Maizy Chen's Last Chance

Lisa Yee's Newbery Honor novel, 'Maizy Chen's Last Chance,' introduces readers to 12-year-old Maizy, who travels from California to the small town of Last Chance, Minnesota, to care for her ailing grandfather. There, she delves into the history of her family's Chinese restaurant, the Golden Palace, and unearths long-held secrets, including the challenging immigrant journey of her great-great-grandfather, Lucky. The narrative skillfully weaves together contemporary family drama, historical fiction, and a touch of mystery as Maizy investigates a missing family treasure and a racist note. This book is perfect for middle-grade readers aged 10-14, offering rich themes of cultural identity, family bonds, resilience, and standing up against injustice. It provides a thoughtful exploration of what it means to belong and the power of knowing one's heritage.

NEWBERY HONOR AWARD • NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST • ASIAN/PACIFIC AMERICAN AWARD FOR YOUTH LITERATURE WINNER • Twelve year-old Maizy discovers her family’s Chinese restaurant is full of secrets in this irresistible novel that celebrates food, fortune, and family. Welcome to the Golden Palace! Maizy has never been to Last Chance, Minnesota . . . until now. Her mom’s plan is just to stay for a couple weeks, until her grandfather gets better. But plans change, and as Maizy spends more time in Last Chance (where she and her family are the only Asian Americans) and at the Golden Palace—the restaurant that’s been in her family for generations—she makes some discoveries. For instance: You can tell a LOT about someone by the way they order food. And people can surprise you. Sometimes in good ways, sometimes in disappointing ways. And the Golden Palace has secrets. But the more Maizy discovers, the more questions she has. Like, why are her mom and her grandmother always fighting? Who are the people in the photographs on the office wall? And when she discovers that a beloved family treasure has gone missing—and someone has left a racist note—Maizy decides it’s time to find the answers. “Heartfelt, personal, and real—this book is a gift.” —TAE KELLER, Newbery Medal–winning author of When You Trap a Tiger