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Ava Lin #1
Ava Lin: Best Friend
Brand-new first grader Ava Lin is determined to find a best friend—even if she’s a bit unclear on how to go about it—in this launch of a funny, super relatable chapter-book series.
Ava Lin is six and a half years old, and she loves bubble tea, finding treasures, and animals (note the 117 varieties of pets on her wish list). She’s very good at drawing and balancing pasta on her nose. And there’s a Very Exciting Thing happening in her life right now: tomorrow is her first day of first grade! Which means she gets a new backpack, new pencils, and a new lunch box. But what she really wants to get in first grade is a best friend, which isn’t as easy as she thought.
Ava’s quest has her navigating some confusing social rules, with unintentionally comical results—but she always manages to wriggle out of her mishaps in ways young readers will find very familiar. With an engaging text, humorous graphic panels, and black-and-white illustrations, Vicky Fang draws on her Chinese American family’s experience to create a heroine kids will instantly love.
Ava Lin is six and a half years old, and she loves bubble tea, finding treasures, and animals (note the 117 varieties of pets on her wish list). She’s very good at drawing and balancing pasta on her nose. And there’s a Very Exciting Thing happening in her life right now: tomorrow is her first day of first grade! Which means she gets a new backpack, new pencils, and a new lunch box. But what she really wants to get in first grade is a best friend, which isn’t as easy as she thought.
Ava’s quest has her navigating some confusing social rules, with unintentionally comical results—but she always manages to wriggle out of her mishaps in ways young readers will find very familiar. With an engaging text, humorous graphic panels, and black-and-white illustrations, Vicky Fang draws on her Chinese American family’s experience to create a heroine kids will instantly love.
92 pages, Hardcover
Published June 4, 2024
About the author
Vicky Fang
28 books44 followersVicky Fang is the author of the Layla and the Bots chapter books series, the Best Buddies early reader series, the I Can Code board book series, and the picture book Invent-a-Pet. She is the author-illustrator of Friendbots, AlphaBot, and the forthcoming Ava Lin and One Mad Cat series. A former Google product designer, she now writes and illustrates children’s books full-time. Vicky Fang lives in California. You can learn more at vickyfang.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
September 26, 2024
Ava Lin is determined to find a best friend when she starts first grade. She thinks that maybe one girl in her class might be a possible friend, but then they have a misunderstanding about a sparkly plastic jewel. Ava Lin just wants someone to hang out with and make beautiful notebooks, but somehow everything seems to go wrong. She gets a special pebble stuck in her ear. She finds some little treasures but leaves them in her pockets when her clothes go in the wash. She gets in trouble at lunch. Ava Lin thinks school is a big mess, but maybe she could still find a best friend.
This book is so adorable! I love how Ava Lin has her own weird way of thinking about things. It's exactly how little kids think. You need to hide something quickly but you don't have pockets? Instead of doing the sensible thing and asking a grown-up for help, you hide the item in your ear and get it stuck and have to go to the doctor to get it out. Naturally. Haha! This is how little kids end up doing wild things that make the grown-ups roll their eyes and sigh in exasperation.
I love the cute illustrations and fun designs in this book! This is perfect for new readers who are reading small chapter books on their own. Grades 1-3
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publishers in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts and are not influenced by anyone.
This book is so adorable! I love how Ava Lin has her own weird way of thinking about things. It's exactly how little kids think. You need to hide something quickly but you don't have pockets? Instead of doing the sensible thing and asking a grown-up for help, you hide the item in your ear and get it stuck and have to go to the doctor to get it out. Naturally. Haha! This is how little kids end up doing wild things that make the grown-ups roll their eyes and sigh in exasperation.
I love the cute illustrations and fun designs in this book! This is perfect for new readers who are reading small chapter books on their own. Grades 1-3
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publishers in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts and are not influenced by anyone.
