About Me and My Books
About Me
As a child, books meant freedom. If you could read in my kindergarten class, you were allowed to go to the library by yourself, and libraries were the loveliest freedom I could imagine. If I had a book, I had a companion for a long dinner with grown-ups. I could learn about anything, go anywhere, pretend to be anyone.
Favorite books from my childhood: the Little House books, the Great Brain books, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, and books by Ellen Conford and Judy Blume.
I live in northern Virginia, just outside of Washington, DC, with my husband, children, a cat and a dog. I love the New York Times Spelling Bee, good pens, and, of course, some gummi bears
now and then. I am a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, and the Megaphone Board of Shout Mouse Press, a nonprofit writing and publishing program dedicated to amplifying underheard voices.
Also, I have an incredibly loud and distinct laugh. I had a friend who I had not seen in over twenty-five years track me down in a grocery store because she heard my laugh.
The Secret Battle of Evan Pao
A fresh start. That’s all Evan Pao wants as he, along with his mother and sister, flee from California to Haddington, Virginia, hoping to keep his father’s notoriety a secret. But Haddington is a southern town steeped in tradition, and moving to a town immersed in the past has its own price. Although Evan quickly makes friends, one boy seems determined to make sure that as a Chinese American, Evan feels that he does not belong. When Evan finds a unique way to make himself part of the school’s annual Civil War celebration, the reaction is swift and violent. As all of his choices collide, Evan must decide whether he will react with the same cruelty shown to him, or choose a different path. Check out the discussion guide for EVAN from Scholastic.
“Explores how our lens of the past and present can change as we learn new information . . . Shang's timely story is full of realistic portrayals and powerful messages.”
—Booklist, starred review
“Sensitively portrayed . . . handles with nuance questions about how uncomfortable history can be approached in classrooms and communities. A thoughtful and timely read.”
—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“Told through a range of alternating perspectives, the thoughtfully rendered text explores with empathy the way the town navigates a Chinese American family’s arrival, and works in themes of community, justice, and trust through the past and present.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review
American Girl: Corinne
When the powder's fresh, Corinne snaps on her skis and takes a deep breath of crisp mountain air. She and her sister, Gwynn, have always called Aspen home, but moving in with their new stepdad, Arne, changes everything. Sure, there are perks -- like a fancy bedroom and a new puppy named Flurry whom Corinne trains to do search and rescue. Still, Corinne feels uncomfortable in her new family and hides the truth from her best friend, Cassidy. The facts finally come out in the most disastrous way, and Corinne runs to the only place left that feels like home. But when she becomes lost on the mountain, will her survival skills be
enough to save her?
American Girl: Corinne to the Rescue
In this second book in her series, Corinne Tan worries about how she'll keep up Flurry's training in the summer. Luckily, she meets a dog trainer named Kim who agrees to become her mentor if she and Flurry can master some new skills. But learning them turns out to be harder than Corinne expected because of interference from her sister, Gwynn. Corinne thinks moving into her own room is the answer--that is, until Mom shares a huge update that will change their family forever. Suddenly, their annual camping trip becomes Corinne's last hope for mastering new skills with Flurry. But when disaster strikes during the trip, Corinne and Flurry's training turns into a real rescue mission--with her family's
safety at stake.
The Great Wall of Lucy Wu
In this humorous and heartfelt debut about a split cultural identity, nothing goes according to plan for sixth-grader Lucy Wu. Lucy Wu, aspiring basketball star and interior designer, is on the verge of having the best year of her life. She's ready to rule the school as a sixth grader and take over the bedroom she has always shared with her sister. In an instant, though, her plans are shattered when she finds out that Yi Po, her beloved grandmother's sister, is coming to visit for several months, and is staying in Lucy's room. Her plans are ruined...or are they? As the Chinese saying goes: Events that appear to be good or bad luck often turn out to be quite the opposite. Lucy finds that while she may not get the perfect year she had in mind, she can create something even better.
"Lucy Wu may only be 4 feet tall, but she has big
(and brilliantly on-the-money kidlike) dreams" - Kirkus
Asian Pacific American Librarians Association, Children's Literature Award
Nine state reading lists
Bubble Trouble
Chloe is a neatnik at heart - from homework to her bedroom, color-coding and organizing makes Chloe happy! So how can one cup of boba make her life so messy? Not only should she be saving for the big school field trip (instead of buying the sweet confections), but boba also seems to lead her to the boy behind the boba counter, a family secret, and a feud with a mean girl at school! How will Chloe get out of this mess?
