Maizy Chen's Last Chance - by Lisa Yee

Book Synopsis

Packed with surprises, heart, and stories within stories, this irresistible novel from an award-winning author celebrates food, fortune, and family.

Welcome to The Golden Palace!

Maizy has never been to Last Chance, Minnesota . . . until now. Her mom's plan is just to stay for a couple weeks, until her grandfather gets better. But plans change, and as Maizy spends more time in Last Chance (where she and her family are the only Asian Americans) and at the Golden Palace--the restaurant that's been in her family for generations--she makes some discoveries. For instance:
- You can tell a LOT about someone by the way they order food.
- And people can surprise you. Sometimes in good ways, sometimes in disappointing ways.
- And the Golden Palace has secrets.

But the more Maizy discovers, the more questions she has. Like, why are her mom and her grandmother always fighting? Who are the people in the photographs on the office wall? And when she discovers that a beloved family treasure has gone missing--and someone has left a racist note--Maizy decides it's time to find the answers.

"I love this book. This is a big story and brings up much-needed discussion about the importance of community, history, and truth." --Rita Williams-Garcia, Newbery Honor-winning author of One Crazy Summer

Review Quotes

Praise for Maizy Chen's Last Chance

"Heartfelt, personal, and real--this book is a gift. Readers will cheer and feel for Maizy as she bonds with her grandparents, discovers the joys and pains of growing up, and learns about her family's Chinese American history." --Tae Keller, Newbery-winning author of When You Trap a Tiger

"Bursting with humor and heart, Maizy Chen's Last Chance celebrates the power of food, family, understanding our roots, and stepping up to help others when it mattersthe most." --Kate Messner, New York Times bestselling author of Breakout and Chirp

"I love this book. This is a big story and brings up much-needed discussion about the importance of community, history, and truth." --Rita Williams-Garcia, Newbery Honor-winning author of One Crazy Summer

About the Author

Lisa Yee is the award-winning author of Millicent Min, Girl Genius; Stanford Wong Flunks Big-Time; So Totally Emily Ebers; Absolutely Maybe; and many other books, including the DC Super Hero Girls novel series and numerous American Girl books. Lisa is a third-generation Chinese American. She says, "I wrote Maizy Chen's Last Chance as a tribute to my grandparents and to all the immigrants who made the journey to America." Lisa divides her time between Western Massachusetts and Los Angeles.