August 20, 2024
This is the perfect book for those starting first grade, sharing Ava's experience and dealing with others (friendships, misunderstandings, family, community).
Easy to read with great font size and fun illustrations, including some pages with panels. Uplifting too in her search for a best friend.
Easy to read with great font size and fun illustrations, including some pages with panels. Uplifting too in her search for a best friend.
July 5, 2024
Really fun new series for readers new to chapter books. Ava Lin is funny, crafty, and sensitive.
October 8, 2024
New early chapter book for grades 1-3 that is sure to be popular. Told in short chapters with frequent sketches, Ava Lin is excited to start first grade and plans to meet her best friend forever right away, just like her older cousin did. Ava Lin does meet a girl who may be the one, but mistakes are made and need to be fixed and maybe, in time, the two will become best friends. Realistic storyline with simple message and a touch of humor and only 92 pages with plenty of white space and an easy to read font.
Thanks for sharing a print arc with arc-sharing group #BookAllies, Vicky Fang & Candlewick Press.
Thanks for sharing a print arc with arc-sharing group #BookAllies, Vicky Fang & Candlewick Press.
July 3, 2024
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central
Ava is very excited to be starting first grade, especially since her cousin Nikki, who is in fifth grade, met her very best friend when she was that age. Ava is well prepared, with two lunch boxes and a dress with pockets. She is excited about Spaulding Elementary and her teacher, Ms. Montgomery. She sits next to Kushi, who seems friendly enough. At lunch, Kushi offers her a delicious looking crunchy snack, but having seen how her parents act when they are offered something to try, she declines, even though she is disappointed. Later, Ava finds a small, sparkly jewel stuck to her chair, and puts it in her pocket. Because Kushi has been so nice, she offers the jewel to her, and is sad when her new friend actually accepts it. Of course, this means that Ava is able to have some crunchy snacks until Ms. Montgomery reminds them that there is a very strict no sharing policy. Ava likes small, exciting finds like snail shells and anything sparkly, and these often end up in her pockets. So does a crayon, and her mother decides that Ava has to wear a dress with no pockets to school. Of course, Ava finds a sparkly stone while the class is doing a mosaic art project. To keep it safe, she puts it in her EAR. This results in Ava's mother having to come get her and take her to the doctor to have the stone removed. Ava gets to wear pockets again, and is now friends with Kushi. She has yet to fully bedazzle her notebook, but she's working on it, and will be able to progress further in Ava Lin: One of a Kind, which is being published in January of 2025.
Ava is a very 2020's kind of gal; she's impetuous, fearless, and often acts without thinking. Her family reacts productively to her most of the time, and keeps her worst impulses in check. It's interesting to compare characters from the history of early chapter books; Haywood's 1930s era Betsy would be considered quite the prissy, too well behaved girl today, and Parks 1990s Junie B. Jones would probably have a diagnosis, medication, and a therapist! Ava is somewhere in the middle, and is a realistic, young character who is trying to figure out her life.
This is a very early chapter book, and perfect for readers who are the same age as Ava, and just starting to be able to hand more extended text. The black and white line drawings are expressive and help support text comprehension.
Ava would be a good friend to Hiranandani's Phoebe Green, DiCamillo's Bink and Gollie, and Manushskin's Katie Woo. I would love to read some of these with a first graders and see what they think of the different ways that children behave in books!
