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Uprooted: A Memoir About What Happens When Your Family Moves Back
Perfect for fans of New Kid and A First Time for Everything, a joyful and tearful debut middle grade graphic memoir about one girl being uprooted when she moves to Hong Kong, a place where her family fits in but, for her, it's nothing like home.
Ruth Chan loves her hometown in Toronto, hanging out with her best friends for life, and snacking on ketchup flavored potato chips, which are the best. What Ruth doesn’t love is having to move to Hong Kong after her dad gets a new job there.
Her mom is excited to reunite with her family, but it’s not the same for Ruth. In Hong Kong, her classes are harder, her Cantonese isn’t good enough, and her parents are never around. Ruth feels lonely and completely uprooted.
But as Ruth’s dad tells stories about her family, about how they relied on their strength, courage, and each other to survive the most difficult times, Ruth realizes that she too can be strong. Gradually, she puts down roots, knowing that home will always be where her heart is.
Ruth Chan loves her hometown in Toronto, hanging out with her best friends for life, and snacking on ketchup flavored potato chips, which are the best. What Ruth doesn’t love is having to move to Hong Kong after her dad gets a new job there.
Her mom is excited to reunite with her family, but it’s not the same for Ruth. In Hong Kong, her classes are harder, her Cantonese isn’t good enough, and her parents are never around. Ruth feels lonely and completely uprooted.
But as Ruth’s dad tells stories about her family, about how they relied on their strength, courage, and each other to survive the most difficult times, Ruth realizes that she too can be strong. Gradually, she puts down roots, knowing that home will always be where her heart is.
288 pages, Paperback
Published September 10, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
September 10, 2024
This was great! Ruth's parents immigrated to Toronto from Hong Kong, and now they have the opportunity to move back, with Ruth. Ruth will have to leave her older brother and her amazing friends, live somewhere totally different from what she's used to, where she's not confident in speaking the language, and where it seems like her parents already have big social lives that don't include her! Can she be as brave as her ancestors who left their own homes behind? While this experience of living in multiple countries as a kid is probably not something the majority of middle grade readers can imagine, it seems like Ruth Chan has a direct line to the memories and feelings of her adolescent self, making this memoir totally familiar and relatable.
September 17, 2024
Today in the mail, G and I got this graphic novel, UPROOTED by @ohtruth from one of my dearest friends, @kathfitz. It’s a memoir about a girl from Toronto who moves to Hong Kong as a teen in the 90s, and how she overcomes culture shock and learns to adapt to her wildly different surroundings. It’s also about her father’s family fleeing China during the Second Sino-Japanese War. The art is wonderful and so recognizable. It’s funny and moving and tender and sweet.
Like Ruth, I moved from Toronto to Hong Kong when I was a teen in the 90s. I had also never lived anywhere but Canada and left behind a group of friends who I loved. Like Ruth, my parents spoke Cantonese to me often and I would speak English back. Like Ruth, I had to overcome a lot of shyness to begin speaking Cantonese in Hong Kong again, with both my extended family and in the streets. Like Ruth, I attended an international high school in Hong Kong, and felt overwhelmed by a lot of the classes at first. Like Ruth, I hung out at Pacific Place with friends on the weekends, and listened to both Western and Cantopop stars. And like Ruth, when we first moved, my brother and I were often left to fend for ourselves, because my parents were working. Like Ruth, I also had family members who fled China during the same war, and remember it with sadness but also some pride. It is an absolutely surreal experience to read a memoir that so closely mirrors your own life experience. At this point, I count living in Hong Kong as a privilege. But at the time, I remember aching so much for my life in Canada and fantasizing about moving in with my best friends.
I don’t have anything really profound to say about this book, other than that it was deeply moving, eerily familiar, and that I felt understood and seen by it - maybe in a way that I never was at that time. I really really hope that other Third Culture Kids will read this and maybe see a little of themselves in it. Deeply grateful to have read this and to Ruth for sharing her experience - and to @mackidsbooks @stmartinspress @raincoastbooks for publishing it.
