I was so charmed by this warm story about family, love and kindness. Lisa shows us why we need empathy while making us laugh. And I loved Maizy’s many joyous discoveries, like writing fortunes that inspire people to do better, playing poker with her Opa and seeing how the rules parallel real life and her new friendship with Logan. Also, learning about her great, great grandfather’s experience as a Chinese immigrant in the late 1800s was fascinating. Just an all around amazing read!
— Susan
Description
Packed with surprises, heart, and stories within stories, this irresistible novel from an award-winning author celebrates food, fortune, and family.
Welcome to the Golden Palace!
Maizy has never been to Last Chance, Minnesota . . . until now. Her mom’s plan is just to stay for a couple weeks, until her grandfather gets better. But plans change, and as Maizy spends more time in Last Chance (where she and her family are the only Asian Americans) and at the Golden Palace—the restaurant that’s been in her family for generations—she makes some discoveries. For instance:
You can tell a LOT about someone by the way they order food.
And people can surprise you. Sometimes in good ways, sometimes in disappointing ways.
And the Golden Palace has secrets.
But the more Maizy discovers, the more questions she has. Like, why are her mom and her grandmother always fighting? Who are the people in the photographs on the office wall? And when she discovers that a beloved family treasure has gone missing—and someone has left a racist note—Maizy decides it’s time to find the answers.
“Heartfelt, personal, and real—this book is a gift.” —TAE KELLER, Newbery Medal-winning author of When You Trap a Tiger
About the Author
Lisa Yee’s debut novel, Millicent Min, Girl Genius, won the prestigious Sid Fleischman Humor Award. Her other novels for young people, with nearly two million copies in print, include Stanford Wong Flunks Big-Time, So Totally Emily Ebers, Absolutely Maybe, and two books about a fourth grader, Bobby vs. Girls (Accidentally) and Bobby the Brave (Sometimes). Lisa is also the author of American Girl’s Kanani books and Good Luck, Ivy. Her novel Warp Speed is about a Star Trek geek who gets beat up every day at school. Lisa is a former Thurber House Children’s writer-in-residence whose books have been chosen as an NPR Best Summer Read, a Sports Illustrated Kids Hot Summer Read, and a USA Today Critics’ Top Pick. Visit Lisa at lisayee.com.
Praise For…
Praise for Maizy Chen's Last Chance
★ “Lisa Yee combines neglected U.S. history and multi-generational family legends… to create the delightful and enlightening Maizy Chen's Last Chance.” —Shelf Awareness, starred review
★ “A moving, multilayered family narrative.” —Booklist, starred review
★ “Captivating... and prompts readers to consider what it means to be American.” —The Horn Book, starred review
“Heartfelt, personal, and real—this book is a gift. Readers will cheer and feel for Maizy as she bonds with her grandparents, discovers the joys and pains of growing up, and learns about her family’s Chinese American history.” —Tae Keller, Newbery-winning author of When You Trap a Tiger
“Bursting with humor and heart, Maizy Chen’s Last Chancecelebrates the power of food, family, understanding our roots, and stepping up to help others when it matters the most.” —Kate Messner, New York Times bestselling author of Breakout and Chirp
“I love this book. This is a big story and brings up much-needed discussion about the importance of community, history, and truth.” —Rita Williams-Garcia, Newbery Honor-winning author of One Crazy Summer
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