Ava is very excited to be starting first grade, especially since her cousin Nikki, who is in fifth grade, met her very best friend when she was that age. Ava is well prepared, with two lunch boxes and a dress with pockets. She is excited about Spaulding Elementary and her teacher, Ms. Montgomery. She sits next to Kushi, who seems friendly enough. At lunch, Kushi offers her a delicious looking crunchy snack, but having seen how her parents act when they are offered something to try, she declines, even though she is disappointed. Later, Ava finds a small, sparkly jewel stuck to her chair, and puts it in her pocket. Because Kushi has been so nice, she offers the jewel to her, and is sad when her new friend actually accepts it. Of course, this means that Ava is able to have some crunchy snacks until Ms. Montgomery reminds them that there is a very strict no sharing policy. Ava likes small, exciting finds like snail shells and anything sparkly, and these often end up in her pockets. So does a crayon, and her mother decides that Ava has to wear a dress with no pockets to school. Of course, Ava finds a sparkly stone while the class is doing a mosaic art project. To keep it safe, she puts it in her EAR. This results in Ava's mother having to come get her and take her to the doctor to have the stone removed. Ava gets to wear pockets again, and is now friends with Kushi. She has yet to fully bedazzle her notebook, but she's working on it, and will be able to progress further in Ava Lin: One of a Kind, which is being published in January of 2025.
Ava is a very 2020's kind of gal; she's impetuous, fearless, and often acts without thinking. Her family reacts productively to her most of the time, and keeps her worst impulses in check. It's interesting to compare characters from the history of early chapter books; Haywood's 1930s era Betsy would be considered quite the prissy, too well behaved girl today, and Parks 1990s Junie B. Jones would probably have a diagnosis, medication, and a therapist! Ava is somewhere in the middle, and is a realistic, young character who is trying to figure out her life.
This is a very early chapter book, and perfect for readers who are the same age as Ava, and just starting to be able to hand more extended text. The black and white line drawings are expressive and help support text comprehension.
Ava would be a good friend to Hiranandani's Phoebe Green, DiCamillo's Bink and Gollie, and Manushskin's Katie Woo. I would love to read some of these with a first graders and see what they think of the different ways that children behave in books!
July 19, 2024
Vicky Fang has created an engaging character in the opener to her new early chapter book series. Ava Lin is six and a half and about to start first grade. She’s got everything she needs – new backpack, new pencils and the ability to find treasure and to balance pasta on her. But Ava doesn’t know how you to make a best friend. Luckily Kushi, the girl who sits next to her is also hoping to make friends.
Things get complicated when Ava tries to hang onto her treasures by hiding them in her pockets (a crayon goes through the drier and mom is not happy) and then after mom makes her wear an outfit with no pockets she hides a special pebble in her ear requiring a trip to the doctor’s office (mom is really not happy). Happily, things work out alright in the end. Interactions between the kids are what you’d expect from a story about school, but the book really shines in the interactions between Ava and her family members.
The text print is large and clear on a white background. The book has twelve chapters that run about eight pages each, accompanied by black and white cartoon illustrations that help tell the story. Ava is Chinese American and other characters are illustrated with varying skin tones and hair colors. I was a little surprised that the book was not full color based on the vibrant cover and I’m not sure if some kids will be less attracted to the book because of that.
Vicky Fang lives in California but the book does not have specific California content.
This is a cute and funny beginning to a new early reader series featuring a Chinese American first grader and her family.
Things get complicated when Ava tries to hang onto her treasures by hiding them in her pockets (a crayon goes through the drier and mom is not happy) and then after mom makes her wear an outfit with no pockets she hides a special pebble in her ear requiring a trip to the doctor’s office (mom is really not happy). Happily, things work out alright in the end. Interactions between the kids are what you’d expect from a story about school, but the book really shines in the interactions between Ava and her family members.
The text print is large and clear on a white background. The book has twelve chapters that run about eight pages each, accompanied by black and white cartoon illustrations that help tell the story. Ava is Chinese American and other characters are illustrated with varying skin tones and hair colors. I was a little surprised that the book was not full color based on the vibrant cover and I’m not sure if some kids will be less attracted to the book because of that.
Vicky Fang lives in California but the book does not have specific California content.
This is a cute and funny beginning to a new early reader series featuring a Chinese American first grader and her family.
October 1, 2024
Sept 2024: Ava Lin - Best Friend!
Ava Lin is a 6½ year old girl, who is starting her First Grade (her Very Exciting Thing😁). She is excited about it and can't wait to find a best friend.
