Review by Booklist Review
Yin serves up a pun-tacular ghost story in this tale of a Chinese American ghost-girl learning to haunt a school. Mimi receives steady coaching from her Chinese ancestors, but she isn't crazy about their outdated advice or the traditional gowns she's expected to wear. Mimi wants to dress like the cool ghouls, with their "haunt couture" and matching chains. Knowing her family won't approve, Mimi secretly makes a new ensemble out of spirit money, only to see her efforts ridiculed by the fancier phantoms. When the mean-girl ghosts' ringleader puts on one of Mimi's gowns to mock her, Mimi becomes enraged at the callous disrespect of her heritage. A growing sense of pride in who she is leads Mimi to haunt with confidence and gain some "ghoulfriends" in the process. Mimi emits an aqua glow as she drifts through crisp digital illustrations that bounce between her attic home (complete with ancestral shrine) and locker-lined school hallways. Her desire to fit in is easily relatable and gives her decision to stand up to bullies extra oomph.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2--Chinese American Mimi is getting ready to haunt a new school, and her ancestors have plenty to say about the proper attire and manners Mimi should have. Her old Chinese gowns come from her great-great-great-great-great-grandmother, and shemust make sure to have her hair covering her face. Mimi arrives at the school and she sees that some of the other American ghosts are wearing fun-looking sheets with chains. When Mimi tries to make her own gown, she arrives at school horrified to see that one of the ghosts has not only taken her traditional gown but is wearing it very wrong. The ghoul inside Mimi comes out as she tells the ghost how she really feels. Mimi discovers her pride in her ancestors and culture and gains unexpected ghoul-friends in the process. Each beautifully illustrated spread pulls readers into this ghostly world, which although full of specters, is similar to our own. Ethereal colors perfectly depict this otherworld, and the text excellently describes Mimi's world and conveys her thoughts and feelings as she considers her Chinese and American cultures. The school friendship scenarios will be familiar to many. VERDICT A luminous picture book that embraces the beauty of biculturalism.--Selenia Paz
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Timid Chinese American ghost Mimi wishes she looked like all the other ghosts. On the first day haunting a new school, she is ridiculed by the popular ghouls because of the "old-fashioned," traditional Chinese garb her relatives insist she wear. But when clique leader Lisette steals Mimi's look, Mimi stops being a "good Chinese girl ghost" and behaves like a very scary ghoul indeed -- all ending with an apology from Lisette that leads to new friendships. The text of this caught-between-two-cultures ghost story contains much wordplay ("It isn't long before Mimi and her ghoulmates model all kinds of haunt couture"), and the illustrations capture Mimi's early misery and later empowerment. Martha V. Parravano September/October 2022 p.47(c) Copyright 2022. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A young ghost finds her spooky flair. Mimi isn't looking forward to her first day of haunting a new school. Per all the proverbs and rules for "good Chinese girl ghosts" that her ancestors preach, Mimi is dressed and styled quite traditionally, wearing "old Chinese gowns from her great-great-great-great-great-ghost-grandmother." Her family doesn't want her to emulate American ghosts. But "Mimi is American--Chinese American." And the traditional "haunt couture" touted by her ancestors is "SO NOT GHOUL!" At school, Mimi feels she doesn't fit in with her ghoulmates, who cruelly taunt her. How can Mimi be a fearsome and horrifying ghost if she sticks out? Full of ghostly puns, this is a playful look at identity, culture, and new-student blues. Though the narrative and antagonism between characters are resolved a little too neatly, readers will root for Mimi as she embraces her bicultural identity in her own way. She contradicts the idea that "good Chinese girl ghosts are not permitted to show their feelings" by loudly standing up for herself and against dominant norms by finding confidence in her ancestral gowns. Her family applauds in pride, and her ghoulmates are inspired to broaden their views. Lui's digital illustrations are full of textures and layers, adding to the otherworldly motif. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A fun, ghostly spin on trading blending in for standing out. (Picture book. 5-8.) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
