Debut author Lily LaMotte draws on her immigrant experiences--as well as her cooking show obsession--for a toothsome #OwnVoices graphic feast vibrantly illustrated by the Ignatz-nominated Ann Xu.
For 12-year-old Cici, leaving Taiwan means separation from her beloved A-má (grandmother). In Seattle, Cici's classmates accuse her of eating "rotten worms" for lunch; the family mantra ("good grades, good college, good job, good life") adds extra stress; and her overworked parents make her miss A-má even more. Entering a kids' cooking contest with a cash prize provides the promising opportunity Cici needs to bring A-má to Seattle for her 70th birthday. In Measuring Up--as a chef, yes, but also as a friend, daughter, granddaughter--Cici figures out just the right ingredients for satisfying success. --Terry Hong, Smithsonian BookDragon