Like Ruth, I moved from Toronto to Hong Kong when I was a teen in the 90s. I had also never lived anywhere but Canada and left behind a group of friends who I loved. Like Ruth, my parents spoke Cantonese to me often and I would speak English back. Like Ruth, I had to overcome a lot of shyness to begin speaking Cantonese in Hong Kong again, with both my extended family and in the streets. Like Ruth, I attended an international high school in Hong Kong, and felt overwhelmed by a lot of the classes at first. Like Ruth, I hung out at Pacific Place with friends on the weekends, and listened to both Western and Cantopop stars. And like Ruth, when we first moved, my brother and I were often left to fend for ourselves, because my parents were working. Like Ruth, I also had family members who fled China during the same war, and remember it with sadness but also some pride. It is an absolutely surreal experience to read a memoir that so closely mirrors your own life experience. At this point, I count living in Hong Kong as a privilege. But at the time, I remember aching so much for my life in Canada and fantasizing about moving in with my best friends.
I don’t have anything really profound to say about this book, other than that it was deeply moving, eerily familiar, and that I felt understood and seen by it - maybe in a way that I never was at that time. I really really hope that other Third Culture Kids will read this and maybe see a little of themselves in it. Deeply grateful to have read this and to Ruth for sharing her experience - and to @mackidsbooks @stmartinspress @raincoastbooks for publishing it.
July 17, 2024
Thank you Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Roaring Brook Press, and NetGalley for the advanced electronic review copy of this book. This is a great story about moving from Toronto to Hong Kong, based on the author’s real life. The story is very relatable with typical experiences of language difficulties, missing old friends and making new ones, and adjusting to the new place. It is well written and is a good fit for the intended audience. Excellent illustrations enhanced overall reading experience. I especially liked how the author used different colors to differentiate between languages.
March 1, 2024
In the graphic memoir Uprooted, we see a young girl transplanted from where she grew up to where her parents grew up, across the world and in a different culture. It grasps the unique in-between of feeling not quite "at home" anywhere. The art and the story weave together in a helpful way to portray the awkwardness of that age and of moving to a new home and culture and the hopefulness of new beginnings. The story of her parents will stay with you for a long time. This is a worthwhile read for pre-teens and teens to help them understand (or find similarities in) the experiences of Asian immigrants in the western world and the awkwardness of not fitting in anywhere.
June 25, 2024
Ruth Chan writes about her experience of moving to Hong Kong when she was 13, a move she was less than thrilled about. Change was difficult and the author shares the many ways this transition was challenging but I loved how she found bits and pieces that helped her realize the experience could be a good one! Cantonese translations, Chinese characters, and a nice author's note at the end all add to the unique way this graphic novel places the reader in Hong Kong!
June 8, 2024
E ARC provided by Netgalley
In 1993, Ruth's father gets a better job in Hong Kong, where her mother lived before moving to Toronto. Her older brother, a junior in high school, stays at a boarding school, but the rest of the family, including a dog and a cat, relocate. Ruth is devastated, because she loves her friends and her life in Toronto. She doesn't speak Cantonese very well, isn't familiar with her many relatives in Hong Kong, and finds it hard to make friends at her new German school. She eventually makes friends with Bonnie, as well as a boy in her huge apartment complex, but her father often travels to China for work, and she misses their bedtime chats. Her mother is often not home, and Ruth spends a lot of time by herself. Little by little, she travels around the city more and starts to feel at home, but a bad report from her teachers angers her mother, who wants her to buckle down. Around this time, Bonnie stops talking to her, and when Ruth comes home to find no one there and no note, she gets very angry at her parents when they return. Her father has been telling her the story of what he went through as a child, since he was born in 1944 after his family had to flee their home and lived for quite some time in a barn. She also learns that her mother was sad to leave Hong Kong and move to Toronto, so does really understand what Ruth is going through. By the time her brother comes to visit at Christmas time, Ruth has a better grasp on her new life.
