The Legend of Auntie Po

Mei bakes the tastiest pies in their Sierra Nevada logging camp, while her father, Hao, is a skilled chef. Not only is Mei a gifted baker, she is also a gifted storyteller about Auntie Po. Mei wants to go to school but cannot because she’s Chinese. Violence, arson, and crime erupt, and it’s all directed at the Chinese workers. Mei tells her Auntie Po stories to help navigate the trauma and struggles that go on.

I loved this graphic novel about the Chinese experience during a tumultuous time in history. It opened my eyes to a period in Californian history that I wasn’t too aware of. It made me research about the Chinese railroad workers in California during the Gold Rush. I love it when a good book elicits further reflection and learning. I appreciate how there are Chinese characters for whom Chinese is being spoken in the text. Even though the Chinese endured horrific violence, the violence in the book is very mild since it is geared toward middle grade readers. There was no sight of blood or physical violence. I wholeheartedly recommend this educational book to graphic novel enthusiasts and anyone who loves historical fiction.