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kb_hg's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
I don’t think I have read a book with someone who has lived in Taiwan. Makes me want to try their food
mariahistryingtoread's review against another edition
4.0
*I am reading all of the books on the 2022 SSYRA Grades 3 to 5 list. As of 7/31/22 this is book #1 out 15 in terms of quality. If you want to see a complete list altogether in one place in order of best to worst check out my ko-fi*.
I don't read many graphic novels any more - not from dislike, it's simply my normal reading patterns diverging - and when I picked this up I was looking forward to the easy enjoyment they often bring. It's rare that I have a problem with a middle grade graphic novel that's so big I actively dislike it.
As expected, Measuring Up was a delight.
I always enjoy reading about other cultures and Measuring Up used food as a wonderful way to bridge the gap. Food is important in general, but the passing of recipes and history of dishes and the act of creation has unique significance to collectivist identities compared to the individualism above all else prevailing in the West, namely the United States where Cici suddenly finds herself after her big move from Taiwan. Cici entering the contest becomes a way to share her heritage with those around her in-story and out.
Like most kids Cici's worried about fitting into her school and making new friends. Over the course of the book she comes to realize that she doesn't just want to be Taiwanese passively, she's proud to be Taiwanese and if other people can't accept it then they're not worth her time.
What kept it from being a 5 star read which is the abrupt end to a few different key plot points.
For instance, Cici initially wants to keep her entrance into the contest a secret from her father because if she wins she wants her grandmother's arrival to be a surprise for him since he misses her so much. Almost immediately she is 'forced' to tell him about her plan which ended up undermining the long term conflict between the two. It would have added some fun tension watching her juggle two lives and ultimately created a more satisfying confrontation when the two finally had their heart to heart.
Similarly, when she does have the confrontation with her father he immediately capitulates which was unrealistic given the attitude he had previously. It almost felt like Lily LaMotte was scared to see certain elements through so she smothered the potential conflict before it had time to catch fire.
The story was still good, but it did often feel a little too simplistic when it came to the emotional beats. It kind of makes sense given the age grouping this is part of, still I think some parts didn’t need to be quite as easily rectified as they were. Kids can handle complexity.
Nevertheless, it's a comfortable recommend. I think kids will connect with its themes and outside of that it's a pleasant, enjoyable read all on its own.
I don't read many graphic novels any more - not from dislike, it's simply my normal reading patterns diverging - and when I picked this up I was looking forward to the easy enjoyment they often bring. It's rare that I have a problem with a middle grade graphic novel that's so big I actively dislike it.
As expected, Measuring Up was a delight.
I always enjoy reading about other cultures and Measuring Up used food as a wonderful way to bridge the gap. Food is important in general, but the passing of recipes and history of dishes and the act of creation has unique significance to collectivist identities compared to the individualism above all else prevailing in the West, namely the United States where Cici suddenly finds herself after her big move from Taiwan. Cici entering the contest becomes a way to share her heritage with those around her in-story and out.
Like most kids Cici's worried about fitting into her school and making new friends. Over the course of the book she comes to realize that she doesn't just want to be Taiwanese passively, she's proud to be Taiwanese and if other people can't accept it then they're not worth her time.
What kept it from being a 5 star read which is the abrupt end to a few different key plot points.
For instance, Cici initially wants to keep her entrance into the contest a secret from her father because if she wins she wants her grandmother's arrival to be a surprise for him since he misses her so much. Almost immediately she is 'forced' to tell him about her plan which ended up undermining the long term conflict between the two. It would have added some fun tension watching her juggle two lives and ultimately created a more satisfying confrontation when the two finally had their heart to heart.
Similarly, when she does have the confrontation with her father he immediately capitulates which was unrealistic given the attitude he had previously. It almost felt like Lily LaMotte was scared to see certain elements through so she smothered the potential conflict before it had time to catch fire.
The story was still good, but it did often feel a little too simplistic when it came to the emotional beats. It kind of makes sense given the age grouping this is part of, still I think some parts didn’t need to be quite as easily rectified as they were. Kids can handle complexity.
Nevertheless, it's a comfortable recommend. I think kids will connect with its themes and outside of that it's a pleasant, enjoyable read all on its own.
bookph1le's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
This book made me sooo hungry! Aside from the drool-worthy food, there was so much packed into it, all of it done in such a natural way. It raises challenging questions about cultural expectations and biases in an extremely thoughtful way. It also works so well as a narrative about an immigrant trying to feel her way in an environment that's so different from her own, while also dealing with typical adolescent issues around being accepted and finding your place. I also just loved the beautiful relationship between Cici and her grandmother, and the way the book handles her misunderstandings with her parents, as well as how Cici, her mother, and her father all grow and learn to understand one another in new ways. Now I just need to do some field research on all the yummy Taiwanese food the book highlights!