Strengths: This was a well done look at having to move from a familiar environment to somewhere completely new. Ruth's struggles with language, custom, and getting to know family were poignant. Today's children will be amazed at how often she was left alone in a new, large city. There is a little friends drama, and I loved the fact that while fitting in and having friends was (of course) important for Ruth, her mother was more concerned with the quality of her school work. The artwork is engaging, and the realistic pastel color scheme gave a slightly retro feel to this, although all Millenials know that the 1990s was just ten years ago.
Weaknesses: The author has a note that she started writing a graphic novel about her father's childhood experience but then realized she really wanted to pivot more towards her own story; I want a novel about the father's experiences! I can't say I've read much about the second Sino-Japanese War, and I'd love to know more.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed Brown's While I Was Away or Matula's The Not-So-Uniform Life of Holly Mei, or want more graphic novel memoirs set during this era, like Ogle's Four Eyes, Doodles From the Boogie Down, Big Apple Diaries, or Santat's A First Time for Everything.
In 1993, Ruth's father gets a better job in Hong Kong, where her mother lived before moving to Toronto. Her older brother, a junior in high school, stays at a boarding school, but the rest of the family, including a dog and a cat, relocate. Ruth is devastated, because she loves her friends and her life in Toronto. She doesn't speak Cantonese very well, isn't familiar with her many relatives in Hong Kong, and finds it hard to make friends at her new German school. She eventually makes friends with Bonnie, as well as a boy in her huge apartment complex, but her father often travels to China for work, and she misses their bedtime chats. Her mother is often not home, and Ruth spends a lot of time by herself. Little by little, she travels around the city more and starts to feel at home, but a bad report from her teachers angers her mother, who wants her to buckle down. Around this time, Bonnie stops talking to her, and when Ruth comes home to find no one there and no note, she gets very angry at her parents when they return. Her father has been telling her the story of what he went through as a child, since he was born in 1944 after his family had to flee their home and lived for quite some time in a barn. She also learns that her mother was sad to leave Hong Kong and move to Toronto, so does really understand what Ruth is going through. By the time her brother comes to visit at Christmas time, Ruth has a better grasp on her new life.
Strengths: This was a well done look at having to move from a familiar environment to somewhere completely new. Ruth's struggles with language, custom, and getting to know family were poignant. Today's children will be amazed at how often she was left alone in a new, large city. There is a little friends drama, and I loved the fact that while fitting in and having friends was (of course) important for Ruth, her mother was more concerned with the quality of her school work. The artwork is engaging, and the realistic pastel color scheme gave a slightly retro feel to this, although all Millenials know that the 1990s was just ten years ago.
Weaknesses: The author has a note that she started writing a graphic novel about her father's childhood experience but then realized she really wanted to pivot more towards her own story; I want a novel about the father's experiences! I can't say I've read much about the second Sino-Japanese War, and I'd love to know more.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed Brown's While I Was Away or Matula's The Not-So-Uniform Life of Holly Mei, or want more graphic novel memoirs set during this era, like Ogle's Four Eyes, Doodles From the Boogie Down, Big Apple Diaries, or Santat's A First Time for Everything.
July 7, 2024
Hi Again!
It was very nice to take a small break last week but on that break I did a lot of reading. I am nearly done with a very long audiobook (I think it’s roughly 17 hours), started to re-read Heartstopper and Lore Olympus (I am forever sad this series has ended), and even got to read a significant chunk more of an E-ARC and an audiobook ARC both of which I am immensely enjoying so far. Aside from all the reading I have been doing, I also took the time to work on some new graphics and other fun things. But to kick off this week I am going to talk about a graphic novel E-ARC (thank you so much to the publisher for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinions).
SPOILERS AHEAD
Ruth loves Toronto, it’s pretty much the only home she has ever known. She loves her school, her friends, her home, and just everything about Toronto. However, her parents decided that they would be moving to Hong Kong near where her mother’s family lives and where her father got a new job. Ruth is definitely not excited about the move but she is going to give it a chance. Ruth’s slightly older brother will get to stay behind in Toronto and attend boarding school so before the big move they drop him off at school, finish packing boxes, and then fly out for the big move. Once Ruth and her parents (as well as the family pets) arrive in Hong Kong and make their way to the new apartment, Ruth begins to see how different life in Hong Kong will be. They make it to the new place and begin to settle in, Ruth will start school soon at a German school located in Hong Kong (even though Ruth does not speak German). Her father’s job will also start soon and require him to travel away from the family for the majority of the week, which will be another major change for Ruth, as she and her father are super close and typically do what they call talk to talks at night (this is where they talk about anything and everything with one another while Ruth is in bed and her dad on the floor). Ruth is the least excited about this change but she is still going to do her best to adjust to her new Hong Kong life.
