Book 117 of 350 ~ 2025

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Being the odd duck sucks. Being Eurasian and forever being asked what's the Asian In my heritage, even after finding part of my family tree and still not being able to answer makes me feel like I am a little lost sometimes heritage wise?

It sounds similar and yet not to what this graphic novellist is saying, but I reckon if you read it, you will kinda get where I am coming from.

I loved this. Can't wait to read anything else this author creates.

Oh... and I had that bowl haircut, too.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#book117of350 #amreading #netgalley #tbrpile #instareads #readstagram #reading #bookreview #bookreviewer #booklover #booksAreLife #booksForTheWin #thisbookfairyisreading #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramfeature #bookshelf #booksofinstagram #bookish #bookworm #goodreads #booklovers #theSGbookfairyReads #theSGtrekkiereads #bookaholic #bookaddict #bookchallenge2025 #reviews #lovebooks #booknerds

Middle-schoolers should enjoy Chung's tale of a twelve-year-old Chinese boy's attempts to fit in, and make friends with his American classmates. Things don't always go smoothly, but the story ends on a hopeful note. A sweet, heartwarming story of courage and family togetherness.

Fantastic graphic novel! Chung has created a main character who is immediately relatable to young readers as he explores what it takes to ‘fit in.’ The illustrations are humorous and engaging and I think a wide variety of young readers, especially those who are often mis-characterized, will enjoy this story.

Book Title: Don’t Cause Trouble
Author: Arree Chung
Genre / Age Range: Picture book with middle grade themes / Ages 6–10
Read-Aloud or Independent Read: Independent Read

What My Young Reader Thought
Age: 8
Favorite part: The illustrations and the school setting—especially the parts that felt like real classroom experiences.
What made them laugh (or gasp or cry): Some of the tension with the “troublemaking” label caught their attention but didn’t get a big emotional reaction.
What stuck with them after reading: That families and cultures are different, and that being “different” doesn’t mean doing something wrong.
Would they read a sequel or recommend it to friends? Maybe—not a top pick, but they were interested while we read it together.

What I Thought as a Parent
Quality of writing and storytelling: Solid, though the story felt more like a conversation-starter than a standout narrative.
Themes or topics worth discussing: Immigrant family dynamics, cultural expectations, behavior labels, and inclusion.
Content notes (if any): None needed—very thoughtful and sensitive.
Educational or emotional value: High in terms of discussion potential. A great tool for introducing complex themes in an age-appropriate way.
What I appreciated most: How it centers an immigrant kid’s experience in a way that’s accessible to young readers. It helped open up a meaningful conversation.

Quick Impressions
Fun and engagement: Medium—engaging in the moment, but not one they returned to.
Writing quality: Clear and purposeful, though not especially memorable in voice or tone.
Relatability and themes: Strong—especially for children navigating identity, behavior expectations, or cultural difference.
Age appropriateness: Very appropriate and well-pitched.
Re-readability: Low to medium—valuable for discussion but not a go-to favorite.

Would We Recommend It?
Overall impression: Yes, especially as a read-aloud with discussion.
Who we think would enjoy it: Families with immigrant roots, teachers, and kids exploring questions of difference and belonging.
Best time or setting to read it: During school units on identity, in family conversation time, or when discussing “being good” vs. being yourself.
Perfect for fans of: The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi, Eyes That Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho

This was a quick, enjoyable graphic novel about a boy trying to fit in. Teaching 5th grade, many of my students feel similarly to Ming. Like Minng, many of them are also children of immigrants who feel as though they don't fit in because of their families' backgrounds. I have a feeling that students will enjoy reading this book.

Growing up in a Chinese household, I had expectations like Ming: study hard and get good grades. My mom also went to church growing up, and my dad didn’t. Reading this book reminds me a lot of my own childhood, with trying to fit in and seeing my mom work hard to save money. Although my mom was not like Ming’s where she would save every single penny, money did not come generously for me either.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an advanced copy for review!

Genre: Realistic fiction
Ming Lee is starting middle school, and he wants nothing more than to fit in. But with a loser haircut like his and clothes from the thrift store, that dream is starting to fade in the distance. Despite these challenges, he is determined to change things and become the cool kid, using a little mischief to achieve this despite his dad's constant warnings not to cause trouble.

