I LOVED THIS. I loved how it showed micro aggressions and the pressures kids can put themselves under because of their parents and society. And you learn so much about Vietnamese culture! I loved it.

I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have been wanting to introduce my Asian daughter to more books by Asian authors featuring Asian characters. This book fit that criteria and also provided so much more- great characters, close knitted family dynamic and celebration of Asian cultures. The story was also fresh, sweet and captivating. It touched on more serious topics, such as racism, and also lighter subjects such as making delicious Vietnamese food (I love banh xeo, what my daughter calls Vietnamese omelet crepe ).

We cannot wait to read more of the Nyuyen Kids' family adventures in book 2 and 3.

I received an electronic ARC from Annick Press Ltd through NetGalley.
Readers meet a Vietnamese/Canadian family in Trinh's first book for this series. Anne and her family have recently lost her grandmother. The book opens with them offering food at their ancestors altar for the new moon. It's an interesting representation of their life in Canada merged with their Vietnamese heritage. I appreciate how Trinh shares information about their heritage as part of their story. When Anne's aunt gives her the jade bangle her grandmother wore, she discovers she can talk with and see her grandmother. It is after her death that her grandmother teaches her how to make Vietnamese food. Anne works hard to learn and create foods for her family and her ancestors. Readers see the triumphs and the less than successful attempts, and will connect to the reality of experiences like this.
Sadly, readers also see how racism weaves into their lives. Anne's dance teacher uses unacceptable language to refer to Anne's heritage. Her generalizations are hurtful and damaging as Anne struggles to figure out who she is. Trinh takes this on and does not shy away from capturing what is said and how it makes Anne feel. Anne finds the courage to speak up for herself and then share what has happened with her parents. This, in turn, leads to them sharing their own memories of coping with racist behaviors.
The story finishes on a positive and loving note to set up future books in the series.

I loved this book. It was an amazing Canadians children’s story. I loved how family and culture was at the forefront of this book! The illustrations also helped to bring the very important message to life.

This is the book I wish I had growing up! I'm so glad Vietnamese kids can see themselves, their families, and cultures represented in books. Trinh tackles topics such as grief and loss, microaggressions, and racism with lots of care and in ways that are fitting for Anne's age and the reading audience. I loved all the cooking Grandma Nội and Anne did together as it allowed Anne to better understand her grandmother's and parents' lives as well as the choices they've made for their family. The illustrations throughout the book are simple and highlight key conversations or points in the chapter. Finally, I enjoyed getting to know the Nguyen family through the descriptions at the end. This was a great start to the series and I cannot wait for Liz's and Jacob's stories.

The Secret of the Jade Bangle is an engaging and empowering illustrated chapter book for grade school age readers by Linda Trinh and the first book in the Nguyen Kids series. Due out 18th Oct 2022 from Annick Press, it's 128 pages and will be available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook formats.

This is such a fun and respectfully written book which will engage, entertain, and inform young readers. Despite the action filled plot (Anne really loves ballet but just wants to not be treated differently by her ballet teacher and the other students), the author manages to delve into deeper and meaningful themes such as integration and isolation, respect for culture, honesty, integrity, dealing constructively with racism, activism, and family in an age-appropriate manner.

The art by Clayton Nguyen is expressive and colorful and is full of small details which invite readers to take a closer look and really think about the concepts being expressed.

Five stars. Representation is important for *everyone*. Highly recommended for public and school library acquisition, home library use, reading circles and similar. This is a great kids book for -all- kids whatever their ethnicity, background, or sex.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Anne is an absolutely delightful character who is a breath of fresh air in book one of this early chapter book series by Linda Trihn. She's spunky and full of imagination and creativity, which she needs when the spirit of recently passed Grandma Nội, appears with a request for more traditional Vietnamese offerings to the departed ancestors. At the same time, Anne is faced with challenges by her ballet instructor that leave her questioning her heritage and feeling badly about who and where she is from. Anne resolves her challenges with independence, creativity, and a little help from Grandma Nội, Anne is a girl that every young person should get to know, and I particularly love the ways in which children will be able to relate to her, while also learning something new about Vietnamese culture. I love that this book helps readers think about the importance of standing up for oneself, speaking out, and pushing back against racism.

Clayton Nguyen's black and white illustrations bring Yasmin's big personality to life.

This is a must-read, and would be an excellent addition to elementary libraries. I'm ordering copies for my classroom library and cannot wait to introuduce readers to Anne and her siblings.

Thank you to Linda Trinh, Annick Press and NetGalley for this ARC.

This early chapter book is part of a 3 book series, all coming out in 2022 and 2023. Each of the three books focuses on a child in the Nguyen family who receives a magical item from their grandmother. In this story, Anne, the eldest child, receives a Jade Bangle. The books are written by a Vietnamese-Canadian from Winnipeg (where I live!) who understands the challenges young children may face growing up as part of a minority culture in Canada. The books tackle issues like microaggressions, stereotypes and racism as well as exploration of one's identity, in a way that is accessible and relatable for young readers.

As an early chapter book, this novel contains 14 chapters, with about 7 pages per chapter. There are full page pictures, usually at least 1 per chapter, as well as a few partial page pictures along with text. Full pages of text are in an accessible size of font, with about 100 words per page. As a grade 3 teacher, I would recommend this book to children in grades 2-5, with a target audience probably being about Grade 3. I could definitely see my students reading this book and would definitely recommend it to other teachers in my grade range. I love that the characters are Vietnamese and that the issues approached in this series are common for IBPOC children. It is important for children to see themselves in the books they are reading, and going further to address issues related to racism is even more valuable. Additionally, being written by a Canadian author and set in Winnipeg, this is also a great opportunity for Canadian families and teachers to support a local author. I will definitely be buying a set of this series for my classroom once they are officially published! Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this wonderful book!

This is a beautiful book for children that touches upon not only the feelings of not belonging, being a good friend, and family traditions- but also tough topics such as speaking up and racism.

The storyline was deep and heartfelt that led to many scenes of feeling love and heartbreak for the characters. The illustrations are beautiful and soft to match the essence of Anne and her family.

Thank you NetGalley and Annick Press for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

The Secret of the Jade Bangle is a lovely short chapter book for young people. The main character is of Vietnamese descent although thoroughly American, having been born in the United States. Her beloved Grandma Nôi has recently passed away and Anne and her siblings miss her a great deal. They each are given special gifts that had belonged to their grandmother. Anne receives her beautiful jade bangle and soon realizes that it has a secret power to make her grandmother appear to her. Grandma Nôi teaches Anne how to cook her wonderful Vietnamese dishes and gives her the strength to stand up for herself and her culture. The book is a gentle lesson in racial discrimination, perfect for young readers. It is also a reminder that the love of those who are gone remains with us always. The book is the first in a series and I am so glad that this author has decided to write more in this vein. The illustrations are equally delightful.
Thank you to Linda Trinh, Annick Press and NetGalley for this ARC.

Admittedly, I don't know much about Vietnamese culture, but this book piqued that and made me want to learn more. These are written at an elementary grade level and include both cultural references and pop culture (relatable) references.