CCBC Booklists

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.

To print a CCBC booklist, click on a list below and then use your browser’s “Print” command.

< Back to booklist

Miracle

by Karen S. Chow

CCBC Review:

Chinese American Amie shares a love of music with her father, Ba-ba. Amie’s mother provides the structure to their home routine, with scheduled time for homework, violin practice, evening walk, and health regimens for Ba-ba’s cancer treatments. Sixth grader Amie’s best friends are Bella (white) and Rio (Latino); they see themselves as a Harry-Ron-Hermione trio. When Ba-ba dies, this close network provides support for Amie, but also creates tension. She feels like Harry Potter—famous for family tragedy, with everyone looking at her and wanting to know if she’s okay. Meanwhile, her mother channels her grief into action by taking on more activities, much to Amie’s frustration. Overwhelmed by her feelings, Amie is unable to play violin, which has been an important means of expression as well as a connection to her father. The loss of that connection, along with her guilt at not visiting Ba-ba in the hospital on his last day alive, eats away at Amie in a moving middle grade novel that explores the rawness and pain of grief with tremendous honesty. Each chapter begins with a musical vocabulary word and a black and white line drawing, and Amie’s family’s blend of Chinese and American traditions feels both fresh and authentic in a story that sees Amie turn the corner toward healing. ©2023 Cooperative Children’s Book Center

CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 9-12
Age Range: Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10) Grades 6-8 (Ages 11-13)
Format: Novel
Subjects: Asian Americans Chinese and Chinese Americans Death and Dying Friendship Grief and Loss Guilt and Remorse Hope and Healing Illness and Disease Music and Musicians
Diversity subject: Asian
On CCBC Booklist: Asian in America: Selected Books for PreK-Grade 12 to Support Hmong and Asian American Studies in Wisconsin

Publishers: Christy Ottaviano Books, Little, Brown
Publish Year: 2023
Pages: 245
ISBN: 9780316333726
CCBC Location: Fiction, Chow

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.