TITLE: The Many Misfortunes of Eugenia Wang
AUTHOR / ILLUSTROR Stan Yan
Read via an advanced reader copy
DUE September/late October 2025
Review: This is an interesting coming of age story with a potential supernatural element. I mean potential because is a ghost really talking to Eugenia, or is it just a normal fear manifesting itself? There are modern pieces that are mixed with the tradition of a Chinese family. And as Eugenia starts to become a teenager, she questions some of her mothers superstitions. Such as why can’t she have her birthday celebration on her actual birthday, August 4th. After all, four is just a number, it has no power, right.
And really, as our main character grows and learns, her family is also growing and changing; her best friend is always there for her (not to mention one of their dads); and of course she must deal with sibling woes. As Eugenia schemes to get her real birthday wishes (to go to art camp and to have a party on the 4th) and tries to get up the courage to ask the boy she likes to come to a (for now) non existent party, she has horrible dreams that might be a result of anxiety or premonition.
A few images and concepts might not be for the sensitive reader (fire and potential injury by fire are shown and mentioned), but overall they are easy and simple. The reader copy I had only showed a few finished pages with light colors and details. The look fits the aged 10 and up reader category and allows for both strong readers and maybe need a little help/a reluctant reader. 