Reading Response: Contemporary Realism

 New From Here

Yang, K. New From Here. Illustrated by Kelly Yang. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2023. 384 pages. Tr. $17.99, ISBN 9781534488305

Yang writes a book that many readers can relate to and easily identify with the characters. Set in the not so distant COVID pandemic era, we see protagonist, Knox have to deal with many challenges that others can empathize with. Knox is forced to move from China to California due to the COVID virus, he has to leave behind his father, while dealing with a new ADHD diagnosis, threat of homelessness and much more! This book deals with various real-life issues and difficulties that many young readers may be able to relate to. We see the hoarding of medical supplies such as masks and hand sanitizer which will ensure memories to those whom experienced COVID. Knox's character is likable and sure to win readers' heart. His love for his father and clear effort to do his best, allows the reader to root for his family's safety and success. The setting of the text is believable and recognizable. The author mentions the publication transportation system (BART) for the Bay Area in California and describes the characters living quarters "small backyard..with overgrown weeds".  This seems typical to the California environment.

In the first chapter we are introduced to major plot points, the Coronavirus and the family's plan to move from China and the mother's occupation. These subjects play an important role in the story and theme and foreshadow elements that add to the storyline. The theme of homesickness, medical issues, economic hardship and the complexity of relationships move at a quick pace and can be very overwhelming to readers. It seems as though all this information and theme development should have been spread more naturally through the storyline so that readers can fully understand and develop along with the text. Along with he pace of the theme, Yang decides to set the first multiple chapters in China instead of starting the story in America. I believe this choice would have assisted the novel's progression better with flashbacks or mentions of life in China to tie in with Knox's homesickness and love for his father, whom stayed in China. 

The style of the text display a good mixture between dialogue and narrations while relatively short chapters. The chapters do not have any interesting titles and use the same font and style to transition from one chapter to another. Yang does a good job in mentioning culture and racism's role in this children's book. As soon as Know's family arrive in America, they are stereotyped and discriminated against as having the Coronavirus due to being from China. This is displayed when the immigration office asks them where they traveled to and the Uber driver decides to leave them at a Walgreens once he realizes they are from China. Yang is able to give the reader's a glimpse of racism through the Knox's perspective. We see Knox have to deal with what many Asian Americans go through. We see exclusion, negative remarks and even Knox's brother being treated more harshly due to looking more culturally Asian. 

Verdict: There is a lot to unpack in this text but overall it is relatable to readers in similar situations but ties to pile on various elements in a short amount of time. There could be better natural story progression  but the author does a decent job in touching on racism, stereotypes, and other serous and relatable issues  while keeping the reader engaged. 

Those Kids from Fawn Creek

Kelly, E. E. Those Kids from Fawn Creek. Greenwillow Books, 2022. 336 pages. Tr. $17.99, ISBN 9780062970350

Kelly explores themes of friendship, family and authenticity in this text. Orchid Mason is a new arrival to the town of Fawn Creek. Kelly crates a style that is in the third person narration with chapters that are short and without titles. However, each chapter shifts from the third person limited narration of each of the thirteen characters in Fawn Creek's seventh grade class. With the shift of characters in each chapter, the reader is able to quickly and easily identify with the characters. We are able to see strengths and weaknesses of the characters though progression of the story. For example, if we look at Orchid, whom claimed to be a world traveler and full of mystery but really comes from Texas and lives amongst RV and campers homes. Orchid wants to make friends and shows her weakness by lying to to her classmates to fit in. Her strength comes when she shows her authentic self and invites Greyson and Dorothy into her home. The character of Greyson is interested in fashion, however there are clear and typical gender roles that he must follow. He is expected to like football and hunting not sewing. I believe with this added element of gender roles, the story avoids tokenism. It is heavily mined that Greyson faces slurs and comments about his sexuality from others but it is not the main focus of his arc. Kelly offers a multidimensional characters that develops throughout the text.

Culture has a vague role in the form of the seventh grade teacher, Mr. Agosto. All the characters are white from this town with the exception of Mr. Agosto who is from Venezuela. With this added detail there is no cultural overloading and it does not take away from the story. In the end, the setting is realistic and relatable to the reader. Each character has a hopeful but realistic story arc that emerges naturally with the story. 

Verdict: This book was an interesting read and with its themes of friendship and authenticity it teaches readers about self-acceptance. This is a great book for readers in grades 4-6.