The Many Meanings of Meilan

A twelve-year-old girl moves with her grieving family from Boston's Chinatown to rural Ohio after her beloved grandmother's death. Upon starting at her new school, Meilan discovers that her name can be written with different Chinese characters, each giving it a new meaning. As Meilan navigates her new environment, she tries on different versions of herself that match the various meanings of her name - from "basket" to "graceful orchid" to "blue surge of the ocean." Her family members cope with their loss and changes in their own ways, leading to tensions and misunderstandings. Through Meilan's experiences at school and home, the story explores identity, family relationships, and the complexities of straddling multiple cultures. The novel incorporates Chinese characters and their meanings throughout the narrative, weaving together language, culture, and self-discovery.

Readers connect with Meilan's journey of self-discovery and cultural identity as she navigates a move to a new town. The story resonates particularly with children of immigrants and those experiencing transitions. Readers appreciated: - Exploration of Chinese names and their meanings - Authentic portrayal of intergenerational relationships - Balance of serious themes with moments of humor - Integration of Chinese culture and language Common criticisms: - Some found the pace slow in the middle sections - A few readers wanted more development of secondary characters - The magical realism elements confused younger readers Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (1,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (100+ ratings) Reader quotes: "Perfect for middle schoolers struggling with identity" - Goodreads reviewer "The name meanings woven throughout added depth to Meilan's character" - Amazon reviewer "Would have liked more interaction between Meilan and her classmates" - School Library Journal reader review

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🌺 The book's title character, Meilan, has multiple Chinese characters that could represent her name - each with its own meaning, including "basket," "grace," and "magnificent orchid." 🏫 Author Andrea Wang drew from her own experiences as a Chinese American growing up in Ohio to portray the challenges of navigating multiple cultural identities. 🎨 The novel incorporates traditional Chinese mythology, particularly the story of Chang'e (the Moon Goddess) and how it parallels Meilan's journey of self-discovery. 📝 Andrea Wang won the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature for her picture book "Watercress" before writing this middle-grade novel. 🗣️ The book explores the complexity of names and identity - how Meilan's name is frequently mispronounced at her new school as "May-lan" instead of "May-lahn," reflecting real challenges many Asian American students face.