Lost & Found: Based on a True Story

Lost & Found #1

by Mei Yu

Being the new kid in school is scary enough. But imagine what it would be like if you were the new kid in a new school, in a new country. That’s exactly the situation Mei Yu finds herself in when her family moves from China to Canada. As she navigates her new school, she discovers a unique way to learn English and makes a new friend along the way in this heartwarming story based on the author's own experiences. Mei’s art style is reminiscent of The Baby-Sitter's Club Little Sister’s series, with a touch of manga inspiration.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Middle Grade, Memoir, Immigration, Childrens, Juvenile

128 pages, Hardcover

Published April 2, 2024

About the author

Mei Yu is an award-winning, internationally-published author and artist whose artwork and cheerful personality are loved by youth and parents around the world. She has one of the most popular art channels on YouTube, with over 1.8 million subscribers, 500 million views, and 1,000 art videos. Mei's stories and artwork have been featured in various local and national newspapers, on TV, and radio since 2004.

Mei's debut graphic novel, Lost & Found: Based on a True Story (published by Union Square Kids, a part of Hachette Book Group), won the Forest of Reading's Silver Birch Express Award, an award solely determined by student readers' votes from schools and libraries across Canada.

Mei's most comprehensive how to draw book, Manga Drawing School (published by DK, a part of Penguin Random House), is published in multiple languages worldwide.

YouTube: youtube.com/MeiYu
Website: MeiYuArt.com

Reviews

[Aimee Ardonne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, but I think I wasn't the right audience for this. I would have preferred more context about the author's journey into becoming comfortable in her new home.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mei Yu and her parents move from China to Canada. She is excited to move until they actually arrive in Canada and she realizes she can’t understand anything (she doesn’t know any English yet) and that they are in Canada for good. At first Mei is overwhelmed at school, since she doesn’t know English she can’t tell the bathrooms apart and has to use body language to tell if her classmates are being nice or mean. As she learns more English (which she finds a smart way of helping herself) she begins fitting in more and things get better.

I liked how words were in black vs green to demonstrate Mei’s understanding. This book does a good job of showing how overwhelming it must be to move to a new country and try to learn a new language. Artwork is cute especially her kitty sidekick. For readers 2nd grade and up.

[Jay Beard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for kids who are either learning English and wanting someone to relate to or for kids who need exposure to how hard it is to move to a new country that doesn't speak your language. The art is incredibly colorful and engaging. Very cute!!

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Graphic novel about a girl named Mei who emigrates from China to Canada and struggles to learn the language and make friends because of the language barrier. Her artistic talent helps her find a way to communicate and make friends.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

In this graphic, semi-autobiographical memoir, we meet young Mei, whose family is moving from China to the US. She isn't happy with the move, but does her best preparing, even if it includes filling a suitcase with dumplings and soy sauce! She and her stuffed cat (who talks to her and interacts with her) instead pack clothes and are on their way. The trip is stressful, even though she can watch all of the movies she wants. When they arrive, Mei realizes that she doesn't understand what people are saying or what the signs say. This is illlustrated quite well by having the words she does understand printed in green and the words she doesn't printed in black. The family has a new apartment (the pictures of which are very appealing; I sort of want to live in that building!), and Mei starts school. Of course, she understands very little, and the printed cards her father gives her with helpful phrases to show people don't help much when he didn't include a translation! Her teacher is helpful, but it's stressful being with other children who laugh at her in a mean way. To cope, Mei draws pictures in a notebook and puts the new English words next to them. This helps a little, but when her notebook is lost at school, she worries that the others will make fun of her. Luckily, her teacher and fellow students embrace Mei's way of learning, and work with her to investigate new words. There are notes at the end of the book about the author's experiences of moving to Canada when very young, as well as information about drawing and her artwork.
Strengths: The method of showing the words Mei understands in a different cover is very helpful in understanding what it feels like to be in a place where the language is difficult to understand. Mei's story is told simply and effectively. It's also very cute, with her cat having a lot of fun hijinks. This would be a great book for elementary students who are meeting a classmate who is learning English.
Weaknesses: I wish Mei had been portrayed as slightly older; this would have made it more appealing to my ELL readers who don't like to be seen reading books that seem young. The cover's anime style will help, and it will certainly be a big hit with readers who are themselves struggling with a new language. Also, I'm not a fan of the over-the-top emotions of Manga style illustrations; "puppy dog eyes" irritate me intensely for reasons I don't even understand.
What I really think: This is a great choice for readers who enjoyed Castellanos' Isla to Island or Lai's Pie in the Sky.

[Matt Glaviano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lower grade level graphic novel about moving to a new country.

Emphasis on the lower grade level part. There's a lot of book that follow the same basic story outline that this one does. Generally, though, they aren't aimed at this age. I think that's a huge win for this book. To convey the experiences that the character has effectively to a younger audience is fantastic.

