Ai Shi, whose American name is Anna, moves from Taiwan to the United States in 1980 after her parents purchase a fast food restaurant in Los Angeles County. But nothing in “the beautiful country” is as she imagined, or as her parents hoped, it would be. Her father quickly realizes the former owner of the restaurant had greatly exaggerated its success and popularity—but it’s all they have. They are unable to afford a car, making it nearly impossible to build community with fellow Chinese and Taiwanese immigrants. The people at church are unfriendly and look down on them for their work, and Anna is teased at school for a multitude of reasons. Worse, the restaurant is vandalized, putting the family in even greater financial straits. But the stress and misery of their first year in America slowly give way to modest hope. Ma, Ba, and Anna find true friends in one of the restaurant’s white cashiers and her family; and the restaurant gains customers (and better food) when Ma decides to add some of her Chinese recipes to the menu. While Anna’s family experiences hardship and sadness, this novel in verse offers a realistic portrait of the peaks and valleys of starting over in a new place.  (Ages 9-12)

For fans of Jasmine Warga and Thanhhà Lại, this is a stunning novel in verse about a young Taiwanese immigrant to America who is confronted by the stark difference between dreams and reality.

Anna can’t wait to move to the beautiful country—the Chinese name for America. Although she’s only ever known life in Taiwan, she can’t help but brag about the move to her family and friends.

But the beautiful country isn’t anything like Anna pictured. Her family can only afford a cramped apartment, she’s bullied at school, and she struggles to understand a new language. On top of that, the restaurant that her parents poured their savings into is barely staying afloat. The version of America that Anna is experiencing is nothing like she imagined. How will she be able to make the beautiful country her home?

This lyrical and heartfelt story, inspired by the author’s own experiences, is about resilience, courage, and the struggle to make a place for yourself in the world.