NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR by the New York Public Library • Kirkus Reviews • Booklist • Publishers Weekly
Tiến loves his family and his friends…but Tiến has a secret he's been keeping from them, and it might change everything. An amazing YA graphic novel that deals with the complexity of family and how stories can bring us together.Real life isn't a fairytale.
But Tiến still enjoys reading his favorite stories with his parents from the books he borrows from the local library. It's hard enough trying to communicate with your parents as a kid, but for Tiến, he doesn't even have the right words because his parents are struggling with their English. Is there a Vietnamese word for what he's going through?
Is there a way to tell them he's gay?
A beautifully illustrated story by Trung Le Nguyen that follows a young boy as he tries to navigate life through fairytales, an instant classic that shows us how we are all connected.
The Magic Fish tackles tough subjects in a way that’s accessible for readers of all ages, and teaches us that no matter what—we can all have our own happy endings.
On sale: October 13, 2020
Age: 12 and up
Grade: Grade 7 & Up
Page count: 256 Pages
ISBN: 9780593125298
Reading level: Lexile: HL400L | Fountas/Pinnell: Z
Trung Le Nguyen, also known as Trungles, is a comic book artist and illustrator working out of Minnesota. He received his BA from Hamline University in 2012, majoring in Studio Art with a concentration in oil painting and minoring in Art History. He has contributed work for Oni Press, BOOM! Studios, Limerence Press, and Image Comics. He is particularly fond of fairy tales, kids' cartoons, and rom-coms of all stripes.
The Magic Fish is his debut graphic novel.
A Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books 2020 Blue Ribbon Selection“
[A] gorgeously drawn…story of a first-generation Vietnamese American who is struggling with coming out to his parents.” —
Forbes“
A sparkling debut…about the child of Vietnamese immigrants who teaches through fairy tales—yet wrestles with how to come out to his family.”
—The Washington Post"
Infused with emotional depth and integrity, this coming-of-age story broadens the range of Vietnamese American creative voices in books for young people.” —
The Horn Book, Starred Review
“
Warm, loving family and friends are a refreshing alternative to immigrant stories that focus on family problems. Beautifully illustrates how sharing old stories can be the best way to learn how to share new ones.” —
Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
“
The magic happens here on every page, the perfection personified by debut author/artist Nguyen’s autobiographical homage to the infinite power of storytelling.” —
Booklist, Starred Review
“Nguyen’s poignant debut captures the perspectives of, and essence of the bond between, a parent and child, proving that
language—and love—can transcend words.” —
Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
“How do you tell stories within stories within stories? Ask Trung Le Nguyen, who
seamlessly blends family history, fairy tales, and a 1998 coming-out tale in this remarkable intergenerational graphic novel.” —
The Bulletin, Starred Review
