A review by dsuttles
April and the Dragon Lady by Lensey Namioka

2.0

While the character development is weaker than tepid tap water, the dialogue reads like a skit from an introductory language class, and the plot revs with all the gusto of a rusty motor, April and the Dragon Lady still manages to hold its charm. There is so little fiction that details the lives of Asian American gals growing up in the late 20th/early 21st century that it is impossible to dismiss this work of fiction as worthless reading. April's experience, while not universal, certainly reflects the real experiences of other Asian American teens torn between cultures, generations, and people. However, Namioka's attempt at expressing this experience through young adult fiction was a bit amateurish. By all means, April's story needs to be told -- but it need not be at the expense of all the elements of good storytelling.