This cute story by Hà Dinh is about Ly-Lan, a third grader who feels unsettled after being placed in a different class from her best friend (BFF), Cece. Over the course of the story, she learns an important life lesson: that while praying doesn't always guarantee results, it doesn’t mean you stop. You surrender to your Creator (in this case, Jesus) and accept the outcome with grace. It's a lot for a third grader to grasp, but Ly-Lan does. There's a moral in here for little readers.

Themes such as possessiveness in children's friendship, the idea of having that *one* best friend, first-day excitement, and the challenge of NOT making new friends (you read that right) make the book relatable for younger readers (and nostalgic for older ones like me).

The story also offers a glimpse into the lives of second-generation immigrants in Western countries, especially those who don’t speak their parents’ native language, highlighting a subtle tension and longing between two cultures. I found Cece's character very likeable - she’s a cool, confident kid who provides an interesting contrast to Ly-Lan's more anxious personality. I also enjoyed the narration by Elyse Dinh, who voices all the characters (male, female, child, and adult) with range and warmth. Watch out for when she captures the Vietnamese accent when pronouncing words like ma (mother) and ba (father).

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC copy in exchange of a honest review.

My kids had a road trip and decided on an audiobook. This book was a good hit for my kids. We learned some interesting facts about the Vietnamese language and it was a fun listen for us all. It always had a very valuable lesson about how change can be a good thing and not always be a bad thing. Good read with great valuable lessons for kids

4 ⭐️

Sweet book about a girl going into third grade who doesn't get to be in class with her best friend, but ends up realizing that it's her chance to make more friends. Offers good lessons in expanding your circle and accepting that things don't always go your way, but there is always a silver lining.

The audiobook narration by Elyse Dinh was very good. I liked hearing the pronunciation of the Vietnamese words that were used, which I wouldn't have gotten if I picked up the physical book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Zonderkidz for the ARC of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review!

This was a lovely book, and initially I didn't realize that the publisher included Christian books, so I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the main character, a granddaughter of Vietnamese refugees, was Christian, and I suspect, likely Catholic, as is common among Vietnamese immigrant families. My boys and I enjoyed a heartwarming story about a family who has close connections to their heritage, a girl who tries to do good in school, but really wants to socialize with her friend andthinks if she says a prayer she will get to be in the same class, and the interjection of properly pronounced Vietnamese.

This was an entertaining story, and I look forward to reading more books about Ly-Lan.

The story follows Ly-Lan, an eight year old who is soon to be a third grader. Ly-Lan is a curious girl and loves to know more about the culture and traditions of Vietnam, her grandmother's place.

She is exciting to begin new class with her best friend but it was too soon to celebrate. Cece and Ly-Lan get different classes and a new girl joins the school who happens to be her seatmate. Then Ly-Lan tries everything from prayers to writing a letter to the principal however things happens just as it was supposed to happen.

The narrator did a commendable job in bringing out the emotions of the characters. The author's writing style and creativity is definitely mesmerizing. The themes of friendship, creativity, warmth, comfort, new changes and happiness are well explored. Ly-Lan's character will definitely resonate deeply with the children who have similar feelings like having your best friend who has other best friends, decisions and actions of new beginnings and other.

"The more the merrier." That's the moral of the story.

2.5⭐️
Well I’m not usually this harsh on children’s books but I had several issues with the content.

First for some positive- it does teach a moral in the end and I love the cultural touches. I also liked aging the Christian vs non Christian viewpoints that come to the same conclusion.

I consumed the Audiobook and the narrator Elyse Dinh did a fine job with her vocals . She fluidly moved between adult and children’s voices and the were clear and consistent.

However, for starters schools are very different state to state in the US (and I say US since the author lives in Texas so it’s written from an American perspective in that way) so when you put in details about certain things it’s going to fall flat as many won’t be able to connect. It wouldn’t not be typical for an elementary school to have tardy bells or bells at all. Do some misguided schools have them? I’m sure they do, it’s just not the standard. Also, what school doesn’t prepared their elementary aged kids for the upcoming year? Typically you don’t find out whose class you’re in on the first day by looking at a list on a classroom door. And big rules changes without letting parents know before hand so they can process with their kids? It’s just not believable at all. If we were talking about a middle school or jr high then fine, but it’s not.

Then there is the whole “hey why don’t you be friends with X person and show her the ropes just because you’re the same cultural background” and saying it in front of said new student so the individual being “asked” is out in a horrible position. This is just gross to be honest. While yes, it’s natural to want to pair up people from the same culture so they can feel safe and accepted or maybe if there is a language barrier, but it’s not that students job. So instead of creating a safe space for all children to interact regardless of culture, you have just now pigeonholed and forced a relationship that should have just happened naturally.

Obviously this is fiction, but it’s reinforcing that this is an ok thing to do to the children reading this. There are several other incidents in the book but I don’t want to totally spoil it. However, the comparing prayers to ”wishes”? No. Even though she learns a lesson in the end, having the parents even broach the subject without explaining the importance of prayers to a Christian and not to be used to simply get what you want.

Lastly, this book is completely from an adults point of view and creating a “always test what the adult says” mindset. Instead of from a child’s perspective of how they view the world and information. And how to assess which adults are safe spaces. Adults can be wrong. They often are. So having a book that doesn’t teach critical thinking to children is not a success to me and instead really self serving. Because if the FMCs parents had been teaching her lessons as she grew up, this situation wouldn’t have been an issue as Ly-Lan comes off as a whiny spoiled mess.

I don’t recommend this book and it’s sad as when I read the description I was so hopeful to add it to my collection when I work with students.

I am thankful to have gotten a complimentary audio from Zondervan Audio through NetGalley to read which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.


My rating system for Middle Grade and children’s books

⭐️ Significant problems and would never recommend to the audience.
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea but may have some appeal.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ an ok book which I wouldn’t go out of my way to recommend but it has some value for young readers
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! I would recommend for the age or reading level appropriate for the book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Would recommend highly, especially to school programs as a wide spread reading opportunity.

This Christian-based story is about the perserverance of a young Vietnamese girl. I loved how they intertwined the languague into the heart of the story. Super sweet, and a wonderful story for kids.

The narrator was also very bright voiced and refreshing.