I enjoyed this graphic novel so much. I loved meeting Ruth and her whole family and getting to see how she viewed Hong Kong. I enjoyed seeing how Ruth settled into her new life and how her parents adjusted as well (I think the ending where her brother came was definitely one of my favorite moments). Moving anywhere is definitely a struggle and usually a large adjustment and Ruth did her best. I highly recommend picking up this graphic novel when it hits shelves on September 10th, 2024!
Goodreads Rating: 5 Stars
***Thank you so much to the publisher for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.
It was very nice to take a small break last week but on that break I did a lot of reading. I am nearly done with a very long audiobook (I think it’s roughly 17 hours), started to re-read Heartstopper and Lore Olympus (I am forever sad this series has ended), and even got to read a significant chunk more of an E-ARC and an audiobook ARC both of which I am immensely enjoying so far. Aside from all the reading I have been doing, I also took the time to work on some new graphics and other fun things. But to kick off this week I am going to talk about a graphic novel E-ARC (thank you so much to the publisher for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinions).
SPOILERS AHEAD
Ruth loves Toronto, it’s pretty much the only home she has ever known. She loves her school, her friends, her home, and just everything about Toronto. However, her parents decided that they would be moving to Hong Kong near where her mother’s family lives and where her father got a new job. Ruth is definitely not excited about the move but she is going to give it a chance. Ruth’s slightly older brother will get to stay behind in Toronto and attend boarding school so before the big move they drop him off at school, finish packing boxes, and then fly out for the big move. Once Ruth and her parents (as well as the family pets) arrive in Hong Kong and make their way to the new apartment, Ruth begins to see how different life in Hong Kong will be. They make it to the new place and begin to settle in, Ruth will start school soon at a German school located in Hong Kong (even though Ruth does not speak German). Her father’s job will also start soon and require him to travel away from the family for the majority of the week, which will be another major change for Ruth, as she and her father are super close and typically do what they call talk to talks at night (this is where they talk about anything and everything with one another while Ruth is in bed and her dad on the floor). Ruth is the least excited about this change but she is still going to do her best to adjust to her new Hong Kong life.
I enjoyed this graphic novel so much. I loved meeting Ruth and her whole family and getting to see how she viewed Hong Kong. I enjoyed seeing how Ruth settled into her new life and how her parents adjusted as well (I think the ending where her brother came was definitely one of my favorite moments). Moving anywhere is definitely a struggle and usually a large adjustment and Ruth did her best. I highly recommend picking up this graphic novel when it hits shelves on September 10th, 2024!
Goodreads Rating: 5 Stars
***Thank you so much to the publisher for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.
April 11, 2024
Growing up in Toronto, Ruth feels like your average Canadian teen. She loves hanging out with her friends, eating her favorite ketchup-flavored potato chips, and her "talk-to-talks" with her father. But Ruth suddenly feels lost when his job requires her family to uproot themselves from Toronto and return to Hong Kong, where her parents grew up.
Her mother is thrilled to be reunited with her friends, family, and her favorite things about Hong Kong, but Ruth feels like she isn't enough. She's not Chinese enough, fluent enough in Cantonese, or smart enough for her new international school. Ruth feels more alone than ever with her brother back in Canada at boarding school, a dad who works in China, and a mom who isn't ever at home.
As Ruth begins to figure out life in a new country, she realizes that maybe the story her dad told her about his family's strength, courage, and resilience might also mean that she can persevere.
