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Little Wonder
AN OPRAH'S BOOK CLUB PICK 2026
A musical prodigy and his mother spend years searching for each other in this beautiful novel of hope, perseverance, and love.
A SWEEPING NOVEL FROM JENNA BUSH HAGER’S NEW VENTURE, THOUSAND VOICES.
Song is a nobody—just a food delivery worker from a village in Northeastern China—but her son, River, is a little wonder.
At the age of four, he toddled to a piano and tapped out his favorite song. At eight, he mastered Liszt's three Liebestraume; at ten, he blazed through the complete set of Chopin's études. And at every step, through the valleys of loss, illness, and poverty, Song is there to light his way—until finally, at the age of eleven, River is invited to study with a preeminent teacher in Beijing.
But in the chaos of Beijing Railway Station on the busiest day of the year, Song faces every mother's nightmare: She loses her grip on River’s little hand and is unable to find him after a desperate, harrowing search.
Over the next days, weeks, and eventually, years, Song and River fight to forge a path back to each other as they carve out new lives that carry them farther apart. An evocative exploration of a mother’s love and a son’s yearning, Little Wonder takes us on an extraordinary journey through a modern Beijing that pulses with the music of humanity and its impossible—and impossibly brave—hopes.
As every musician knows: You start in one key. You wander to other keys, strange and distant places. But in the end, you always come back home.
A musical prodigy and his mother spend years searching for each other in this beautiful novel of hope, perseverance, and love.
A SWEEPING NOVEL FROM JENNA BUSH HAGER’S NEW VENTURE, THOUSAND VOICES.
Song is a nobody—just a food delivery worker from a village in Northeastern China—but her son, River, is a little wonder.
At the age of four, he toddled to a piano and tapped out his favorite song. At eight, he mastered Liszt's three Liebestraume; at ten, he blazed through the complete set of Chopin's études. And at every step, through the valleys of loss, illness, and poverty, Song is there to light his way—until finally, at the age of eleven, River is invited to study with a preeminent teacher in Beijing.
But in the chaos of Beijing Railway Station on the busiest day of the year, Song faces every mother's nightmare: She loses her grip on River’s little hand and is unable to find him after a desperate, harrowing search.
Over the next days, weeks, and eventually, years, Song and River fight to forge a path back to each other as they carve out new lives that carry them farther apart. An evocative exploration of a mother’s love and a son’s yearning, Little Wonder takes us on an extraordinary journey through a modern Beijing that pulses with the music of humanity and its impossible—and impossibly brave—hopes.
As every musician knows: You start in one key. You wander to other keys, strange and distant places. But in the end, you always come back home.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published June 16, 2026
About the author
Sophie Chen Keller
2 books290 followersSophie Chen Keller is the author of LITTLE WONDER and THE LUSTER OF LOST THINGS, which was also released in Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. Her first publication came at the age of fifteen, with a short story in Glimmer Train literary magazine. A classically trained pianist, she was born in China and raised in California; after graduating from Harvard, she lived in New York City and Beijing before moving to Germany, where she currently resides with her husband and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 896 reviews
June 21, 2026
3.5 stars rounded up .
I received this book as an advanced copy a couple of months ago. I’m a little late and didn’t get to it before publication. I read the other day that it’s Oprah’s selection, so I thought why not read it now?
A parent’s worst nightmare, losing your child in a crowd . It was gut wrenching seeing Song trying desperately to find her 12 year old son, River and really heartbreaking to see River waiting at the Railway Station for his Mama to come back while worrying that something bad happened to her . Chapters alternate from 2016 when River is lost at the Beijing terminal back to 2004 when he was born in Lakeyard, to a life of poverty and migrant working parents to Harbin and years in between and years later in 2021.
A mother’s undying love is vividly portrayed by sacrifices Song is willing to make for her son, a piano prodigy. Facing loss, she forges ahead and goes against the norm by taking River, just a baby with her as she looks for work. When she discovers his gift, she becomes even more determined to not only make a life for them, but to foster River’s amazing talent . An unbreakable bond, the kindness of strangers , a mother’s strength and determination in the face of fate are the core of this story . On their journeys to find each other, we get a glimpse of the chaos of life in Beijing, a commentary on the environment and a picture of Covid in China . However , even now I find it too soon to read about the pandemic .
