Wendy Wan-Long Shang

Madelyn Rosenberg

Sixth-graders Lauren and Tara have always done everything together so it is only natural that they both try out for their middle school musical play, about an "all-American" girl in 1958; Tara gets the lead role, as usual, because in the teacher's mind Lauren, half-Jewish and half-Chinese, does not fit the image of all-American girl--Lauren is hurt but resolved to support her friend, but her two grandmothers are furious and they intend to do something about it.

Not Your All-American Girl

renee badenoch

Really enjoyed this one. It’s about a Chinese Jewish American girl who despite having the best auditions, does not get cast in her school’s play because she’s told she “does not look like an All-American girl”. Her best friend gets cast as the lead instead, and has a frustrating cluelessness to why it’s a problem. 

The book has a slow and natural feel to it, especially in the main character’s racial awareness, identification, and politics are growing and changing over time. There’s not one lesson, there’s a lot of growth for her over time. 

A few side stories happen concurrently with the main story, and they give the book a warmth, and make the story feel complete. I loved the homage to Patsy Cline, and the two bickering grandmas who have different ways of raising the kids, but also fierce love and protection for them. 

I was surprised that the book talked so honestly about Vincent Chin’s murder, and its disregard by the police and courts. I loved the way that it led the characters in the book to challenge injustice and to question the systems that uphold them. I was not expecting it to be contained in a book for middle-schoolers, and am appreciative that it is.

Not Your All-American Girl

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