Whether Jingwen and Yanghao are teasing, supporting, or bickering with each other, their relationship rings true. Frequent flashbacks to Jingwen’s younger years in his (unnamed) country of origin contribute to strong character and relationship development and to the satisfying conclusion. Written from Jingwen’s perspective, the text is augmented with humorous, often exaggerated black and blue spot and sequential paneled illustrations that offer a visual window into Jingwen’s experiences and emotions. Even if that means disobeying his mother’s rules while she’s working the night shift at a local bakery. Worried that assimilating into Australian culture means he’s forsaking his father’s memory, Jingwen latches on to the idea that if he can make all the cakes his father planned to feature on the menu of his dream bakery, Pie in the Sky, then everything will be okay. But guilt over his father’s accidental death festers. He knows life would be easier if he learned more English like his annoyingly chipper, too-loud, too-energetic little brother Yanghao. Having recently immigrated to Australia, 11-year-old Jingwen feels like he’s been dropped onto a strange planet full of gibberish-spouting aliens.
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