Lucy and Linh

Reviewed by: Sheila Dube - Springvale Public Library, Springvale, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: December 13, 2016

Review

Recommending for Cream consideration. Lucy and her family are Chinese immigrants who escaped to Australia from Vietnam when she was younger. In writing letters to Linh, Lucy explains the pressures and new experiences that she must navigate as she becomes the newest ethnic scholarship winner to the prestigious girl's school Laurinda. At home, Lucy supports her non- English speaking seamstress mother by watching her baby brother and at school, she slowly becomes pulled into the unhealthy, three member, mean-girl clique called The Cabinet. Pung brings each girl's character deftly into focus through Lucy's sarcastic and honest observations. Lucy's self-awareness of her new judgements on her suburban family unit are harsh and at the same time, they challenge the token position her school mates want her to fulfill. Throughout the school year, the layers of Lucy and her relationship to Linh are revealed and the family life that seems lacking by Laurinda standards becomes the positive force that allows Lucy to be tested, survive and look to the future in appreciation.

Overall Book Score: excellent