"Shang has developed a feast for the senses; anyone with a sweet tooth will rejoice at Chloe and Henry’s blossoming romance alongside abundant confectionary descriptions." - Publishers Weekly
Check out my one-minute booktalk!
WISH: A Recipe fo Adventure
In Rosas, the land of wishes, all dreams can come true. As castle baker, Dahlia strives to make the most perfect and delicious confections for the kind and handsome king. But things get stirred up when Dahlia's best friend, Asha, discovers that all may not be as perfect as she believed.
In this retelling and expansion of the Disney movie WISH, Dahlia is whisked up into an adventure of a lifetime. She must sift through her thoughts and feelings--weighing her loyalty to her best friend, her crush on their sorcerer-king, and her own dream to be the best baker in the world.
Check out the link to the trailer! Can you spot Dahlia?
The Way Home Looks Now
Twelve-year-old Peter Lee and his family are baseball lovers, who bond over back lot games and talk of the Pittsburgh Pirates. But when tragedy strikes, the family flies apart and baseball no longer seems to matter. Is that true? Peter wonders if just maybe the game they love can pull them together and bring them back, safe at home.
"This is a fine story of family, loss, growing up and learning to play baseball, raised to a higher level by gracefully incorporated themes of feminism and kindness."
- Kirkus, starred review
Junior Library Guild selection
BookPage Best of the Year selection
This is Just a Test
David Da-Wei Horowitz has a lot on his plate. He would have enough to do preparing for his upcoming bar mitzvah even if the planning didn't involve trying to please both his Jewish and Chinese grandmothers, who argue about everything. They even have a cook-off battle of the latkes. But David just wants everyone to be happy. That includes his friend Scott, who is determined to win their upcoming trivia tournament but doesn't like their teammate and David's best friend Hector. Scott and David begin digging a fallout shelter just in case this Cold War stuff with Russia turns south, but David's not so convinced he wants to spend forever in an underground bunker with Scott anymore. Maybe it would be better if Hector and Kelli Ann came with them. But that would mean David has to figure out how to stand up for Hector and talk to Kelli Ann first. Some days, surviving nuclear war feels like the least of David's problems.
Giggle-inducing, light, and charmingly realistic fiction that will resonate with a wide variety of readers.
- School Library Journal, starred review
Junior Library Guild selection
Sidney Taylor Honor Book
Not Your All-American Girl
Lauren and her best friend, Tara, have always done absolutely everything together. So when they don't have any classes together in sixth grade, it's disastrous. The solution? Trying out for the school play. Lauren, who loves to sing, wonders if maybe, just maybe, she will be the star instead of Tara this time.But when the show is cast, Lauren lands in the ensemble, while Tara scores the lead role. Their teacher explains: Lauren just doesn't look the part of the all-American girl. What audience would believe that she, half-Jewish, half-Chinese Lauren, was the everygirl star from Pleasant Valley, USA? From amidst the ensemble, Lauren tries to support her best friend. But when she can't bring herself to sing anymore, her spot in the play and her friendship are in jeopardy. With the help of a button-making business, the music of Patsy Cline, and her two bickering grandmothers, can Lauren find her voice again? Acclaimed coauthors Madelyn Rosenberg and Wendy Wan-Long Shang return to the 1980s world of Sydney Taylor Honor Book This Is Just a Test with this laugh-out-loud coming-of-age story.
PJ Our Way Selection
2021 Cooperative Children's Book Center Best of the Year
Over the Moon Novelization
Based on the Netflix original animated film, this illustrated novel retells the story of Over the Moon and includes original concept art!
When Fei Fei's father gets ready to remarry, Fei Fei decides she must journey to the moon to bring back proof of the legendary goddess Chang'e and evidence of true love. What she discovers when she arrives is so much more than what she expects, and Fei Fei discovers she will need her friends and courage to return home.
The Rice in the Pot
"The Wheels on the Bus" is remade into a joyous celebration of food, laughter, and love of a multigenerational family meal! Includes back matter on terms for family, Chinese food and etiquette.
Artfully brings an authentic expression of family love...an utterly charming [twist] to a familiar tune. -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review