Maybe It's a Sign -- E. L. Shen, Hardcover

An uplifting middle-grade novel about loss, luck . . . and deep-dish chocolate chip cookies--perfect for fans of King and the Dragonflies and The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise.

Seventh-grader Freya June Sun has always believed in the Chinese superstitions spoon-fed to her since birth. Ever since her dad's death a year ago, she's become obsessed with them, and believes that her father is sending her messages from beyond. Like how, on her way to an orchestra concert where she's dreading her viola solo, a pair of lucky red birds appear--a sure indication that Dad wants Freya to stick with the instrument and make him proud.

Then Freya is partnered with Gus Choi, a goofy and super annoying classmate, for a home economics project. To her surprise, as they experiment with recipes and get to know each other, Freya finds that she may love baking more than music. It could be time for a big change in her life, even though her dad hasn't sent a single sign. But with the help of her family, Gus (who might not be so annoying after all), and two maybe-magical birds, Freya learns that to be her own person, she might just have to make her own luck.

In Maybe It's a Sign, E. L. Shen cooks up a deliciously voicey, comforting family story sweetened with a dollop of first romance, a dash of whimsy, and heaps of heart.

Author: E. L. Shen
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (Byr)
Published: 01/23/2024
Pages: 240
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.69lbs
Size: 8.60h x 5.64w x 0.65d
ISBN: 9780374390778
Audience: Ages 9-12

Review Citation(s):
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 12/01/2023
Kirkus Reviews 11/15/2023
Publishers Weekly 12/04/2023
Booklist 01/01/2024 pg. 70
Shelf Awareness 01/26/2024

About the Author
E. L. Shen is a writer, editor, and the author of The Comeback, Maybe It's a Sign, and The Queens of New York. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Barnard College of Columbia University, where she majored in English with a concentration in creative writing. Originally from upstate New York, she currently resides in Manhattan.