nguyen

Awards

  • WINNER | 2021
    International Literacy Association
  • AWARD
    Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
  • FINALIST | 2022
    Amelia Elizabeth Walden Book Award for Young Adult Fiction
  • SELECTION | 2021
    ALSC Notable Children's Books
  • SELECTION | 2021
    Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices
  • LONGLIST | 2021
    ALSC Notable Children's Books
  • SELECTION | 2021
    Notable Books for a Global Society Award
  • SELECTION | 2021
    ALA Rainbow Project Bibliography
  • SELECTION | 2021
    Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
  • SELECTION | 2020
    Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book

Praise

A Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books 2020 Blue Ribbon Selection

[A] gorgeously drawn…story of a first-generation Vietnamese American who is struggling with coming out to his parents.” —Forbes

A sparkling debutabout the child of Vietnamese immigrants who teaches through fairy tales—yet wrestles with how to come out to his family.” —The Washington Post

"Infused with emotional depth and integrity, this coming-of-age story broadens the range of Vietnamese American creative voices in books for young people.” —The Horn Book, Starred Review

Warm, loving family and friends are a refreshing alternative to immigrant stories that focus on family problems. Beautifully illustrates how sharing old stories can be the best way to learn how to share new ones.” —Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

The magic happens here on every page, the perfection personified by debut author/artist Nguyen’s autobiographical homage to the infinite power of storytelling.” —Booklist, Starred Review

“Nguyen’s poignant debut captures the perspectives of, and essence of the bond between, a parent and child, proving that language—and love—can transcend words.” —Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

“How do you tell stories within stories within stories? Ask Trung Le Nguyen, who seamlessly blends family history, fairy tales, and a 1998 coming-out tale in this remarkable intergenerational graphic novel.” —The Bulletin, Starred Review

Teacher Guides

Educator Guide for The Magic Fish

Classroom-based guides appropriate for schools and colleges provide pre-reading and classroom activities, discussion questions connected to the curriculum, further reading, and resources.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

Classroom Activities for The Magic Fish

Classroom activities supplement discussion and traditional lessons with group projects and creative tasks. Can be used in pre-existing units and lessons, or as stand-alone.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

Renegade Reading: Banned Graphic Novels and Comics

Banned Books Week this year is coming up on September 18 – September 24! Graphic novels are not immune to challenges and censorship, with graphic illustrated works frequently finding themselves banned from classrooms and libraries for alleged violence, “pornographic” illustrations, and other “adult” themes. Books banned most frequently include those dealing with sexuality and gender,

Read more

Celebrate Pride in June!

Join in on the celebrations for Pride Month, whether you’re celebrating your own wonderful self, friends, family, or honoring this amazing community as a whole! We have some great graphic novels, comics, and manga across genres for readers of all ages. From romance to horror to sci-fi to action/adventure, there’s a Pride Month selection on

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Top Picks for Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage month! This year, celebrate the wide-ranging diversity of AAPI heritage with a graphic novel. From memoirs to superheroes to coming-of-age tales and more, let this list be your jumping off point for exploring Asian American creators and stories this month and beyond.

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YA Graphic Novels for Everyone

Written for readers 12-18, YA is one of the most creative categories in literature, blending the fantasy elements of children’s stories with the emerging adult themes of the life of a teenager. In graphic novels, there’s a wide range of YA titles available, ranging from non-fiction guides to bodies and relationships to real-world coming-of-age stories

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