Yu tells their story well and earns the emotional ending they set up. I was genuinely moved by Mei's classmates discovering her journal and the moments that discovery led to.

Lots of positives here. Bright, colorful, manga-esque art. The color coded language is used to experience a lot of moments as Mei would experience them. Effective humor and emotion. A decent afterward. It's a book that a kid could see themselves in, aimed at an age that usually doesn't get to read this story told this well.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book during my visit to YallFest in 2023. This was a very cute graphic novel for younger children (ages 7 -10) about a girl who immigrated from China to Canada and the culture shock she experienced.
My 8 year old read this as well and liked it! It sparked good questions and conversations about what it would be like for another kid who can't speak the same language and what kinds of difficulties they would face outside of what is mentioned in the book. My daughter also began asking culture related questions about China! Needless to say, we both loved this book and it provided great discussions!

[Crystal books_inthewild · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed previewing this one for our school library! It’s a great earlier graphic novel for younger readers. I think so many children will see themselves represented in this story- and how special is that!

An important story for all kids to read- to perhaps better understand new children, especially immigrant families, entering their classroom & how that might feel. Seeing the struggle of learning a new language, joining a new school, moving to a whole new country, etc.

Great, emotive, and colourful illustrations!

[Yentl ♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book about a girl who moves from China to Canada and everything is different. She gets here expecting everything to be the same, but soon realizes that no one speaks Chinese and the food is weird. She slowly starts adjusting to her new life and learning English. She makes new friends in the process and slowly becomes more confident. Her art helps her learn words and also helps her new friends communicate with her. The illustrations are super cute and the story is heartwarming.

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was interesting, and I like that it was based on the author’s experience. I liked the use of different colors to represent words Mei Yu understood or did not understand. Her sketchbook seemed like a great tool for learning new words and communicating with new people. That said, the book felt compressed to me, and I would have liked to have read more about her adjustment to her new school and her new country.

[Tracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Young Mei feels lost after moving from China to Canada with her family, until she finds a way to learn English that leads to finding a friend.

This graphic novel based on the author's experiences is a quick read for early elementary students. The engaging manga-style art brings silliness and drama. While the plot is simplistic, the story gives Mei agency and imparts positive, comforting messages that empower readers to contend with overwhelming changes.

[Susan Dunn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a quick read, but it's pretty simplistic. Kids may enjoy the funnier aspects of Mei's adjustment to life in Canada, like trying to eat a sandwich with chopsticks, or using the boys bathroom by mistake, but this just didn't really grab me. It's for an older audience, but I liked Uprooted much better.

[Sol · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this when I was checking in books at work, and immediately remembered how much I loved watching Mei Yu's videos when I was a little kid, myself! I'm proud of her and glad to see she's still drawing and doing well for herself. Her art is filled with charm. This book made me smile and even a bit emotional at times. It was simple but heartfelt. I enjoyed it!

[Ellen Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short graphic novel about young Mei’s experience moving from China to Canada and the challenges of learning a new language in an unfamiliar place where no one else speaks your language. The authors note is fantastic as the story is based on the author and illustrators own experience as an immigrant.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a whole lot of meat to this graphic memoir, but it was pleasant enough. This one lacks the nuance and complexity of, say, a Raina Telgemeier, but that might work for some readers (especially younger ones).

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun and empathetic look at moving to an unfamiliar place where you don't know the language or customs. Based on Mei Yu's own experiences moving from China to Canada. Filled with emotions and Mei's slow acquisition of language, this is a charming book full of victories for Mei.

[Amy Pickett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet graphic novel for young readers about a young girl named Mei who moves to a new country and finds her voice through art, a library card, new friends, and a slightly magical cat named Meiow. Colorful and endearing, with lots of big emotions that kids will relate to!

[Dolores · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author Mei Yu share her own immigration experience and how she used art at a tool to help her learn English and adapt to her new home. Very sweet with adorable art.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book. The story is sweet and empathetic. The artwork is amazing. Great work Mei.

[Harlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter loves Mei Yu so much. This was such a great story.

[Elizabeth]

Cute, sweet, and simple.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute and inspiring book perfect for immigrants who struggle with the language and fitting in.

[LS Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

reads young; does a good job of describing a young immigrants experience

[Caissie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter got my kindle lol

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute graphic novel based on author’s immigration experience as a young child

[Marisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute, easier level story of Mei’s experience immigrating to America. Poignant while still being completely approachable.

[Allyson Storey · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO AMAZING!!!!

It’s great book I think this book is good for people that just moved to a different country or state I love this book so much I think u should really get this!!!!!

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Newcomer from China uses her art to help learn English. When other kids find out, they congratulate her instead of mocking her, as she expected.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young girl's experience immigrating to Canada. As she struggles with the language and culture, she uses art to help her learn new words and friendships.

[Cufe Scarborough · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing everyone should read it