I enjoyed this book so much that I read it in one sitting. It has been a while since I read a middle school comedy graphic novel, so I was delighted to read this one. In my opinion, Ming Lee was a pretty average kid—just a normal boy who wanted to fit in. However, I liked him better with his bowl cut. His friends seem like friendly guys with whom I would love to be friends. Overall, I recommend this book to anyone looking for a good read.
Happy Reading, Laly ❤️ 📚

In DON’T CAUSE TROUBLE, Ming is hoping for a fresh start as he starts middle school. Courtesy of his cost-conscious immigrant parents, he begins the year with the same bowl haircut his mom has been giving him forever and a trip to the thrift store for new to him clothes—and not the expensive shoes he really wants. To make things worse, he finds that he’s been placed in an ESL class even though he speaks only English. Once he finds a pair of friends, things start to look up for Ming. The sneakers that he thinks will help him fit in remain on his mind, though, and he comes up with a few different plans to fund the purchase on his own. As part of his quest to belong, he finds himself putting aside his dad’s oft repeated mantra of “don’t cause trouble” and finds himself in big trouble, disappointing his parents and harming his relationship with his friends.

Ming’s sometimes awkward and sometimes embarrassing middle school struggles and feelings will be relatable for many upper elementary and middle school readers. Author Arree Chung’s graphic novel brings together a realistic portrayal of the challenges of both middle school and being a child of immigrants. The book’s messages about belonging and being yourself are delivered in an authentic way with humor and warmth.

I loved this book! It was a fun, quick read that I think lots of kids will find relatable--embarrassing yet lovable parents, regrettable choices made in the name of fitting in, hair malfunctions. I look forward to sharing it with readers soon.

This quick middle grade graphic novel is perfect for BIPOC students who feel like they don’t fit in. Ming is a first generation American born to Chinese parents, but he himself doesn’t speak Chinese and his parents speak little English. He is just starting middle school where he doesn’t know anyone, and feels like an outcast, but eventually he makes friends with a couple of other boys like him. Like any good middle grade story line, there is a bit of drama, parent issues, and friendship troubles to navigate. The author does a good job of making the main characters realistic. The one thing that didn’t sit so well with me was the tension he felt at church, and how this wasn’t resolved. Still recommended for upper elementary and middle school readers. 3.5 stars

Don't cause trouble is a quick and fun read about a boy navigating life as a first generation American. Ming is an upbeat narrator, and even the frustrating parts of his life are usually shared with humor. His parents are loving, but have their own issues with communication both because of language and emotional awareness. Ming's friends are fun and realistic in that they often disagree. I like the way both friends have their own issues dealing with modern American society, and they each learn about them together. This was a simple and fun story.

I got approved for an eARC, thank you NetGalley! Ming goes through school feeling like he doesn’t fit in. Until 1 day he creates a friendship with two other students. Through out the graphic novel we see how his friendship is explored between the two new friends with different cultures and backgrounds, while also trying to navigate his own being in school where he feels embarrassed for having to thrift clothes because his parents dont have enough money, being placed in ESL when English is his first language, and feeling like he doesn’t belong because he looks different. All the characters seem to grow/change after a situation occurs with the 3 friends, tying it all together in the end. “Be yourself. It’s okay to be different”

Don't Cause Trouble is about Ming, a Chinese American who is about to start middle school. His parents are immigrants from China and have brought their beliefs and ethics with them, influencing how Ming grows up. As he battles through his bowl cut, his thrifted clothing and other assumptions based on his looks he learns he doesn't have to sacrifice his culture to be popular at school.

I loved that the author put Chinese into this book with the english translations below to give it a more realistic feel. His artwork was great and the story moved along nicely, showing Ming as he grew as a person. The author took a lot of the story from his childhood and it shows in the realism and flow.

What a fun story with a perfect look into the perspective of a child with immigrant parents.

"Don't cause trouble!"
How many times have I heard that or said that myself?!? Ming Lee hopes to make some changes now that he's in middle school. What he doesn't count on is how quickly things can go wrong, especially in middle school. As a veteran middle school teacher and librarian, I loved this graphic novel, and I'm excited to add it to our collection. Students will love it, too!

