Reviews

New from Here by Kelly Yang

ttmathew's review

hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

abzhozay's review

medium-paced

3.5

This was my first book set during the "COVID" era. It was really interesting to read in a perspective a a young Chinese boy who recently immigrated from China before the virus hit the states. His perspective seemed so innocent, heartbreaking, and heartwarming. I can't imagine what his family had to go through during this time ~ their father stuck in China to work and provide for the famil; their mom struggling to find a job in the US; the kids being teased for just how they look. As a kid, you might not fully grasp the situation unless you experience racism firsthand. All they really wanted to do was fit in and be there for their family. I recommend for young readers for an educational and fun outlook of a recent point in time. 

handsliftedhigh's review

5.0

A heartwarming and poignant tale of perseverance in the midst of the world turning upside down. Kelly Yang takes us on another adventure full of immigration, racism, family, and ADHD. May we all try to be continually courageous and make the world a better place.

gallagirlreads's review

funny reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

mrs_p_reads's review

emotional funny hopeful inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

missjillybeanz's review

emotional hopeful fast-paced

3.0

damarisr's review

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

a_robin_reads's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Information:

• BookBeat audiobook

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Review:

Absolutely incredible 

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Review previously placed on my blog:

I'm currently reading New from here by Kelly Yang. I'm listening to the audiobook on BookBeat. Again wanted to make the best of my free trial, so therefore picked this one up. I have wanted to read something from Kelly Yang for a while, so this is the perfect time. This is a middle grade contemporary book.

Really loving this. I love the diversity in this book and love to learn about different experiences. This book is about the start of the pandemic (so be warned) and it is very interesting to read from a different perspective then my country. I also love the ADHD representation for the main character. Also love that this is a mixed family and two of the kids pass as white and one of them doesn't. You learn in this book how difficult that can be. Just... amazing. High rating for sure.

This was the absolute best. I loved this so much. Learned a lot. Lovely ending. Just great. 

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jpluff2334's review

4.0

This was an adorable and powerful middle grade read! It focuses on a family who moves to the U.S. to try and escape the coronavirus in Hong Kong. It grapples with sibling relationships, Asian hate, and an ADHD diagnosis. The author draws from her and her children’s experiences during the pandemic and I loved it! 

books_inthewild's review

5.0

This story- set right at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic- is fiction, but very much based on the experiences of author Kelly Yang and her family.

Moving from Hong Kong to California right as the pandemic started was not easy for the Wei-Evans family- they were separated from their father, their friends, their family. They had to start at new schools, their mom had to find a new job, and they struggled financially. They worried about health insurance, getting sick, and their schools closing. Most of all, racism and prejudice was rampant, and they faced terrible experiences every day.

BUT… despite all of that (and more), the children Bowen, Knox and Lea were resilient. They found out the importance of family & sticking together. They overcame challenges, and sought out ways to help others in their community. They saw the good in others. And they BROUGHT the good to others.

This book reminds us of the beginning of the pandemic: all that was happening, and all that we didn’t know was to come. And it reminds us that we still have a long way to go when it comes to racism, hate, and injustice.

This book is a must read- and would be well suited for grades 5-7. The stories of racism and their family’s struggles are challenging and upsetting to read- but it’s also filled with so many ways of combating racism, standing up to bullies, helping people in your community, being a contributor to your family, being confident in yourself, persistence, and love.