Inclusion CBR17 Pie Chart Challenge
Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All by Chanel Miller has been on the radar off and on for a while now. First by trying to read via an online reader (that went inactive actually fairly quickly) and then my second attempt through my local library (which was a success). It is a quick read for the adult (it would have been a few hours read if I just sat and read, but I took breaks in between) but an average few days read for a normal stronger 8-9 to 13 old reader.
This novel is a cute friendship story with a bit of modern twists and turns. It does have mild triggers with some racist acts and talk of abuse by a father, yet it is handled sensitively and for the younger reader, but know your reader. However, the majority of the book is funny and sweet. And that humor comes from a girl, Magnolia, who has spunk, few friends (or none really) and is both protective and embarrassed by her Chinese immigrant family’s laundromat, plus there is humor with her new (hopefully) friend, Iris, fresh from California and missing it a lot. The two girls (around 10 years old) explore the city, meet a lot of characters and find how not everything is as it seems. While the characters are learning to be their true selves, the usual misunderstandings happen along with a few crushes and several missing socks.
What takes away from the overall story and fun for me were the illustrations. To be frank, they were terribly offputting and felt inappropriate even. However, this goofy, cartoon imagery could be exactly what you as a reader were looking for. They are truly a matter of personal tastes.