In this prequel to the popular Shu-Li chapter books Shu-Li and Tamara and Shu-Li and Diego, celebrated author Paul Yee brings young readers further adventures of Shu-Li, just as she moves into her new home on Commercial Drive in Vancouver, British Columbia. She has trouble adjusting to her new neighborhood but finds surprising help from a "magic" pear tree in the back garden.
“A lovely read in the Shu-Li series that provides diversity and celebrations of heritage for young readers. Wang’s inked illustrations are engaging and lovable, flowing beautifully with the story with restrained candor.”
"Yee's grasp of childhood delights and the diversity of characters and cultures are a winning combination…Readers will also appreciate that the story is grounded in reality—the children begin to rely on their own resourceful problem-solving—as it deftly weaves in myth, fairy tales, and oral folklore. Wang's inked illustrations are engaging and lovable, flowing beautifully with the story with restrained candor. A lovely read in the Shu-Li series that provides diversity and celebrations of heritage for young readers."
“The ethnic and economic diversity of Shu-Li’s neighborhood and school is highlighted textually and in Wang’s frequent black-and-white line drawings.”