Why read The Many Meanings of Meilan?

Book cover of The Many Meanings of Meilan

Book description

"The little girl I was would have been thrilled to encounter Meilan... having found a character who embraces the complexity of being both Chinese and American, I would have been able to echo her words: 'I am not alone.'"
-New York Times Book Review by Jean Kwok

A family feud…

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Why read it?

1 author picked The Many Meanings of Meilan as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Christina Matula

Author

This story made me reflect on and appreciate the power of names. Twelve-year-old Meilan moves with her family from Boston’s Chinatown to Redbud, Ohio for a fresh start. When the principal insists on changing her name to Melanie, she starts to question her name and its meaning. Her nickname, Lan, has many meanings in Chinese and she tries to fit into all of them: basket – to carry the burden of her family’s stress; blue – to reflect her mood; and mist – to be invisible at school; before cherishing her name’s true meaning: beautiful orchid.

From Christina's list on featuring Asian-American/Canadian kids.