I received a copy of Parachute Kids by Betty C. Tang from Scholastic Canada in exchange for an honest review.

It came as no surprise to me that Parachute Kids would become a favourite read of mine this year. I love middle grade graphic novels and then you make it an immigrant story about kids from Taiwan in America and I'm like, Yes, please, thank you very much.

In Parachute Kids, Feng-Li and her older sister and brother think that they have arrived in America just for vacation. Feng-Li is so excited about doing to Disney Land and writes home to her friends in Taiwan excitedly about her adventures. Little does she know, her vacation is about to be extended as her parents' plan all along is for the three siblings to stay in California with their mom as their dad heads back to Taiwan to continue working and making money. Feng-Li is devastated by her separation from her father but it becomes even worse when her mother also has to return to Taiwan as to not overstay her visa. The three siblings struggle with the day to day as well as the challenges that come with going to school in a country where you don't speak the language.

I laughed in this story. I found myself gasping aloud. I felt my heart break a little whenever Feng-Li was devastated. With each sibling, I found their stories to be so touching as they each experienced life in America differently from each other. Even in this trio of siblings, the immigrant experience was so unique and personal to each one of them. Parachute Kids is a story about growing up, about what happens when life throws curveball after curveball, and the strength and power that comes with family in the face of all trials and tribulations. I loved Parachute Kids and so will you if you are a fan of Front Desk, but make it siblings on their own in America n graphic novel form.