What worked for me: I love a graphic memoir, and Chan's story is brilliantly shared through this medium. She does an excellent job of showcasing her struggle to adjust to a new country and a new family structure. I especially loved the use of different text colors for English vs. Cantonese and the use of Chinese characters to show what she didn't understand.
What didn't work for me: I would have liked to see the resolution of her father's family story. It felt a little unfinished. We just leave them in the barn and don't learn much more about what comes next.
Her mother is thrilled to be reunited with her friends, family, and her favorite things about Hong Kong, but Ruth feels like she isn't enough. She's not Chinese enough, fluent enough in Cantonese, or smart enough for her new international school. Ruth feels more alone than ever with her brother back in Canada at boarding school, a dad who works in China, and a mom who isn't ever at home.
As Ruth begins to figure out life in a new country, she realizes that maybe the story her dad told her about his family's strength, courage, and resilience might also mean that she can persevere.
What worked for me: I love a graphic memoir, and Chan's story is brilliantly shared through this medium. She does an excellent job of showcasing her struggle to adjust to a new country and a new family structure. I especially loved the use of different text colors for English vs. Cantonese and the use of Chinese characters to show what she didn't understand.
What didn't work for me: I would have liked to see the resolution of her father's family story. It felt a little unfinished. We just leave them in the barn and don't learn much more about what comes next.
September 19, 2024
Endearing and absolutely a fantastically entertaining readalike to books like A First Time for Everything and New Kid as it shares in the summary, this one is a new favorite.
Ruth's family lives in Toronto and have lived a good life there, however, Ruth's family has made the decision to move to Hong Kong where her father has a job opportunity in China. He'll be away a little bit more but they'll be back closer to family that they have missed while living in Canada. What Ruth realizes after a few mishaps and missteps when moving back is how lonely her mother felt when Ruth explodes at her parents. In Toronto she was always "the Asian" and now that she's in Hong Kong, she's not Asian enough, not speaking Cantonese well, not fitting in with her extended family, and even her new best friend has been ignoring her and she doesn't know why. Then the isolation of her dad being away more and missing out on their nightly Talk to Talks, she needs to vent. Lovingly, her parents, after their shock, give her some time and space and recognize how they can move forward.
It's a sweet graphic novel memoir with a straightforward premise and all of the realistic battles any teen goes through with a sense of humor and sentimentality toward coming-of-age.
Ruth's family lives in Toronto and have lived a good life there, however, Ruth's family has made the decision to move to Hong Kong where her father has a job opportunity in China. He'll be away a little bit more but they'll be back closer to family that they have missed while living in Canada. What Ruth realizes after a few mishaps and missteps when moving back is how lonely her mother felt when Ruth explodes at her parents. In Toronto she was always "the Asian" and now that she's in Hong Kong, she's not Asian enough, not speaking Cantonese well, not fitting in with her extended family, and even her new best friend has been ignoring her and she doesn't know why. Then the isolation of her dad being away more and missing out on their nightly Talk to Talks, she needs to vent. Lovingly, her parents, after their shock, give her some time and space and recognize how they can move forward.
It's a sweet graphic novel memoir with a straightforward premise and all of the realistic battles any teen goes through with a sense of humor and sentimentality toward coming-of-age.
June 28, 2024
Review from my little sister Laly (11):
Ruth enjoys her life in Canada; she has many friends and doesn't want to leave. But she has to move to Hong Kong, away from all her friends and closer to a family she has never known. Ruth must make a new life for herself and embrace her heritage. She feels a mix of emotions as she prepares for this significant change.
While reading this book, I found it to be highly relatable. As a young person who once had to relocate, I empathized with the feelings of leaving behind familiar surroundings and friends.
Ruth, the main character, was portrayed as someone who tended to procrastinate, adding an interesting dimension to her personality. Her previous friends were depicted as genuinely sweet individuals, and her new friends were equally delightful.
The illustrations of the city backdrops were exceptionally well done, enhancing the overall reading experience.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who appreciates a heartwarming narrative centered around relocation.
