New From Here by Kelly Yang

I just finished reading Front Desk author Kelly Yang's newest book, New From Here. It was amazing, even better than I expected! This book deals with many serious topics, such as Asian hate, moving overseas, and surviving the COVID-19 pandemic; but it's also hilarious, heartwarming, and generally really enjoyable! I think this is a book that almost any kid who had to go through the pandemic can relate to, even if their situation was very different from that of Knox (the protagonist).

 

When Knox Wei-Evans's mom makes the last-minute decision to uproot their family from Hong Kong, where the coronavirus is beginning to take hold, and move back to California, Knox has no idea what to expect: when will he see his dad, who has to stay in Hong Kong for work, again? Will they really be safe from the coronavirus in California? And is the move temporary, or permanent?

When the Wei-Evanses reach California, where COVID-19 cases are already starting to pop up, they encounter more problems than they could have anticipated. Knox's mom is fired from her job in Hong Kong because she can't work in-person, and now she's searching frantically for work so that the family can have health care. The Wei-Evans kids all have to start at new schools, where the other students are suspicious of them because they're from China. Knox doesn't know if he'll be able to fit in here, what with his impulse problems and lack of talent for making friends. Not only that, racism against Asians is shooting up all over American. Will Knox be able to stand up to hate while trying to keep his family together?