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to review an ARC of this book.

This book was a quick read, and plays upon many stereotypes of growing up Asian/Chinese American - the bowl haircut, setting Stanford as the goal for college even when you’re only in middle school, getting misplaced in ESL. While many of the situations brought up in the story were relatable, and even things I’ve personally experienced, I couldn’t find myself really connecting with the book.

'Don't Cause Trouble' is a heartfelt and relatable coming-of-age story that beautifully captures the struggles of growing up between two cultures. The book follows Ming Lee, a 12-year-old non-Chinese-speaking Chinese-American, who feels stuck between his immigrant parents’ old-school values and the desire to fit in with his middle school peers. His mother’s deep devotion to church, his father’s love for books, and their extreme frugality make Ming feel even more out of place—whether it’s his bowl-cut hairstyle or thrift store clothes bought only from the 50% off rack.

Ming’s love for drawing becomes his escape and, at times, his saving grace. His talent helps him navigate tricky situations—whether it's getting a pass out of ESL class or rebuilding trust after a misstep. But the book isn’t just about Ming’s journey. It takes the time to explore the complexities of every major character, showing their flaws and strengths without making anyone the "bad guy."

At its core, Don't Cause Trouble delivers powerful life lessons:
- Even the most sincere and hardworking person can make mistakes, but what defines them is how they take responsibility and make things right.
- Never judge a book by its cover. Just as Ming feels hurt by being treated differently for his Chinese heritage, he later realizes he, too, misjudged others.
- Owning your identity, working hard, and choosing to give can go a long way.

With engaging illustrations and an easy-to-read style, this book makes serious themes feel approachable and deeply meaningful. It’s a story about family, identity, and self-acceptance—one that lingers with you long after you turn the last page.

Twelve-year old Ming Lee dreams of being popular, playing basketball, and owning a new pair of “Air Elevates.” His Chinese dad and Thai mom (who met and married in Thailand before emigrating to the United States) dream of their only child graduating at the top of his class from Stanford. Ming’s at-home bowl cut and secondhand clothes don’t help his odds of popularity, so he tries to stay off the radar at school and follow his parents’ admonition: don’t cause trouble. He doesn’t even speak up when he’s misplaced in an E.S.L. class! With the help of two new friends - and a new haircut - Ming gains newfound confidence, but his ongoing desire to fit in leads to a serious error in judgment. How Ming handles the repercussions really reflects his character’s emerging maturity as he finds his own voice. Short chapters depict slices-of-life alongside more pivotal moments for Ming, his friends, and his family. Author and illustrator Arree Chung employs a retro color palette and clothing styles, situating this graphic novel in an unspecified time in the near past. Many readers will identify with Ming’s sense of alienation, as well as a through-line of faith in God. They will also respect his entrepreneurial endeavors in his quest to get those Air Elevates! A note from the author reveals how Don’t Cause Trouble was inspired by Chung’s own childhood, and a bonus “How to Make a Graphic Novel” section is a fun behind-the-scenes look at his creative process. Among all of the many wonderful middle grade graphic novels published in the past few years, Don’t Cause Trouble is a standout!

Don't Cause Trouble takes serious issues with stereotyping and searching for a feeling of belonging and acceptance, and adds a touch of humor for the situations that Ming is put it while still passing on the lesson. I enjoyed that simple graphics given that showed culture and focused on the words and relationships being shared. As a middle school teacher, I immediately thought how beneficial this book would be for my students. I know several will relate to Ming and feel the connection to the struggles he has. This would also be good for intermediate/elementary schoolers. I will say that I felt a bit of a let down from finding out about the brother and the emergency he needed money for; it seemed to just be unresolved in the plot but it had my curiosity.

Loved this book! Not my demographic at all, but it gave me a real look into his world. More people should read stuff like this—it’s eye-opening in the best way.

A fun middle school graphic novel. The art is eye-catching and the story will resonate with many (fitting in, embarrassing parents, sports). Also a great "window" book. It felt true to life, both in home and school settings.