Cilla Lee-Jenkins: This Book Is a Classic by Susan Tan, Dana Wulfekotte
Published by Roaring Brook Press on March 27th 2018
ISBN: 1626725535
Pages: 272
Goodreads

Cilla Lee-Jenkins:  This Book is a Classic is the second book following the exploits of Cilla.  Cilla is a third grader from a biracial family who is an aspiring writer.  Cilla’s Auntie Eva is getting married, so she tries to make herself more Chinese in time for the wedding.  Cilla has other problems to deal with besides the wedding with learning how to be a good big sister, deciding what to do about her best friend also being friends with someone else, and liking animals despite Chinese people not liking animals (she thinks).  Readers will learn about Chinese customs and traditions along with some vocabulary in a fun interesting manner presented by Cilla. Cilla’s observant, curious nature provides a third grader’s look at the struggle of blending families/traditions/cultures, jealousy in friendships, and change.  The novel is interspersed with pencil sketches which bring an increased understanding to the situation on the pages. Readers from ages 7-10 who have a new younger sibling, are biracial, or who are aspiring authors may relate to Cilla and enjoy this book. Parents and teachers may find this a fun read aloud providing multiple opportunities to discuss family dynamics, being a good friend, stereotypes, and even literary devices.  Cilla is a positive role model with good morals who realizes that some changes can be nice.

Reviewed by Heather Hale, Easton School Department, Easton