Happy Reading, Laly ❤️ 📚
Thank you, @netgalley & @mackidsbooks, for the complimentary ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Ruth enjoys her life in Canada; she has many friends and doesn't want to leave. But she has to move to Hong Kong, away from all her friends and closer to a family she has never known. Ruth must make a new life for herself and embrace her heritage. She feels a mix of emotions as she prepares for this significant change.
While reading this book, I found it to be highly relatable. As a young person who once had to relocate, I empathized with the feelings of leaving behind familiar surroundings and friends.
Ruth, the main character, was portrayed as someone who tended to procrastinate, adding an interesting dimension to her personality. Her previous friends were depicted as genuinely sweet individuals, and her new friends were equally delightful.
The illustrations of the city backdrops were exceptionally well done, enhancing the overall reading experience.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who appreciates a heartwarming narrative centered around relocation.
Happy Reading, Laly ❤️ 📚
Thank you, @netgalley & @mackidsbooks, for the complimentary ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 17, 2024
"Uprooted" is a graphic memoir that follows the journey of a young girl thrust into a new life on the other side of the world. Tackling the bittersweet feeling of never quite belonging, the story skillfully navigates the challenges of teenhood amidst the excitement of new beginnings. Through its expressive art and engaging narrative, it depicts the struggles of adapting to a foreign culture. The parallel story of the Ruth's parents adds a depth of emotion that stays with readers long after they finish the book. Particularly resonant for teens, this GN offers valuable insights into the immigrant experience and the quest for identity. Inspired by the author's own life, the protagonist's journey mirrors real-life challenges of relocation and starting afresh. As she confronts these obstacles head-on, readers are moved by her resilience, courage, and unwavering spirit. Despite the hurdles of fitting into a new society, the story serves as a reminder that perseverance and determination can overcome any adversity.
January 31, 2024
A great story about a girl's life becoming uprooted as she moves from Toronto to Hong Kong and starts over. Ruth Chan loves her life in Toronto but when her dad gets a better job in Hong Kong, her family decides it's time to move. Ruth isn't ready to give up her best friends, her favorite things, and starting over in a new place where her language skills aren't the best and her parents are never around is hard. Ruth will go through a lot of growing but along the way her dad will tell her stories of her family and how they have persevered. Moving to a new place and trying to fit into a whole new society is hard, but anything is possible with a bit of strength, courage, and open heart. This was a really cute story and since it was based on the author's own life, it really felt so authentic. I think it's a great read for kids !
*Thanks Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Roaring Brook Press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*
*Thanks Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Roaring Brook Press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*
June 2, 2024
This memoir captures the angst of being a 13 year old girl, from the crushes on boys to the worries about dressing to be cool. It's also a nostalgic trip back to the 1990's for adults who read it. Although it is a common theme, it is Ruth Chan's memoir. A nice touch that makes this book stand out from similar memoirs is the flashbacks to the story of her father's birth during the Second Sino-Japanese War. Those panels are shown in muted orange tones to highlight to the reader that they are flashbacks from the dad's memories. Chan does a nice job of tying the memories and her life in Hong Kong together by the end of the book! Perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier's books like Smile, Sisters and Guts.
July 21, 2024
I received an ARC of this book through Net Galley and I am really happy that I did.
This was a reverse of every other book about feeling alienated and not fitting in that I have read. In this graphic novel, the main character, Ruth, moves to Hong Kong from the US with her parents. She was born in the US and had only been to Hong Kong once before. The story is about her acclimation to Hong Kong and the way it feels when you look like everyone else and you should fit in but you really don't.
I enjoyed reading a story from the other side of the immigrant story. It was well written and I didn't feel like I was cheated (as I often to with graphic novels) out of details and background stuff.
The only problem I had with the book was a technical one. The publisher used black, gray and Chinese Characters to distinguish between English, Cantonese Ruth understood and Cantonese Ruth did not understand. The gray was often hard to distinguish from the black. As it was a graphic novel they should have chosen another, not so similar, color. Otherwise I loved the idea.
This was a reverse of every other book about feeling alienated and not fitting in that I have read. In this graphic novel, the main character, Ruth, moves to Hong Kong from the US with her parents. She was born in the US and had only been to Hong Kong once before. The story is about her acclimation to Hong Kong and the way it feels when you look like everyone else and you should fit in but you really don't.