I've seen younger girls adore their elder siblings/cousins and they want to become like them (so important to show good examples). That's exactly what happens to Ava when she sees her 'cousin'. Nikki has a best friend and a cute notebook.
Ava does a lot of thinking and planning to achieve her target. Her focus is somehow helping her to adapt to the new school environment despite some mishaps here and there. I love Ava. She is a good girl, funny and pure. She gets to solve her problem calmly without panicking!
This book helps kids to write their daily journal. The bold illustrations and font size are enjoyable! The writing style indicates that Ava is a cool girl. I chuckled to see her mother struggle to hold her temper! I feel attacked!😤😂
So happy this book is out the same year my daughter is in Year 1. Earlier on, I was nervous about seeing her adjusting to school. Alhamdulillah, it went well and one of the happiness factors is her friends at school.
Anyway, this is the first book of a series by @fangmousbooks, I hope my girl will grow up together with Ava Lin🥰 Thank you #Pansing @definitelybookskids for this copy. This book is available at all good bookstores.
#avalinbestfriend #avalin #firstgrader #backtoschool #chapterbooks #childrenbooks #kidsbooks #vickyfang #candlewickpress #bookstagram #bookreview #readaloud #readtogether #malaysiamembaca #sarawakreads #malaysiabookstagram
Ava Lin is a 6½ year old girl, who is starting her First Grade (her Very Exciting Thing😁). She is excited about it and can't wait to find a best friend.
I've seen younger girls adore their elder siblings/cousins and they want to become like them (so important to show good examples). That's exactly what happens to Ava when she sees her 'cousin'. Nikki has a best friend and a cute notebook.
Ava does a lot of thinking and planning to achieve her target. Her focus is somehow helping her to adapt to the new school environment despite some mishaps here and there. I love Ava. She is a good girl, funny and pure. She gets to solve her problem calmly without panicking!
This book helps kids to write their daily journal. The bold illustrations and font size are enjoyable! The writing style indicates that Ava is a cool girl. I chuckled to see her mother struggle to hold her temper! I feel attacked!😤😂
So happy this book is out the same year my daughter is in Year 1. Earlier on, I was nervous about seeing her adjusting to school. Alhamdulillah, it went well and one of the happiness factors is her friends at school.
Anyway, this is the first book of a series by @fangmousbooks, I hope my girl will grow up together with Ava Lin🥰 Thank you #Pansing @definitelybookskids for this copy. This book is available at all good bookstores.
#avalinbestfriend #avalin #firstgrader #backtoschool #chapterbooks #childrenbooks #kidsbooks #vickyfang #candlewickpress #bookstagram #bookreview #readaloud #readtogether #malaysiamembaca #sarawakreads #malaysiabookstagram
April 11, 2024
Ava Lin is a creative first grader with a love of lists, unique pets, and found treasures. Kids will wish they could be her best friend as they read about her search for a best friend. Ava’s confidence as she enters first grade is refreshing, and her joy in all the small delights in life is contagious. Both parent and kid readers will relate to Ava’s struggle to learn the rules around sharing in different settings. There are wonderful funny moments when kid perspective clashes with adult perspective, and there’s plenty of humor in the illustrations as well (loved the “balding owl”). I predict this will become a new favorite, beloved chapter book series for young readers as more kids see themselves in this diverse cast of characters. I’m already looking forward to the next book in the series!
Read
January 6, 2024I’m always looking for more high quality early chapter books like this one to recommend to my first graders especially! Ava Lin hits exactly that need in such a cute way! The illustrations are appealing. The character is lovable! She shares fabulous insights into what she’s thinking and what she’s doing in her first couple of days in first grade! (To be honest, it will make me think twice when something happens that appears odd or not to “make any sense” when some of our younger students get themselves into “interesting” predicaments! If they are anything like Ava Lin, it made perfect sense in their mind! See silver pebble. lol.) I enjoyed this book and will both purchase it for our library and recommend it to our readers. I can hear the giggles already.
