Cilla Lee-Jenkins: This Book Is a Classic

A parent might reach for this book when their child is trying to understand their place in a multiracial family or struggling with the complex emotions of a shifting friendship. Cilla Lee-Jenkins is a spunky and imaginative girl who has decided her next literary masterpiece will be a Classic. The book humorously chronicles her adventures: preparing to be a flower girl, trying to be “more Chinese” for her grandmother, and dealing with jealousy when her best friend starts spending time with someone else. This story gently explores themes of cultural identity, friendship dynamics, and family love through the eyes of a funny, relatable protagonist. It’s an excellent choice for early chapter book readers who will see their own big feelings reflected and normalized in Cilla's dramatic, heartfelt, and hilarious world.