Shanghai Messenger

Review
By Horn Book Guide

Illustrated by Ed Young. Worried about traveling alone and self-concious about being biracial, Chinese-American Xiao Mei isn’t sure she wants to visit her relatives in China. This free-verse novel follows Xiao Mei’s transformation from reticent tourist to comfortable Shanghai dweller. Details of daily life, Chinese words, and a pronunciation guide add to the text’s authentic feel. Young’s soft pastel illustrations complement Cheng’s poetic images.