November 4, 2024
Ava Lin is very excited to be starting first grade and she has one goal - to make a best friend. One of her "cousins" is in 5th grade and met her best friend in first grade so Ava is convinced that can happen for her also.
This is cute - and I liked Ava's perspective. I was a little disappointed in some of mom's behavior, though. Ava's a first grader - mom should know to check pockets before doing laundry. I am a lot older than Ava's mom and I ALWAYS check pockets before I put clothes in the wash. To punish Ava by not allowing her to wear clothes with pockets seemed a bit severe to me. And had a pretty negative result.
Other than that - I think kids will enjoy reading about Ava's adventures and creativity!
This is cute - and I liked Ava's perspective. I was a little disappointed in some of mom's behavior, though. Ava's a first grader - mom should know to check pockets before doing laundry. I am a lot older than Ava's mom and I ALWAYS check pockets before I put clothes in the wash. To punish Ava by not allowing her to wear clothes with pockets seemed a bit severe to me. And had a pretty negative result.
Other than that - I think kids will enjoy reading about Ava's adventures and creativity!
March 21, 2024
I adored this first book in the new Ava Lin series. Ava is full of personality and ideas. Young readers will find Ava's interests and problems totally relatable and will cheer her on in her quest to find a best friend in her new first grade class. As a parent, I laughed when Ava's pocket full of "treasures" went through the wash -- although I think that mishap is a bit on Ava's mom. Always check the pockets!! The series reminds me a bit of Ivy and Bean, but geared more toward beginning readers. Frequent illustrations contribute to the humor of the story, and short chapters will help young readers feel successful as they read. This is truly a standout!
March 20, 2024
In this start to a new chapter book series, we meet Ava Lin, a girl who is so full of wonder and personality. Her hilarious antics and misunderstandings get her into a bit of trouble as she seeks out a best friend (a very relatable quest for young kids). I think kids will relate to her triumphs and tribulations as she navigates the start of first grade. Plus, the voice of the story and the adorable illustrations make it a really fun read. Love this funny new chapter book series, and I can't wait for more books.
November 6, 2024
This was so cute. It made me laugh out loud. Ava has Ramona vibes, like when she finds a special pebble and wants to put it in her pocket, but she doesn't have any pockets so she puts it in her ear.
Ava is just starting 1st grade. I'd say the text will be too challenging for a lot of 6yos, so there's a bit of a mismatch between the intended audience and the difficulty/length of the book. Still, this would be fun to read aloud to 1st graders and may appeal to 2nd or even 3rd graders because it's short, funny, and generously illustrated.
Ava is just starting 1st grade. I'd say the text will be too challenging for a lot of 6yos, so there's a bit of a mismatch between the intended audience and the difficulty/length of the book. Still, this would be fun to read aloud to 1st graders and may appeal to 2nd or even 3rd graders because it's short, funny, and generously illustrated.
July 18, 2024
5 stars. Such a cute early/beginner chapter book with all the requisites: lots of white space, large font, supporting illustrations. I loved the Layla and the Bots series, which was more full color graphic novel style. This one is a more traditional chapter book, perfect for the littles who want a chapter book like their older friends. Ava Lin reminds me of the first graders I taught and her mom is spot on. And remember a girl can never have too many pockets, especially in a dress!
August 11, 2024
2024 early chapter book. American author.
Ava Lin is beginning grade 1. Her cousin met her best friend in grade 1. Will Ava meet her best friend this year? How will she know if someone is her best friend?
What I liked: This is a super cute story that really showcases the things that grade ones think about: finding treasures, making friends, coveting things that older kids have (and trying to replicate them).
What I didn't like: Not much. If anything, I was annoyed that book #2 doesn't come out until next year!
Overall, a great addition to a library that needs more early chapter book series with female protagonists.
