This gripping, middle grade, historical fiction novel is a 2026 Newbery Honor Book. Chapters are brief and alternate between Han Yu in China, 731 and Luli in New York City, 1931. This format, along with the never-ending precariousness of Han Yu and Luli, keep the narrative clipping along and will bolt the middle grade reader (or adult reader) to their seat for the duration of the story. Han Yu and Luli’s stories are connected, but also parallel, which also highlights that although centuries separate people, the values, goals, and struggles are fundamentally similar. Outside and uncontrollable circumstances bring hardships, but resiliency and creativeness can overcome many of those circumstances, and family loyalty and love is a binding force.

This book will be enjoyed by historical fiction and adventure lovers alike, as there is plenty of action. Author Karina Yan Glaser’s voice will slip the reader right into the past and into Han Yu and Luli’s lives. This novel was one of my favorite reads from this year’s Newbery books.

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language: None

Violence/Gore: Ill-treatment of an animal by its owner; adult grabs arm, knocks down, and throws rock at boy, cutting face that leaves a scar; implied threat of harm; adult hits boy hard in the ear; adults whips boy across back with a rope; adult kicks animal; animal kicks character; animal bites character and character kicks it; robbery with an assault on a character leaving them seriously injured, brief mention of blood and blood is seen on clothing and floor; verbal threats of harm to character and their family; adult grabs children and tries to forcibly take them away and a struggle ensues with tackling, hitting, birds attacking, etc.

Sex/Nudity: None

Mature Subject Matter:

Epidemic/disease, Great Depression, economic distress/scarcity, assault, theft, illlness (family member).

Alcohol Drug Use:

None