This book made me sooo hungry! Aside from the drool-worthy food, there was so much packed into it, all of it done in such a natural way. It raises challenging questions about cultural expectations and biases in an extremely thoughtful way. It also works so well as a narrative about an immigrant trying to feel her way in an environment that's so different from her own, while also dealing with typical adolescent issues around being accepted and finding your place. I also just loved the beautiful relationship between Cici and her grandmother, and the way the book handles her misunderstandings with her parents, as well as how Cici, her mother, and her father all grow and learn to understand one another in new ways. Now I just need to do some field research on all the yummy Taiwanese food the book highlights!
mehsi's review against another edition
4.0
A fun graphic novel about a girl moving to America and her love for cooking.
Cici was such a fun and delightful character and I loved what she did for her father and her grandmother. Joining a cooking competition in the hopes to win enough money for a plane ticket is just the sweetest!
I loved seeing Cici cook and I loved the cooking competition and all that was made during the show. She never gave up, kept practising, kept working hard, kept finding recipes to try out and studying hard to get them perfectly right. The cooking show was really extensive, we see the kids bake/cook, we see what everyone made, and we see them present it to the judges and get the judges to tell what they thought. At times it was a bit too long for me and I would have just liked to see their thoughts on Cici (and in the beginning Miranda). But I guess this did make it feel more a cooking show like you see on TV.
Next to that we see her adjust to school, correct people who call her Chinese or her food Thai. We see her try to make lunch that doesn’t smell to her classmates (which I just found sad to be honest as I would have rather seen her just do her own thing). We see her become friends and learn new things, but also find out that they have a lot in common.
Miranda (her partner in the first rounds of the competition) was an interesting girl. On the one hand I really liked her and loved how she was a magician with knives and cooking, loved how she had something else that she wanted to do and was finding the courage to tell her dad. But on the other hand she was really bossy.
I loved the video calls with grandma, while it also made me sad, because hello, they can only see each other this way, but I am also happy that they got this at least. In another time they would have had to write letters or call via phone and just hear each other.
The ending was super sweet and just had me smiling in happiness. The cooking competition, well it was no surprise who won, that is all I will say.
The only issue was the parents and how hard they pushed her to study and to get even better grades. I understand why, but come on, be a bit less harsh.
The art was great, I really like the style.
All in all, I had fun reading this one! Would recommend it if you love cooking and kids finding a place to belong.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Cici was such a fun and delightful character and I loved what she did for her father and her grandmother. Joining a cooking competition in the hopes to win enough money for a plane ticket is just the sweetest!
I loved seeing Cici cook and I loved the cooking competition and all that was made during the show. She never gave up, kept practising, kept working hard, kept finding recipes to try out and studying hard to get them perfectly right. The cooking show was really extensive, we see the kids bake/cook, we see what everyone made, and we see them present it to the judges and get the judges to tell what they thought. At times it was a bit too long for me and I would have just liked to see their thoughts on Cici (and in the beginning Miranda). But I guess this did make it feel more a cooking show like you see on TV.
Next to that we see her adjust to school, correct people who call her Chinese or her food Thai. We see her try to make lunch that doesn’t smell to her classmates (which I just found sad to be honest as I would have rather seen her just do her own thing). We see her become friends and learn new things, but also find out that they have a lot in common.
Miranda (her partner in the first rounds of the competition) was an interesting girl. On the one hand I really liked her and loved how she was a magician with knives and cooking, loved how she had something else that she wanted to do and was finding the courage to tell her dad. But on the other hand she was really bossy.
I loved the video calls with grandma, while it also made me sad, because hello, they can only see each other this way, but I am also happy that they got this at least. In another time they would have had to write letters or call via phone and just hear each other.
The ending was super sweet and just had me smiling in happiness. The cooking competition, well it was no surprise who won, that is all I will say.
The only issue was the parents and how hard they pushed her to study and to get even better grades. I understand why, but come on, be a bit less harsh.
The art was great, I really like the style.
All in all, I had fun reading this one! Would recommend it if you love cooking and kids finding a place to belong.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
vtsarahd's review against another edition
5.0
Great for sharing during immigration unit and for fans of Kids Baking Championship!
alli_thebookgiraffe's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a cute story! I love seeing a book take such a fun twist on a middle grade immigration story.
bonnieebrown's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75