April 14, 2025
Ava is very excited to start 1st grade because that's when her older cousin met her best friend, but she doesn't give Ava any tips on how to become best friends with someone. There are a lot of hiccups along the way as Ava figures out interpersonal relationships, especially when kids are different from grown-ups. A good back-to-school book. Plenty of illustrations and panels throughout to breakup the text.
August 9, 2023
New bestie character with the same last name, hi! Read whilst on lunch and thoroughly enjoyed myself. Loved her pet wish list (narwhal! Octopus!) and chuckled at her antics (and breathing of mom, who must put up with this a ton). Can’t wait to see Ava grow and develop in the series, and to add it to the library collection for mirrors and windows.
January 7, 2024
An absolutely adorable new series for our little ones in elementary! Kids will relate to Ava and adore her character. The illustrations by Fang throughout were so cute and well-done. Definitely adding to our library and can’t wait to read more about Ava Lin!
Thank you Vicky Fang and Candlewick Press for an ARC for #BookAllies.
Thank you Vicky Fang and Candlewick Press for an ARC for #BookAllies.
June 17, 2024
👦🏻 reviews: a fun and cute book about Ava Lin dealing with first day of first grade. She’s excited with so many things and also meeting new friends. I like it because it has some beautiful graphics and plenty of words for little kids who are ready to read more bigger words. I recommend this to kids who are ready for school and excitement they faced on their first day of being first grader.
March 19, 2026
Gold stars for this early reader
Vicky Fang shows the ups and downs of making and having a good friend. These is plenty of humor and misunderstanding as well. I love Ava’s penchant for collecting the small items that an adult would overlook.
A great book to read aloud with a 5-7 beginning girl reader.
Sue
Vicky Fang shows the ups and downs of making and having a good friend. These is plenty of humor and misunderstanding as well. I love Ava’s penchant for collecting the small items that an adult would overlook.
A great book to read aloud with a 5-7 beginning girl reader.
Sue
May 16, 2024
I really like this early reader chapter book. Great story children will love with the cutest illustrations throughout. The layout of the story and pictures make Ava Lin: Best Friend an unintimidating, fun read. A great read aloud as well!
June 6, 2024
Ava is a great character with a fun personality. I enjoyed reading this book and I think kids starting to read chapter books will find it entertaining and at their level. I look forward to more in the series.
June 25, 2024
Ava Lin is a sweet girl who is starting first grade and looking for a best friend. She isn’t a real troublemaker like Junie B Jones. She is Chinese American and her cultural understanding does play into the subplots.
July 7, 2024
This was a great book to kick off my 7yr old's summer reading! He finished it in just two days. He liked that it was realistic and funny. He especially liked the funny scene where one character poured soy sauce into Ava's bubble tea.
August 8, 2024
Delightful. I laughed out loud when she stuck the special pebble in her ear since she had her pocketed clothes confiscated after a laundry incident.
Unfortunately, very few of my first graders would be able to read this. But I'm going to get it for those few.
Unfortunately, very few of my first graders would be able to read this. But I'm going to get it for those few.
September 6, 2024
Perfect first chapter book with combination of large text, graphics with speech bubbles, and black and white illustrations. It has a number 1 in the cover and spine, so hoping this will be a series with more adventures involving 1st grader Ava.
November 19, 2023
So. Darn. Cute.
With one hundred exclamation points!
With one hundred exclamation points!
December 31, 2023
Move over JBJ and make room for Ava! Ava is a welcome newcomer to the early reader/early chapter book family, perfect for 1st graders!
June 24, 2024
This is fun early chapter book. Ava Lin is starting first grade and hoping to find a best friend.The art is cute, the story in fun, and funny, and Ava Lin is an endearing character.
June 25, 2024
EARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
What fun! Ava’s experiences in first grade will resonate with readers (or listeners!) of this story.
What fun! Ava’s experiences in first grade will resonate with readers (or listeners!) of this story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews