TIGER DAUGHTER, by Rebecca Lim, Delacorte Press, Aug. 15, 2023, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 10 and up)
A first-generation immigrant struggles to find her own voice amidst of her father’s demands in Tiger Daughter, by Rebecca Lim.
Wen Zhou is a first-generation daughter of Chinese migrant parents. She has high expectations from her parents to succeed in school, especially her father whose strict rules leave her feeling trapped. She dreams of creating a future for herself more satisfying than the one her parents expect her to lead.
Then she befriends a boy named Henry who is also a first-generation immigrant. He is the smartest boy at school despite struggling with his English and understands her in a way nobody has lately. Both of them dream of escaping and together they come up with a plan to take an entrance exam for a selective school far from home.
But when tragedy strikes, it will take all of Wen’s resilience and tiger strength to get herself and Henry through the storm that follows. —Synopsis provided by Delacorte Press
At 192 pages, Tiger Daughter is in the sweet spot for middle readers who want a big punch in a not-so-long book. And, boy, does Tiger Daughter make a statement.
Wen is a quiet force. She does what she’s told and doesn’t make waves. Until she finds she has no choice but to push the boundaries, even if there are repercussions. She’s bright and caring and wants to do the right thing. As she finds her courage, she shifts the power dynamic within her family.
Author Rebecca Lim’s prose is smooth and thoughtful. She deftly touches on racism, sexism and emotional domestic violence. Her care and attention to detail is evident from beginning to end, making Tiger Daughter a transformative read.
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