I enjoyed reading a story from the other side of the immigrant story. It was well written and I didn't feel like I was cheated (as I often to with graphic novels) out of details and background stuff.
The only problem I had with the book was a technical one. The publisher used black, gray and Chinese Characters to distinguish between English, Cantonese Ruth understood and Cantonese Ruth did not understand. The gray was often hard to distinguish from the black. As it was a graphic novel they should have chosen another, not so similar, color. Otherwise I loved the idea.
September 3, 2024
ARC courtesy of the publisher (and signed by the author at ALA!).
4.5 stars. I've been a fan of Ruth Chan's picture book work for quite a while so I was excited when I read she was publishing a middle grade graphic memoir, I love her art style. I've read a lot of these types of books and a lot of them hit on the same points (which isn't necessarily a criticism). That said, I loved Uprooted. It's a twist on "moving to a new place and starting over" - her whole family is there, she already is somewhat familiar with the culture, she can sort of get by in public - but even with all that, Ruth still moves to a new place and has to start over. It felt timeless, even though it's clearly set in the 90s - it wasn't too 90s, it was realistic. Highly recommended!
4.5 stars. I've been a fan of Ruth Chan's picture book work for quite a while so I was excited when I read she was publishing a middle grade graphic memoir, I love her art style. I've read a lot of these types of books and a lot of them hit on the same points (which isn't necessarily a criticism). That said, I loved Uprooted. It's a twist on "moving to a new place and starting over" - her whole family is there, she already is somewhat familiar with the culture, she can sort of get by in public - but even with all that, Ruth still moves to a new place and has to start over. It felt timeless, even though it's clearly set in the 90s - it wasn't too 90s, it was realistic. Highly recommended!
September 9, 2024
I received a free eARC of this graphic memoir from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
I have read more than one graphic memoir where a young person comes from a foreign country to the US. This was different. A young lady moving from Toronto to Hong Kong. While she was born in Canada, her parents were not. Her father got a job "back home" and her adventure began. Learning a new culture. Making new friends. Trying to figure out her life. This is interwoven with her father telling her the story of how his family had to flee from the Japanese and his birth under difficult circumstances. There is a lot of awkwardness, some good humor, the artwork fits the story well. It is one I would be happy to have in a middle school classroom library.
I have read more than one graphic memoir where a young person comes from a foreign country to the US. This was different. A young lady moving from Toronto to Hong Kong. While she was born in Canada, her parents were not. Her father got a job "back home" and her adventure began. Learning a new culture. Making new friends. Trying to figure out her life. This is interwoven with her father telling her the story of how his family had to flee from the Japanese and his birth under difficult circumstances. There is a lot of awkwardness, some good humor, the artwork fits the story well. It is one I would be happy to have in a middle school classroom library.
September 21, 2024
Loved this memoir where Ruth Chan shares leaving her life, brother, and besties behind in Toronto when she moves to Hong Kong for her father's job and to be closer to her mom's family. It beautifully explores how a child can feel displaced and lonely even when they're brave and resilient. I really enjoyed how the author told her story in parallel with her father sharing how his family had to move and start over in a time of war. And there are so many moments of middle grade joy here too - care packages from friends back home, mall days with new besties, crushes on the bus! The whole book was a a great read for me and my MG daughter. Will definitely be buying a copy for our home library!
September 23, 2024
Memoirs are my favorite type of graphic novel, and this is one of the best. I love a good fish-out-of-water story, and Ruth is definitely out of her element when they move back to Hong Kong, a place she has never called home. As a typical 13-year-old, she misses her friends back in Toronto and is a bit overwhelmed with her new life in Hong Kong. I loved how she shared more than her own struggles to make friends, adjust to school, and adapt to fast-paced Hong Kong living -- adding in her "talk-to-talks" with her dad gave this book its heart and made it a 5-star read. Recommended for any classroom library.
