Maizy Chen's Last Chance

This book is about a 12 year old girl, Maizy, who travelled with her mother from Los Angels to a small town named " Last Change" in Minnesota to spend the summer there helping out her grandparents who owned and managed a Chinese restaurant. Her grandfather was sick and Maizy was assigned to keep her grandfather company. They shared memorable moments together. Maizy was intriqued by the story of her ancestor, Lucky, who came from China to San Francisco to start a new live and fortune. She was surprised how Lucky ended up in Minnesota by accident and settled down as the owner of a Chinese restaurant, Golden Palace" which her grandparents still own.

This is an award winning book: Newberry Honor, National Book Award Finalist, Children's Literature Award Winner. I learned about the history of the early Chinese immigrants, their challenges, and their perseverance. I learned about the meaning of "paper son". I loved the close bonding relationship Maizy developed with her grandfather during the last days of his life. I was happy that the conflict between Maisy's mother and her grandmother was resolved. I am glad Maizy's mother was able to pursue her dreams and not be tied down by tradition.