It’s a good story about love and resilience. Can’t quite pinpoint why, but I thought I’d love it more than I did. Still 4 stars rounded up.
I received a copy of this book from Ballantine through NetGalley.
I received this book as an advanced copy a couple of months ago. I’m a little late and didn’t get to it before publication. I read the other day that it’s Oprah’s selection, so I thought why not read it now?
A parent’s worst nightmare, losing your child in a crowd . It was gut wrenching seeing Song trying desperately to find her 12 year old son, River and really heartbreaking to see River waiting at the Railway Station for his Mama to come back while worrying that something bad happened to her . Chapters alternate from 2016 when River is lost at the Beijing terminal back to 2004 when he was born in Lakeyard, to a life of poverty and migrant working parents to Harbin and years in between and years later in 2021.
A mother’s undying love is vividly portrayed by sacrifices Song is willing to make for her son, a piano prodigy. Facing loss, she forges ahead and goes against the norm by taking River, just a baby with her as she looks for work. When she discovers his gift, she becomes even more determined to not only make a life for them, but to foster River’s amazing talent . An unbreakable bond, the kindness of strangers , a mother’s strength and determination in the face of fate are the core of this story . On their journeys to find each other, we get a glimpse of the chaos of life in Beijing, a commentary on the environment and a picture of Covid in China . However , even now I find it too soon to read about the pandemic .
It’s a good story about love and resilience. Can’t quite pinpoint why, but I thought I’d love it more than I did. Still 4 stars rounded up.
I received a copy of this book from Ballantine through NetGalley.
June 21, 2026
LITTLE WONDER by Sophie Chen Keller
Little Wonder is the story of Song, a woman from a poor village in Northeastern China who finds herself a single mother caring for her son, River, while trying to eke out a living. When River is only four, he first comes in contact with a piano and it’s immediately clear that he has incredible innate talent. Song is able to find a teacher willing to take on River’s training and though their lives are still harsh, his talent brings hope.
As River grows older, it’s clear he needs an even stronger teacher, so Song endeavors to move them both to Beijing, where in the intensely crowded train station, the two become separated. They search and search, but in an unfamiliar city of over 20 million people, luck isn’t in their favor.
Once again I may be finding myself an outlier with this story. I liked the bones a lot and I thought Keller did a wonderful job bringing the idea of a musical prodigy to life and also taking readers to the chaos of Beijing. Where the story fell down for me was in its over-reliance on two things. First, unlikely, but favorable coincidences. This was especially true with pretty much everything having to do with River’s huge talent. It was all too much and way too easy. My other problem was the amount of melodrama. It was especially prevalent with the ending, but also popped up in earlier parts.
In the end, LITTLE WONDER was just okay for me, though it was an easy and compelling book to read. Its Goodreads ratings are very high and it’s one of Jenna Bush Hager’s Thousand Voices selections, so smarter people than me have loved it!⭐️⭐️⭐️💫✨
Little Wonder is the story of Song, a woman from a poor village in Northeastern China who finds herself a single mother caring for her son, River, while trying to eke out a living. When River is only four, he first comes in contact with a piano and it’s immediately clear that he has incredible innate talent. Song is able to find a teacher willing to take on River’s training and though their lives are still harsh, his talent brings hope.
As River grows older, it’s clear he needs an even stronger teacher, so Song endeavors to move them both to Beijing, where in the intensely crowded train station, the two become separated. They search and search, but in an unfamiliar city of over 20 million people, luck isn’t in their favor.
Once again I may be finding myself an outlier with this story. I liked the bones a lot and I thought Keller did a wonderful job bringing the idea of a musical prodigy to life and also taking readers to the chaos of Beijing. Where the story fell down for me was in its over-reliance on two things. First, unlikely, but favorable coincidences. This was especially true with pretty much everything having to do with River’s huge talent. It was all too much and way too easy. My other problem was the amount of melodrama. It was especially prevalent with the ending, but also popped up in earlier parts.
In the end, LITTLE WONDER was just okay for me, though it was an easy and compelling book to read. Its Goodreads ratings are very high and it’s one of Jenna Bush Hager’s Thousand Voices selections, so smarter people than me have loved it!⭐️⭐️⭐️💫✨
June 29, 2026
I’m definitely in the minority with this reading experience. I started this book, and abandoned it pretty quickly. Then a friend reached out, recommending the book, saying I would like it; so I ended up picking it back again. I found the book to be slow and overly dramatic. Also, I kept asking… is it not possible to report a missing child in China? Are you truly on your own to try to find your missing child? I googled it, and it looks like they have reporting and public alert systems in place. I know it’s fiction, but it seems like an unnecessary struggle.
