Wang’s memoir tells the gripping story of her childhood as an undocumented Chinese immigrant living in New York City. It’s told from the perspective of her young self. Done this way, this memoir juxtaposes Wang's inherent childhood innocence--the innocence children possess regarding lack of knowledge and world experience--with the harsh realities she experiences. Told this way, the racism and challenges her family faces—work in sweatshops, cockroaches in their shared kitchen, language barriers, a Secret Santa at school where Qian's gift is one much less expensive than the $10 limit—are particularly stark. Yet, even as a child, the terrifying undercurrent of deportation still affects her. It’s a constant threat and heightens the emotions and tension throughout the narrative.

Wang’s memoir is immersive—you can virtually hear the click of the cockroaches with her vivid description—and you can feel when her innocent joy is trampled. Her use of Chinese and childhood terms of endearment help with this authenticity as well.

I loved this memoir. Its ultimate juxtaposition--America known as a "beautiful country" versus the realities and racism Wang and her family faced coming here is hard to read about (by a progressive white women like me!), but also a call to do better. I'm so amazed at how she triumphed with education and becoming a writer. Everyone needs to read this, learn from it, and take action to make our country do better.