Girl Giant and the Monkey King

"Girl Giant and the Monkey King" introduces Thom Ngoh, an 11-year-old Vietnamese-American girl grappling with immense, uncontrollable super strength and the desire to simply be normal. Her journey begins when she unwittingly releases the legendary Monkey King, a trickster deity from Chinese mythology, and makes a pact to help him recover his magical staff in exchange for losing her powers. This propels Thom into a vibrant, perilous world inspired by "Journey to the West," where she encounters dragons, demons, and celestial beings, all while navigating the everyday challenges of middle school, bullying, and a complex relationship with her single mother. The novel expertly blends high-stakes fantasy adventure with poignant themes of cultural identity, self-acceptance, and the true meaning of strength, making it a compelling read for children aged 8-12. Parents should be aware of themes of bullying, some fantasy violence, and a temporary separation from a parent.

From debut author Van Hoang comes a tale packed with magic, adventure, and middle-school woes—perfect for fans of Rick Riordan and Roshani Chokshi. Eleven-year-old Thom Ngoh is keeping a secret: she’s strong. Like suuuuper strong. Freakishly strong. And it’s making it impossible for her to fit in at her new middle school. In a desperate bid to get rid of her super strength, Thom makes a deal with the Monkey King, a powerful deity and legendary trickster she accidentally released from his 500-year prison sentence. Thom agrees to help the Monkey King get back his magical staff if he'll take away her strength. Soon Thom is swept up in an ancient and fantastical world in where demons, dragons, and Jade princesses actually exist. But she quickly discovers that magic can’t cure everything, and dealing with the trickster god might be more trouble than it’s worth.