CCBC booklist are compiled from books we have recommended in various editions of CCBC Choices. Most of these booklists are updated annually. You can also select books from one or more booklists to create a custom list, which can also include additional books from the CCBC-Recommended Book Search.
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Love, Love
CCBC Review:
Frances, 11, lives in Detroit with her Chinese-immigrant parents and older sister, Clara, whose hair has begun to fall out. Doctors can’t find a reason for the bald spot on top of Clara’s head and their mom buys Clara a wig to wear, which is stolen at school. Clara is generally a mystery to Frances so finding out from her sister what happened isn’t possible. Frances has one friend in the neighborhood, Chinese American Annie. Their friendship revolves primarily around hitting a tennis ball back and forth after school, but Frances and Annie think they know who stole Clara’s wig and scheme ways to get it back, to no avail. Meanwhile, their tennis court volleying brings Frances to the attention of a tennis coach, who invites her to practice with a team. Frances gains confidence playing tennis, but hasn’t stopped wondering about her sister’s hair, until a sneaky read of Clara’s diary reveals the truth: Clara’s pulling it out herself (an author’s note explains this is a psychiatric condition called trichotillomania). In this gorgeously written novel in verse, Frances is a carefully observant narrator revealing a slowly brightening emotional landscape in her specific, immigrant family. A playful moment shared by the sisters at story’s end suggests the beginning of something new and happier between them. ©2021 Cooperative Children’s Book Center
CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 10-13
Age Range:
Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Grades 6-8 (Ages 11-13)
Formats:
Novel
Poetry
Subjects:
Asian Americans
Chinese and Chinese Americans
Families
Friendship
Immigration and Immigrants
Mental Health and Illness
Novels in Verse
Sisters
Sports
Diversity subject:
Asian
Psychiatric
On CCBC Booklist:
Asian in America: Selected Books for PreK-Grade 12 to Support Hmong and Asian American Studies in Wisconsin
Publisher:
Sterling Children's Books
Publish Year: 2020
Pages: 212
ISBN: 9781454938323
CCBC Location: Fiction, Chang
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Our Recommended Book Search includes access to CCBC-recommended titles based on subject headings created by our staff.
Please send questions or comments about CCBC booklists to ccbcinfo@education.wisc.edu.