Title: Finally Seen (Finally Seen #1)
Author: Kelly Yang
Genre: Middle Grade, Contemporary
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Source: Library
Format: Ebook
Release Date: February 28, 2023
Rating: ★★★★★
Goodreads Synopsis:
From the New York Times bestselling author of Front Desk comes a “involving, realistic” (Booklist, starred review) middle grade novel about a young girl who leaves China to live with her parents and sister, after five years apart, and learns about family, friendship, and the power of being finally seen.
My sister got to grow up with my parents. Me? I grew up with postcards from my parents.
When ten-year-old Lina Gao steps off the plane in Los Angeles, it’s her first time in America and the first time seeing her parents and her little sister in five years! She’s been waiting for this moment every day while she lived with her grandmother in Beijing, getting teased by kids at school who called her “left behind girl.” Finally, her parents are ready for her to join their fabulous life in America! Except, it’s not exactly like in the postcards:
1. School’s a lot harder than she thought. When she mispronounces some words in English on the first day, she decides she simply won’t talk. Ever again.
2. Her chatty little sister has no problem with English. And seems to do everything better than Lina, including knowing exactly the way to her parents’ hearts.
3. They live in an apartment, not a house like in Mom’s letters, and they owe a lot of back rent from the pandemic. And Mom’s plan to pay it back sounds more like a hobby than a moneymaker.As she reckons with her hurt, Lina tries to keep a lid on her feelings, both at home and at school. When her teacher starts facing challenges for her latest book selection, a book that deeply resonates with Lina, it will take all of Lina’s courage and resilience to get over her fear and choose a future where she’s finally seen.
Review:
Ten-year-old Lina Gao lives with her grandmother in Beijing, since her parents and younger sister moved to the U.S. five years ago. Lina has always felt like she was left behind while her parents have a wonderful life without her. When her mom finally says Lina can join them, their life isn’t what she expected. Lina has trouble speaking English in class and gets embarrassed and teased by classmates. Her parents are struggling to make enough money to pay for their back rent from the pandemic. And Lina is missing her grandmother who is now alone in Beijing. The librarian introduces Lina to some graphic novels so that she can finally see herself represented in stories, which gives Lina the confidence to make changes in her life.
This was such a powerful middle grade story. There were many parts that brought tears to my eyes. Lina struggled with being bullied because she couldn’t speak English perfectly. She experienced racism from children and adults. Her parents were really struggling with money, and Lina was doing her best to help them make ends meet. Lila also had to deal with her favourite book being banned because it had a similar immigrant experience to hers, but she was strong and confident and fought it. I wish a book like this was around when I was a kid, because it would have allowed me to understand my friends’ experiences with immigration.
Finally Seen is an important story! The sequel, Finally Heard, comes out on February 27.
Content warnings: death of grandparent, abuse, cancer, racism, bullying
Have you read Finally Seen? What did you think of it?
