Contemporary Realism 

Other  Words for Home 

Warga, Jasmine. Other Words for Home. 2019. $6.30. 368 pages. ISBN 0062747819. 

This beautiful novel-in-verse takes us through the life of a Syrian refugee and the struggles it causes for Jude and her mother to move to the United States. While Jude’s brother is for the revolution, Jude’s father is not, causing turmoil in the family. With a baby on the way, Jude’s mother gets in contact with her brother in the United States to see if they can stay with them. Jude is very hesitant, but follows her mother, and soon to be sibling across the sea. In the United States Jude learns everything from pieces of English to the hatred some have towards her and her beliefs. Warga has a wonderful way of writing some of the hardest moments of a Jude’s life in a simplistic, yet colorful and poetic way. This book will pull at your heartstrings and leave you wanting to know what will happen with Jude as she begins to grow up in the United States.

Maizy Chen's Last Chance 

Yee, Lisa. Maizy Chen’s Last Chance. Random House, 2021. $8.36. 304 pages. ISBN 1984830279.

Maizy never really met her grandparents, and definitely did not want to leave Los Angeles, but as soon as her mother finds out that her Opa is quite sick, they travel to Last Chance Minnesota. They arrive at the Golden Palace, the Chinese restaurant Maizy’s Oma and Opa own. During her time there, Maizy learns so much about herself, and her family history. The heartwarming story will take you through  lots of ups and downs, hilarious moments, and some pretty difficult ones. Overall, Lisa Yee takes us through a journey of discovery and the love for family in an accessible paced novel.