GHOSTS, TOAST, AND OTHER HAZARDS

The youthful buoyancy of Dana Wing Lau's narration alternates with notes of uncertainty reflecting the insecurity of sixth-grade Chinese American Mo Lin. She's moved to a town lacking ethnic diversity and attends a middle school where microaggressions trigger her anxiety. Mo's life is balanced by a supportive librarian, a willing friend, and her music-loving uncle. Anger and grief fill Lau's voice when Mo thinks of her stepfather's desertion of her family and her mother's depression. Lau also registers the curiosity and determination Mo shows when researching her town's racist past. During the story's climax Lau shows Mo's courage in confronting her nightmares, which include a strange elephant and ghostly characters. Lau also makes clear the moments when Mo achieves a feeling of safety. S.W. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2023]