An insightful graphic novel loosely based on the author’s childhood is set in 1981 and follows a fictional family of “parachute kids”: Asian children in the United States without their parents. Feng-Li, 10, is excited to come to America and go to Disneyland. After a whirlwind, wonderful time as tourists—even her sullen older brother, Ke-Gāng, is engaged—Feng-Li’s parents announce that the kids will stay to attend school in America. Their father will go back to his job in Taiwan; their mom will stay until her visa expires. Both will return on periodic tourist visas. Academically driven eldest daughter Jia-Xi, who chooses the new name Jessie, takes on running the household while navigating her junior year of high school. Ke-Gāng, who hates his American name, Jason, is angry and drawn to a gang-like group of other immigrant Asian kids. Usually optimistic Feng-Li, who goes by Ann, finds it hard to stay hopeful, the language barrier making it hard to achieve academically or make friends. A story punctuated by lovely moments of humor follows a year of the individual and family challenges. A turning point for both siblings and parents comes after Ke-Gāng, who is attracted to a boy in the group he hangs with, is injured. The fresh visuals include use of colored speech bubbles to distinguish when characters are speaking Chinese or English. An author’s note discusses the reason her own parents chose to send her and her siblings from Taiwan to the United States in 1979. (Ages 9-13)

**National Book Award Longlist Title**

**Asian/Pacific American Award Honor Book**

This funny, fast-paced, and heartrending story about three siblings living on their own as undocumented new immigrants is perfect for fans of New Kid and Front Desk.

A DREAM TRIP TO AMERICA TURNS INTO A NIGHTMARE!

Feng-Li can't wait to discover America with her family! But after an action-packed vacation, her parents deliver shocking news: They are returning to Taiwan and leaving Feng-Li and her older siblings in California on their own.

Suddenly, the three kids must fend for themselves in a strange new world--and get along. Starting a new school, learning a new language, and trying to make new friends while managing a household is hard enough, but Bro and Sis's constant bickering makes everything worse. Thankfully, there are some hilarious moments to balance the stress and loneliness. But as tensions escalate--and all three kids get tangled in a web of bad choices--can Feng-Li keep her family together?