Maizy Chen is not thrilled to hear that she and her mother are leaving LA for the summer to live in a place called Last Chance. The small town with a population of less than 5,000 doesn't sound like a lot of fun compared to all the things Maizy could do if they stayed at home. In addition to living in this tiny, and most likely boring town, they will be living with Maizy's grandparents who have only visited LA once and seemed to hate it.
It's no surprise that the Golden Palace is the only Chinese restaurant in Last Chance, Minnesota. It has been owned by Maizy's relatives for 100 years. Now it's her grandparents who run the business, but Opa's health is failing so Maizy's mother has decided to help out. Maizy doesn't even know how to use chopsticks, but she will be expected to pitch in at the restaurant as well as babysit for her ailing grandfather.
What Maizy learns during her stay in Last Chance opens her eyes about many things. She learns that prejudice is alive and thriving when it comes to the attitudes about Chinese Americans. She learns that her mother and grandmother have a relationship filled with tension that she doesn't really understand. She learns her grandfather is a good poker teacher and is full of stories about a man named Lucky who made everything in Last Chance possible for her family. And, she does learn how to use chopsticks.
Author Lisa Yee presents a story within a story inspired by her own grandparents' journey that is sure to keep readers cheering for Maizy and eagerly turning pages to learn about the Chen family history. Full of quirky characters, tasty Chinese dishes, and lots of love MAIZY CHEN'S LAST CHANCE should be in every middle grade classroom and library.
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