September 29, 2024
My 13 year daughter and I enjoyed and resonated with this memoir of Ruth who grew up in Canada, but is moving away from everything and everyone she knows to live in Hong Kong (where her parents are from). The family dynamics are changing (big bro stays in Canada to attend boarding school, Dad travels a lot for work and Mom is a lot more busy than Ruth is used to. The story (in graphic form) was well written. I liked how words in English and Cantonese were in different colors, making it easy to understand the communication. Themes of belonging, friendships and family.
FYI: there were several OMGs throughout the book, but other than that no language to be concerned about and no agenda.
FYI: there were several OMGs throughout the book, but other than that no language to be concerned about and no agenda.
April 4, 2024
I was provided a digital copy of this book by the publisher via NetGalley.
I will always love a graphic memoir. I was especially impressed that this was the first graphic novel by the author. It flowed so well and covered some deep topics. It was funny and genuine and wholesome. I loved that the author originally wanted to write about her father’s family and their story, but changed it once she realized she had a similar experience as them—being uprooted. I liked that she still included her father’s story because I think it made it more expansive almost. Really recommend!
I will always love a graphic memoir. I was especially impressed that this was the first graphic novel by the author. It flowed so well and covered some deep topics. It was funny and genuine and wholesome. I loved that the author originally wanted to write about her father’s family and their story, but changed it once she realized she had a similar experience as them—being uprooted. I liked that she still included her father’s story because I think it made it more expansive almost. Really recommend!
June 4, 2024
Great graphic novel memoir for fans of Real Friends, Be Prepared, & Parachute Kids. Middle school is pretty much guaranteed to have friend drama, parent/family growing pains, & self-discovery hiccups, but throw in an international move (& all that accompanies that like new school, new friends, more family), and it's a whole other level!
Recommend 8 and up & will definitely be adding it to my middle school class library.
Recommend 8 and up & will definitely be adding it to my middle school class library.
September 2, 2024
I really enjoyed this. It was easy to empathize with Ruth and her situation. And part of that was the simple but engaging illustrations. It may get compared to New Kid and I think fans of that will be fans of this. But it really fits in a different category of growing up and fitting in. Also, so glad to see Ruth’s anger bubble over. We can sometimes take kids for granted and I think her anger is well presented.
September 18, 2024
I won this book in a GoodReads Giveaway and I’m very glad I did! I’m typically not into Graphic Novels, but it’s a cute and campy read. It’s one of those definitely feel good story’s that really helps after a long day. As a High School Librarian, I plan on adding my copy of the book into our school’s collection for my students to read. I think it’s something they’ll especially enjoy! I definitely recommend giving this Graphic Novel a try!
September 24, 2024
Memoir - Ruth / Mui has grown up in Canada. Her family decides to move back to Hong Kong. She is not happy about it. She feels completely uprooted. Her mom is very excited to be back and seems too busy to recognize some of Ruth struggles and she tried to adapt to her new home. Her Dad is great -- love the Talk-to-Talk tradition they have.
June 1, 2024
the art was very cute and I enjoyed how the author intertwined her own family story with her story about moving from Canada away from her friends into a totally different place. this book reminds me why I love graphic novel memoirs and graphic novels in general :).
September 20, 2024
Graphic novel
Teen who has lived in Toronto moved to Hong Kong with her family. In Toronto she was only seen as Chinese. In Hong Kong she is seen as not Chinese enough.
Teen emotions as she navigates moving to a new area
Teen who has lived in Toronto moved to Hong Kong with her family. In Toronto she was only seen as Chinese. In Hong Kong she is seen as not Chinese enough.
Teen emotions as she navigates moving to a new area
September 20, 2024
A gorgeous debut graphic novel by a talented illustrator and storyteller. Intriguing story and perfect visual imagery to accompany. Humorous, poignant, you will love learning about this young girl and her family's "reverse" immigration from Canada to Hong Kong, based on the author's real life.
July 3, 2024
3.5 stars
July 10, 2024
Ruth Chan wrote a memoir and I’m so here for it.
August 3, 2024
I got an arc of this at the ALA conference. I’ve worked in international schools for the last 21 years, and I can see how many of our students would relate to Ruth’s memoir.
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