Middle-Grade Books
The Not-So-Uniform Life of Holly-Mei
Packed with humor and heart, this debut middle-grade series follows a girl finding her place in a brand-new world of private school and frenemies when her family moves to Hong Kong.
Holly-Mei Jones couldn’t be more excited about moving to Hong Kong for her mother’s job. Her new school is right on the beach and her family’s apartment is beyond beautiful. Everything is going to be perfect . . . right?
Maybe not. It feels like everywhere she turns, there are new rules to follow and expectations to meet. On top of that, the most popular girl in her grade is quickly becoming a frenemy. And without the guidance of her loving Ah-ma, who stayed behind in Toronto, Holly-Mei just can’t seem to get it right.
It will take all of Holly-Mei’s determination and sparkle (and maybe even a tiny bit of stubbornness) to get through seventh grade and turn her life in Hong Kong into the ultimate adventure!
Published by Inkyard Press (HarperCollins)
This book has been chosen as a Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Book of the Year (2023 Edition) and a 2022 Freeman Award Book of Note.
The Not-So-Perfect Plan
Return to Hong Kong in the second book of this charming middle-grade series starring Holly-Mei, a girl navigating her new city, new school, and new friendships.
It’s the start of a new year, and Holly-Mei Jones is determined to make the most of it. She has amazing friends, a great field hockey team, and Hong Kong at her doorstep. This semester is going to be perfect . . . right?
Maybe not. Despite their closeness last year, Holly-Mei’s friend group seems to be splintering. Desperate to bring everyone together, she ropes her friends into competing as a team in an inter-school tournament across the city.
But as Holly-Mei becomes obsessed with winning, her friends seem less interested in the tournament—and in her new attitude. Will she be able to pull off her perfect plan?
The Not-So-Simple Question
Return to Hong Kong and travel to Taiwan in the third book of this charming middle-grade series starring Holly-Mei, a girl navigating her new city, new school, and new friendships.
Holly-Mei is caught in the middle.
Holly-Mei Jones has finally settled into her new friend group in Hong Kong—that is until suddenly everyone starts talking about dating. Which Holly-Mei is not ready for.
At least she has her school’s Experience Week to look forward to. Holly-Mei can’t wait to show off Taiwan, where her beloved Ah-Ma is from, to her friends. The trip is going to be perfect…right?
Maybe not. On top of the pressure to date, Holly-Mei starts to wonder if maybe being half-Taiwanese isn’t enough. In the face of these big questions, will Holly-Mei be able to finally feel like she belongs?
Picture Books
Mixed-Up Mooncakes
Written by Christina Matula & Erica Lyons, illustrated by Tracy Subisak.
This beautiful tribute to fall festivals—Mid-Autumn Festival and Sukkot—celebrates family, multicultural heritage, and the bounty of the season.
It’s time for Ruby and her family to celebrate two extra-special harvest holidays. For the Mid-Autumn Festival, she and Nainai pick out fruit, nuts, and red chrysanthemums from the store. And with Zayde, Ruby buys a lulav and etrog from the market for Sukkot.
But something is missing to truly combine these two celebrations. Can Ruby figure out the perfect way to blend the Jewish holiday of Sukkot and the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival?
The Shadow in the Moon - A Tale of the Mid-Autumn Festival
Written by Christina Matula, illustrated by Pearl Law.
Join two sisters as they listen to their grandmother tell the tale of the origins of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Hou Yi, a brave archer, saves the world from drought and is given a magic potion for his deeds. Chang’e, his wife, courageously protects the potion from a thief and is transformed into the Lady in the Moon.
This is a tale of sweethearts, mooncakes, and how the Mid-Autumn Festival came to be.
Published by Charlesbridge.
Winner of a 2019 CALA Best Book Award! (Chinese American Librarians Association)
Out now with Quill Tree Books
