The Xia Stories #3 - by Bonnie Shao (Paperback)

About the Book

Xia Luoman/Julia Xia is the only person in her family who has both a Chinese and an English name. When she travels to China, she finds that she must reconcile her two identities or witness the divide within herself break her family apart.

Book Synopsis

Chinese Xia Luoman or American Julia Xia? Having two names is a lot more complicated than it seems.

Twelve-year-old Xia Luoman/Julia Xia, the youngest member of the Xia family, is the only person in her Chinese family who has both a Chinese and an English name. And though she has never felt close to either China or America, Luoman knows that being a Xia would be much easier if she could just call herself Chinese. Although, how can she be part of a place that she only visits each summer...a place to which, three years ago, she swore to never return? But when Julia's parents force her and her brother to visit China over February break, Luoman must reconcile her Chinese and American identities or witness the divide within herself break her family apart.

Twelve years after the events of The Summer of Someday Dreams, the "newest edition" of the Xia family is here to tell one last story.

Review Quotes

"This is one of my favorite books not only because of the humor, but also because of how [Luoman/Julia] deals with navigating a new country, her family, new friends, and ways to communicate her feelings. I enjoyed every minute of reading, and if you want a relatable character as a teenager, then this book is definitely for you!" -Detailed Draft Editorial

"This book was such a good read-full of humor, complicated relationships, and characters you can't help but root for. [Luoman/Julia's] experiences trying to find belonging and express her emotions as a teenager are something that will resonate with everyone. The protagonist tells her story of attempting to fit into a new place and find her identity in the process, while dealing with a messy family relationship, feelings that people everywhere can relate to." -Reader

"Family Abridged was a really enjoyable story about conflicting cultures; as a half-Korean immigrant, I related immensely to Luoman's internal conflict between her Chinese heritage and American identity." -Reader

"This book was so well written! It's a must-read for middle-to-high schoolers, as I believe many can relate. I've read many books written by young people and this one is the best. It is definitely a page-turner and I enjoyed every chapter." -Reader