Lu and Ren's Guide to Geozoology - by Angela Hsieh

Book Synopsis

Perfect for fans of Studio Ghibli and The Tea Dragon Society, this beautiful graphic novel follows a girl who learns more about friendship and family as she journeys across the fantastical land of Lirrin to tend to its majestic animals.

Lu dreams of being a great adventurer, just like her ah-ma, who is a world-renowned geozoologist. Ah-ma has traveled far and wide, researching unique animals like dreamy cloud-jellies, enormous sunfish, and playful mossgoats. There's nothing Lu loves more than reading Ah-ma's letters about her quests, even if she and her mom struggle to understand the Cylian language Ah-ma writes in.

But when Ah-ma's letters suddenly stop, Lu becomes worried. So when a nearby town needs a geozoologist, Lu decides to go on the journey to find Ah-ma. She charts a course with the help of Ren, an old friend turned new travel buddy.

As they follow in Ah-ma's footsteps, Lu begins to discover the complex relationships between geofauna--and between people. What stories has Ah-ma never told her? And what's Ren hiding from her?

Review Quotes

"Delightfully imaginative. Clever. This smart, grounded, and gentle fantasy is a quiet standout." -- Booklist (starred review)

"A beautiful story of family and friendship set in a fantasy world. The two girls grapple with familial issues connected to expectations, language barriers, and loss. A charming story of relationships and fantastical discoveries." -- Kirkus Reviews

"Hsieh's lineless, colorful illustration brings a sense of whimsy to this tale. It feels both familiar, with its strong ties to Chinese culture and language, and at the same time, -magical and faraway, like a fairy-tale world. A sweet and fun romp through a magical countryside, steadied by a strong message of finding what truly makes one happy." -- School Library Journal