The Many Masks of Andy Zhou

SEPTEMBER
Like an Ant, Probably
Andy, did you hear me? Baba s eyes flick up in the rearview mirror. He switches to English. You always look like thinking. What you thinking about?
Nothing, I say, and stare out the window again. A motorcycle zooms by at full speed, weaving in and out of the freeway traffic.
Baba flips back to Shanghainese. I was saying, you know how difficult these past years have been for Hao Bu and Ah Dia. You have to help them, okay?
Help them with what?
With whatever they need, says Mama from the front passenger seat. It s a different lifestyle here. Let s make their stay comfortable for them.
Baba nods. Ever since your ah dia little boy, his dream visit America. We have show he and Hao Bu best American time. Baba s eyebrows go up in the mirror. Xiaolei, you can make sign with they name! Have airport name sign for Hao Bu and Ah Dia see!
Don t people only do that for strangers?
Andy, come, my dad says in his don t-argue-with-me voice. Be a good grandson, okay?
Mama twists around and hands me her tablet. I open the drawing app, which still has my doodle from the last time Cindy and I hung out. I clear the screen.
Let s wait until they re settled first, says Baba, picking up their conversation from before.
You think they ll agree?
Ma might. But Ba you know that older generation. They don t really trust doctors.
You re going to miss the exit.
Baba clicks on the turn signal. We ll take it step by step.
I look up from the blank screen.
Mama, Baba, I don t know Hao Bu and Ah Dia s names.
We pull into International Arrivals. Lines of cars are wait-ing already, parking lights red in the echoey underpass. My dad and I go through the spinning glass doors while my mom waits in the car that way we don t get a ticket.
Ma, where are you! Baba s shouting into his phone. His voice gets deeper and louder when he s on it, like he s making up for the tiny microphone holes. We re just outside the baggage claim! he

Jack Cheng is a Shanghai-born, Detroit-based author of critically acclaimed fiction for young readers. His debut middle grade novel, See You in the Cosmos, won the Golden Kite and Great Lakes, Great Reads awards. Jack has visited schools across the globe speaking with students about finding their paths as writers and artists. He is a 2019 Kresge Artist Fellow.

* A New York Public Library Best Book of the Year *

This book sings with beautiful writing and rich detail. Seeing Andy come into his own is a joy and a journey. Tae Keller, Newbery Award-winning author of When You Trap a Tiger

The Many Masks of Andy Zhou is a brilliant, heartfelt story of self-discovery. Andy faces challenges that Cheng deftly tackles without ever weighing down the story or pausing its momentum. . . . Complex, earnest, [and] authentic. Shelf Awareness (starred review)

There s an aching poignancy [here]. This moving novel about self-discovery will resonate with kids navigating the shifting waters of middle school. BCCB

"Cheng s comedic timing and poignant use of metaphor make it easy to picture Andy s anxiety and self-consciousness, [and] rich descriptions abound of Andy s Chinese and Jameel s Chaldean cultures . . . A beautiful, contemplative novel that will stay with readers. Recommended for fans of Erin Entrada Kelly and Nicole Melleby." School Library Journal

This thoughtful novel beautifully and naturally depicts Chinese American family life and the first year of middle school. [It] explores necessary topics and productively packages them in a great story about friendship, forgiveness, and family. Common Sense Media

Readers will find a friend in Andy a kind-hearted kid trying to find his footing while caring for those around him. Andy contains multitudes, like all of us. Another beautiful book by Jack Cheng. Erin Entrada Kelly, Newbery Award-winning author of Hello, Universe

"Beautifully written and contemplative, [full of] complexity and nuance." Book Riot

Andy s quiet courage and budding artistry have readers cheering him on as he searches to define himself and learns there are no boundaries to who we are and who we can become. With honesty and gentle humor, Jack Cheng explores the joys and heartaches of growing up.