The Many Meanings of Meilan

Více o knize

A family feud before seventh grade forces Meilan to leave Boston's Chinatown for rural Ohio, where she must discover her inner strength and sense of justice. Meilan Hua's life revolves around her beloved Nai Nai, her family's bakery, and cherished Chinese fairy tales. After Nai Nai's death, a family conflict leads Meilan, her parents, and her grieving grandfather on a journey across the country to find a new home, ultimately landing in Redbud, Ohio. The stark contrast between Redbud and Chinatown leaves Meilan feeling lost, especially when her name is changed at school. To cope, she imagines herself as various Meilans, each inspired by different Chinese characters that sound like her name. Sometimes she embodies Mist, cool and unseen; other times, she's Basket, carrying her family's hopes and her own guilt; and occasionally, she shines as bright Blue, reflecting her feelings around her new friend Logan. Meilan initially keeps these identities separate until an injustice at school reveals the strength in uniting her many selves. This poignant narrative explores grief, the small and large injustices that provoke anger, and the peace found in discovering one's true home within.