{"product_id":"american-panda-9781481499118","title":"American Panda","description":"\u003ch2\u003eAbout American Panda\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"Weepingly funny.\" --\u003ci\u003eThe Wall Street Journal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e\"Delightful.\" --\u003ci\u003eBuzzFeed\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\"Charmed my socks off.\" --David Arnold, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eKids of Appetite\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eMosquitoland\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis critically acclaimed debut novel has earned four starred reviews for its incisive, laugh-out-loud exploration of Taiwanese American identity. Gloria Chao delivers a contemporary story about seventeen-year-old Mei, whose parents have mapped out her entire future: become a doctor, marry a Taiwanese Ivy Leaguer, and produce grandchildren.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Story\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMei is a freshman at MIT, having skipped fourth grade as part of her parents' master plan. Everything about her life appears perfect from the outside, but Mei harbors secrets that threaten to unravel her carefully constructed world. She hates germs, falls asleep during biology lectures, and has developed feelings for Darren Takahashi—a classmate who is decidedly not Taiwanese.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhen Mei reconnects with her estranged brother Xing, who was cut off from the family for dating outside their culture, she begins questioning whether maintaining her web of lies is worth the cost. Can she discover who she truly is before everything falls apart?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy Readers Love This Book\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAmerican Panda resonates with readers navigating the complexities of cultural expectations and personal identity. The novel authentically portrays the immigrant experience, examining the tension between honoring family sacrifices and pursuing individual happiness. Chao's humor balances the weight of these themes, creating a story that is both heartfelt and entertaining.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe book addresses universal coming-of-age themes—first love, family dynamics, and self-discovery—through a specific cultural lens that brings fresh perspective to young adult fiction. Mei's journey from people-pleaser to someone willing to define her own path offers a compelling narrative for anyone who has struggled with meeting expectations while staying true to themselves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCritical Acclaim\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe novel's four starred reviews highlight Chao's ability to tackle serious subjects with wit and compassion. From \u003ci\u003eThe Wall Street Journal\u003c\/i\u003e to \u003ci\u003eBuzzFeed\u003c\/i\u003e, critics have praised the book's authentic voice and its hilarious yet poignant examination of cultural identity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs Chao herself notes, \"unlike the panda, life isn't always so black and white\"—a theme that runs throughout this memorable debut.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eChao, Gloria:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e Gloria Chao is the critically acclaimed author of \u003ci\u003eAmerican Panda\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eOur Wayward Fate\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eRent a Boyfriend\u003c\/i\u003e. When she's not writing, you can find her with her husband on the curling ice or hiking the Indiana Dunes. She does not regret putting aside her MIT and dental degrees to write, and she is grateful to spend her days in fictional characters' heads instead of real people's mouths. Visit her tea-and-book-filled world at GloriaChao.Wordpress.com and find her on Twitter and Instagram @GloriaCChao.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Simon \u0026 Schuster Books for Young Readers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50680986304786,"sku":"9781481499118","price":8.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_5eeb4abb-1807-465e-ac9f-5d0df4578f7a.jpg?v=1733947080","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/american-panda-9781481499118","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}