Ly-Lan and the New Class Mix-Up (Ly-Lan Finds a Way #1)

Vietnamese eight-year-old Ly-Lan, who lives in Grapevine, Tex., is excited for third grade, during which she and her peers will sit at big desks and read big books and can eat lunch wherever they want in the cafeteria. (She and her best friend, redheaded Cece, even study a hand-drawn cafeteria map to plot where they’ll sit.) Ly-Lan knows everything will be perfect because she’s already prayed to Jesus for what she wants. But on the first day of school, Ly-Lan learns that she and Cece are in different classes and that cafeteria seats are assigned. What’s more, she’s expected to befriend new girl Quyên Lê, who is also Vietnamese and is still learning English. Though Ly-Lan has helped newcomers in the past, personal struggles with her faith and worries about what Cece is doing squash Ly-Lan’s typically generous nature. Lightly Christian messaging permeates a classic friendship story in which Ly-Lan learns that “God isn’t a genie” who grants wishes and that people can have more than one friend. Dinh (The Jade Bracelet) imbues Ly-Lan’s emotional journey with brightness and heart in this gentle series opener. A Vietnamese glossary concludes. Final art by Bishop (the Lily Lu to the Rescue series) not seen by PW. Ages 5–9. Author’s agent: Hannah VanVels Ausbury, Belcastro Agency. Illustrator’s agent: Mela Bolinao, MB Artists. (June)