Twelve-year-old Cici has just moved to Seattle from Taiwan, and the only thing she wants more than to fit in is to celebrate to A-má's 70th birthday together. Since she can’t go to A-má, Cici cooks up a plan to bring A-má to her and surprise her parents—by winning the grand prize in a kids’ cooking contest to pay for A-má's ticket!
There's just one problem: Cici only knows how to cook Taiwanese food. And after her pickled cucumbers are mistaken for worms at lunch, she's determined to cook something American. Channeling her inner Julia Child, she cooks her way closer to the prize money—that is until she starts to lose herself in the competition. But Cici can't let A-má down, even if it means combining her newfound American identity with the flavors of home.
Cici navigates the blending of her Taiwanese culture and her new American identity with heart and bravery. Measuring Up combines the popularity of MasterChef Junior with the immigration and identity struggles of American Born Chinese and the girl power of Roller Girl.
Full-color digital illustrations created with Adobe Photoshop.
Topics Taiwan. Seattle, Washington. Moving households. Immigration. Grandmothers and granddaughters. Cooking competitions. Research. Practice. Asian Americans. Taiwanese cooking. Friendship.
Lexile HL360L
Trim Size 8" x 5 1/2"
JLG Span Winter
Language English
Rights type Print
Publication date 2020-10-26
JLG Release Date Dec 2020
Minimum grade 5
Maximum grade 8
Reading level Middle
Format Print
Graphic Novels Middle Plus (Grades 5-8)
Graphic Novels Middle Plus
Graphic Novels Middle Plus (Grades 5-8)
For Grades 5-8
This 14-book collection features book-length graphic novels that bring stories to life through immersive visuals and compelling narratives. With a mix of humor, adventure, and thought-provoking themes, these selections provide an engaging reading experience that can turn even reluctant readers into eager ones.