Cover Image: Messy Roots: A Graphic Memoir of a Wuhanese American

Messy Roots: A Graphic Memoir of a Wuhanese American

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Member Reviews

Being East Asian in the time of COVID is hard enough. But being East Asian from Wuhan, where the news spread that the virus came from the region, means hostilities have increased. I winced when seeing the pages detailing casual racism and statistics of hate crimes against American-Asians.

Yuyang Gao, who goes by Laura, talks about her experience coming to the US an immigrant child, She didn't want to, having built a life with her cousins and friends. America means no one can pronounce her name, A little brother upset the natural balance of things, until they became allies against the lack of snacks in the house.

Finding her place is hard. A trip back to Wuhan shows how much she's changed, and she knows she won't be a doctor as her parents wish. Her dad is always hard on her, wanting her to hide most of her Chinese heritage. He always has comments on what she does, never being positive. And her mother goes along with it, talking about the sacrifices they both made to give Laura and her brother a bigger life.

What does it mean to be from Wuhan when your Chinese is no longer fluent? And what does it mean to be an American when people start making casual microaggressions? Laura ponders these questions since she can't chew everyone out for their stupid remarks. She also wonders what home is when even San Francisco falls to hostility.

What a very insightful memoir, and I can't wait to find more of Laura Gao's work!

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I'm delighted to recommend Laura Gao's "Messy Roots," a graphic memoir that tackles themes of identity and belonging against the backdrop of COVID-19 and rising anti-Asian sentiment. Gao's vibrant artwork and candid storytelling create an accessible and engaging narrative that resonates deeply during these times. This memoir not only supports our students' understanding of diverse experiences but also serves as a springboard for important conversations around race and empathy. In offering a personal glimpse into the life of a Wuhanese American, "Messy Roots" is an invaluable addition to our library, providing both a mirror for some students and a window for others, as we work towards fostering a more inclusive community.

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Recommended for: Middle schoolers navigating identity, students curious about the impact of current events, and those seeking to build empathy through understanding diverse life experiences.

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I enjoyed this graphic novel, but as the reader I would have appreciated more insight into his life as an Asian_american in the wake of Covid. I think this would have been a more relevant and engaging read if they had focused on that time period.

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Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.

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I loved this account for its relatability, illustration style, and the fact that the poignancy of the narrative is not hindered by the times we live in.

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Thank you to NetGalley for the copy, which was provided in exchange for an honest review.

This book absolutely delighted me. Heartfelt, funny, and beautifully drawn. It was a gorgeous and masterful exploration of the many facets that are contained in the identity of a single human being, and all the different things that impact that identity. I may have to purchase a copy, because I have not stopped talking about it since I read it.

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Messy roots, this title brings one into the meaning of life,as it all starts at the roots. A young girl looks out on life as she seeks to come of age,in the midst of her cultural heritage and traditions, southern home, and a pandemic.

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My Rating: 4/5 stars

My Review:

I received a digital arc of this book from HCC Frenzy in exchange for an honest review – thanks!

This was such a beautifully illustrated memoir. Gao’s voice really shines through the artwork on these pages — it was absolutely stunning. It is such a timely read, as we approach nearly three years of this pandemic when it feels like most people have forgotten the anti-Asian discrimination that was so rampant in the beginning. That is not the story’s main focus, however.

Gao recenters Wuhan in this novel, with such vibrant colours and stories: often calling it her Wuhan or the Wuhan she knows she is sharing within Messy Roots. I loved her stories of her family, both relative and found. The way that it shares so much about her, sometimes with so few words. It fights back against this image that has been created by the pandemic, filling its pages with Asian joy and love. I really loved the Chinese that Gao included on page, not bending her entire narrative to an English speaking audience. I felt like I learned a lot in this book, but of course, it is only the beginning of my learning still.

I cannot wait to read what they write next; I know it will be wondrous. Their voice and artwork is so unique, so easy to fall into. Many YA readers are probably more hesitant to pick up a memoir, but this form makes it more accessible to its target audiences. I encourage anyone to pick this one up, I think it will be a favourite to so many people. I really hope to see more hype and excitement for it approaching its release.

Messy Roots releases March 8th, 2022

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I had no idea the author lived in North Texas! Her childhood was spent in Wuhan China and she fondly recalls a idyllic rural childhood, but half her childhood was in conservative suburb of Coppell, Texas. She was aware of how different she was, and basketball and art was her escape and means to fit in. When she attends University of Pennsylvania, but being around other Asian American students force her to confront her internalized racism. When she's older she goes back to visit Wuhan and further understands herself. Finally, she returns home after learning her mother has cancer. A wonderful book about self-discovery and identity!

