My Mother, the Mermaid Chaser by Jamie Jo Hoang
ISBN: 0593643003
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads

“My Mother the Mermaid Chaser” is a young adult historical fiction novel by Jamie Jo Hoang. It is a sequel to the book “My Father the Panda Killer,” but can be read as a standalone. The book switches between the son, Paul, and his mother, Ngọc Lan, who walked out on their family over a decade ago, leaving Paul and his sister to deal with their abusive father. In this book, Paul goes to Vietnam to learn about their mother. Chapters switch between Paul and his mother, as they both experienced Vietnam in different ways.

The book deals with a lot of trauma and difficult topics. There is a content warning at the front of the book and a list of resources at the back of the book. Themes about family relationships and mental health make this book a good, but challenging read. Recommended for YA fiction collections where historical fiction is popular.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.