Danny Chung Sums It Up

July 15, 2021
Eleven-year-old Danny is surprised by his parents with a new bunk bed--and a roommate--when his grandmother from China comes to England and moves in with them. While he'd rather spend time with his friends, Danny's tasked with showing his paternal grandmother, Nai Nai, around. Nai Nai doesn't speak English, and her lack of familiarity with the local culture continually embarrasses Danny. But the more time he spends with her, the more Danny finds to admire. The intergenerational relationship between grandmother and grandson shows the power of love to connect across ages, cultures, and language barriers, as Danny doesn't speak Nai Nai's dialect. Told with humor and authenticity, this refreshingly sweet story also touches on the challenges Danny and his family face as British Chinese people: Although Danny was born in England, he is still subjected to stereotypes about his race (contrary to others' beliefs, he struggles with math) and witnesses xenophobia toward his grandmother. Despite their limited verbal communication, Nai Nai's actions show the lengths she'll go to protect and stand up for her grandson. Her strength inspires Danny in multiple ways and their bond helps bridge the cultural gap between Danny's artistic passion and his parents' ambitions for him. Danny's detailed drawings appear throughout the book and reinforce his cheeky, irreverent sense of humor and dedication to his art. Funny and heartwarming; a balanced equation of family, culture, and being true to yourself. (Fiction. 8-12)

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September 13, 2021
As befits one born in the year of the Dragon, 11-year-old Brit Danny Chung is artistic and loves to draw. His math skills, however, are lacking, especially according to his Ba, who believes Danny should devote his time to more constructive pursuits. Big proponents of “the Chinese Way”—embracing traditional Chinese values—Danny’s parents arrange for his Nai Nai to come from China to live with them in England, hoping Danny will learn about Chinese culture and to respect his elders. Predictably, frustration arises. Not only is Danny unable to communicate with her fluently, Nai Nai’s very presence renders him the school laughingstock when she visits his classroom to feed him chicken feet, and a giant math project is proving daunting. But luckily for Danny, Nai Nai’s mathematical prowess is something to behold. As the two confront the seemingly insurmountable language barrier with a love for numbers and art, Danny begins to view Nai Nai in a different light. Chan wholeheartedly portrays intergenerational relationships and cross-cultural exchange in a way that resonates. While several elements will be familiar to readers of similar titles, classic middle grade humor and detailed b&w sketchbook drawings by Quek add humor to an insightful read. Ages 8–12. Agent (for Chan): Chloe Seager, Madeleine Milburn Literary, TV and Film Agency;(for Quek): Alice Williams, Alice Williams Literary.

August 20, 2021

Gr 4-7-When Ba (dad) and Ma tell 11-year-old Danny that he is getting bunk beds and a "surprise," he is excited. However, that excitement quickly evaporates when Danny arrives home to find that his surprise is nothing he could have anticipated-his Nai Nai (grandmother) from China in the top bunk! Nai Nai has come to stay with Danny's family in Great Britain. This was not what he wanted; he had envisioned sleepovers with his best friend Ravi. Just when he thought it could not get worse, Danny is asked to "grannysit" Nai Nai over spring break. Despite their generational, cultural, and language differences, Danny and Nai Nai form a strong bond over spring break (and bingo) that is tested when Nai Nai finds some of Danny's early illustrations of her as the comic book-esque villain Ant Gran. Hurt, Nai Nai heads off into the city alone. Danny vows to set things right, and with his friend Ravi, he locates Nai Nai in the city. Through his apology, Danny and Nai Nai's relationship only strengthens, and he ultimately realizes how great a team he and Nai Nai truly make. This is a richly illustrated, humorous, and heartfelt realistic fiction tale with a diverse set of relatable protagonists. VERDICT Consider this a first purchase. -Jessica Caron, Bancroft Sch., MA

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