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This is a great book about a teen finding herself. Trying to figure out where she belongs. The illustrations are awesome as well!

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I really enjoyed this graphic memoir. It follows the author, Laura, as she grows up having moved from Wuhan, China to Texas at a young age. She struggles with her identity both in terms of who she is as a Chinese person living in Texas as well as someone discovering their sexuality, and the story also touches on the struggles that Chinese Americans (and Chinese people in general) faced at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. I enjoyed the author’s voice as they were telling their story, and I enjoyed the art style. I also just really enjoy memoirs in graphic form, so this was a hit for me.

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I absolutely loved this graphic memoir by Laura Gao! She does a wonderful job using the symbolism of her "roots" to examine everything from family and friend relationships to how she was viewed during Covid to her actual hair! Gao seamlessly moves back and forth between present and past, the US and China, and her friends and family to create a story that speaks to Asian-American teens, queer teens, and anyone who is struggling to find their footing in a tumultuous world. It doesn't hurt that the artwork is excellent and the color palette amplifies the author's story.

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This graphic memoir was done incredibly well, and I devoured it in a day.

I loved that the story focused on Laura's life as a whole and not just the years around Covid. This was a strong, coming of age story that explored how culture and identity shaped Laura. The novel excellently contrasts her likes and dislikes during both her time in China and her life in the USA which presented complexity that is missing in so many other YA graphic memoirs. Chinese text was integrated seamlessly, and the images were outstanding & complemented the story well. I look forward to Gao's next book!

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Laura Gao's Messy Roots is heartfelt, but not cheesy, clever but not cliche, and moving without ever being didactic. She tells the story of her life through various lenses-- her relationship with her brother, her identity as a first generation american kid, her search for cultural and personal identity-- and the result is artistic, interesting, and fluidity. Excellent, timely read for any adolescent.

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This was a great memoir told in a graphic novel format that focused on the experience of a Chinese immigrant in growing up in the United States. While Gao's voice rests somewhere between comical and sincere, this honest look at the experience of finding one's place in a new culture touches on the importance of identity and why it's okay to still be figuring it out at any point in one's life.

Gao does a great job of illustrating her experiences through both her drawings and her descriptions. Her love for both the Wuhanese culture she was born into and the American culture she grew up with is clearly shown on each page of her book.

What stuck out the most to me was how well Gao was able to navigate conversations about discrimination, bicultural identity, the immigrant experience, LGBTQ+ identity, and intersectionality. Even though the book is a quick read, all of these topics were given enough time to really be fleshed out and add to the reader's understanding of Gao's life. It is also worth noting that while the COVID-19 pandemic is touched upon throughout the book and how Asian Americans became targets for hate crimes in the midst of the pandemic, it is not a central focus. Like many things in her book, it is an important puzzle piece to seeing the bigger picture.

Overall, I highly recommend this book, and it is definitely on my list for ones I will purchase for my own classroom!

***I was provided with an ARC of this book from Balzer + Bray through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions below are my own.***

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This was a great graphic memoir, It tackled issues with being an immigrant, coming to terms with your queerness, COVID. It was topical, realistic, and has great pacing. The illustrations were beautifully done, there was a beginning, middle and end which was helpful within the context of this story. I loved it & look forward to reading more by Gao

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This graphic memoir is a compelling story of identity, family, and the multi-faceted nature of home. The author captures her journey from China, where she was born and spent her early years, to her childhood in Texas, where she seeks to fit into a much different environment, to her time in college on the East Coast and then as an early adult in the West Coast. The story moves through time and geography as the author explores her relationship with her family, the different places she calls home, and herself. This book is full of insight and warmth. Highly recommended!

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Messy Roots is a modern, delightful take on being and immigrant in the US today. The story is strong, characters are lovable, and the only thing that’s missing is the fact that I want more! Laura creates a captivating and honest story of being Asian American, queer, and an immigrant in the US. The connection to the modern world and Covid19 were particularly interesting to me because it’s still a subject often missing from modern texts. I will be sure to buy a copy for my classroom and may even be using it for my American Lit class.

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Really interesting POV, especially in light of Covid pandemic. Good art & story. I can’t wait to get this book in the hands of readers at my library.

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I am usually not a fan of graphic novels. I always feel like there is not enough text to make me feel like the story has really been told. This is not the case with Messy Roots. What an amazing memoir. The story was compelling, the art work was amazing, and you can’t help but fall in love with Laura. This is a must read!

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