Summer at Squee -- Andrea Wang, Hardcover

From Newbery Honor-winning author Andrea Wang, a new middle grade novel about a Chinese American tween who attends a Boston-based Chinese cultural overnight camp--and the many ways it transforms her.

Phoenny Fang plans to have the best summer ever. She's returning to Summertime Chinese Culture, Wellness, and Enrichment Experience (SCCWEE for short and "Squee" to campers in the know), and this year she's a senior camper. That means she; her best friend, Lyrica Chu; and her whole Squad will have the most influence. It almost doesn't matter that her brother is a CIT (counselor-in-training) and that her mom and auntie are the camp directors. Time spent at Squee is sacred, glorious, and free.

On the day Phoenny arrives, though, she learns that the Squad has been split up, and there's an influx of new campers this year. Phoenny is determined to be welcoming and to share all the things she loves about camp--who doesn't love spending hours talking about and engaging in cultural activities? But she quickly learns how out of touch she is with others' experiences, particularly of the campers who are adoptees. The same things that make her feel connected to her culture and community make some of the other campers feel excluded.

Summer at Squee turns out to be even more transformative than Phoenny could've imagined, with new friendships, her first crush, an epic show, and a bigger love for and understanding of her community.

Author: Andrea Wang
Publisher: Kokila
Published: 03/05/2024
Pages: 320
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.88lbs
Size: 8.35h x 5.59w x 1.34d
ISBN: 9780593111314
Audience: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 5.2
Point Value: 11
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 522251 / Summer at Squee


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 12/04/2023
Kirkus Reviews 01/15/2024
Booklist 02/09/2024

About the Author
Andrea Wang is the award-winning author of the picture books The Nian Monster (Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Honor), Magic Ramen (Freeman Book Award Honor), and Watercress (Caldecott Medal and Newbery Honor). Her debut middle grade novel is The Many Meanings of Meilan, which was featured on a recommended reading list from TODAY Show Read with Jenna. Andrea likes to write about family, food, and culture. She spent her childhood in Ohio and Boston and now lives in Colorado with her family.