A very different coming-of-age story, set in the Chinese-American community within Cupertino, CA. The stereotype for ABC (American born Chinese) kids- over-achievers pressured by parents to go into law, medicine, etc., and all of the stress it creates, is on display, but not in Daniel Tseng's family; his parents have embraced his talent as an artist, and have supported it all along.

However, Daniel's parents have a secret, a mystery Daniel uncovers in this slow reveal story. And Daniel is also coming to terms with who he is as well. The characters are well drawn, the writing is good. About the only complaint I had was that it was a little too long. The mystery is presented, and then dropped off the page until it's sort of needed again. I felt that while the conversations between the teen characters was fine, it could have been condensed and that would have moved the story along a little better.

In between Daniel's story is another story, written in second person, presented on a gray background. It takes place in China, and the reader eventually finds out who this person is as the story unfolds. It was heartbreaking for me, and I am sure it will be for others.