September 9, 2026
A beautiful read. In Little Wonder by Sophie Chen Keller a story of never ending love between mother and child. The story shows us hardship, sacrifice, loss and determination when faced with challenges and tough situations. It teaches us to work hard and never give up.
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
So excited to partner with the publisher, Thousand Voices, on this book! I'm hosting a giveaway for this book on my Substack at this link!!. Giveaway ends on May 30!
REVIEW:
Whew did I sure pick a not sad book for my flight! Tears were shed on the plane. This is a very sweet story about a boy and his mother who never stop searching for each other after he gets lost in a crowd in Beijing. One of the most surprising elements of this book was the vibrant food! I felt the smell of the foods wafting off the page!
Overall the story was sweet! The writing was a little elementary but it would make it a really easy read to pick up (crying on the beach this summer anyone??).
I think readers of Kristin Hannah will really love this one.
Definitely worth the read!
REVIEW:
Whew did I sure pick a not sad book for my flight! Tears were shed on the plane. This is a very sweet story about a boy and his mother who never stop searching for each other after he gets lost in a crowd in Beijing. One of the most surprising elements of this book was the vibrant food! I felt the smell of the foods wafting off the page!
Overall the story was sweet! The writing was a little elementary but it would make it a really easy read to pick up (crying on the beach this summer anyone??).
I think readers of Kristin Hannah will really love this one.
Definitely worth the read!
July 1, 2026
Little Wonder features the unwavering love of a mother set in a toxic, overpolluted, and overpopulated world that lacks any empathy or compassion.
As a mother, the premise of this story is truly my worst nightmare. I couldn't even fathom being in Song's position so I connected with her and my heart went out to her immediately. Song's plight to find her son was a heart wrenching and suspenseful tale that held me tight in its grip until the very end. But Little Wonder isn't just a tear jerked, there are plenty of lighter and heart warming moments to perfectly balance the story out.
The story covers many topics including the immigrant experience, found family, hope, grief, and being adrift. Little Wonder is truly a remarkable story that I highly recommend to all.
I listened to the audiobook version which is read by Emily Woo Zeller who did a brilliant job. If you decide to pick this one up, I highly recommend this format!
Little Wonder by Sophie Chen Keller was published on June 16 so it's available now!
As a mother, the premise of this story is truly my worst nightmare. I couldn't even fathom being in Song's position so I connected with her and my heart went out to her immediately. Song's plight to find her son was a heart wrenching and suspenseful tale that held me tight in its grip until the very end. But Little Wonder isn't just a tear jerked, there are plenty of lighter and heart warming moments to perfectly balance the story out.
The story covers many topics including the immigrant experience, found family, hope, grief, and being adrift. Little Wonder is truly a remarkable story that I highly recommend to all.
I listened to the audiobook version which is read by Emily Woo Zeller who did a brilliant job. If you decide to pick this one up, I highly recommend this format!
Little Wonder by Sophie Chen Keller was published on June 16 so it's available now!
July 17, 2026
This story is about musical prodigy, River, and his mother, Song, who are separated at Beijing Railway Station and spend years searching for each other.
This book explores themes of love, loss, hope, found family, and perseverance. It explores Song and River’s separate journeys in Beijing, as they try to make their way back to each other in a city of 20 million people. This story explores the unbreakable bond between mothers and their children.
I really enjoyed this story. However, it is a very emotional read. Song and River do not always have the easiest of lives. This story highlighted some of the struggles of migrant workers and of living in Beijing during the pandemic.
This book explores themes of love, loss, hope, found family, and perseverance. It explores Song and River’s separate journeys in Beijing, as they try to make their way back to each other in a city of 20 million people. This story explores the unbreakable bond between mothers and their children.
I really enjoyed this story. However, it is a very emotional read. Song and River do not always have the easiest of lives. This story highlighted some of the struggles of migrant workers and of living in Beijing during the pandemic.
June 23, 2026
DNF. I should know by now that Oprah’s book club is not for literature lovers.
June 27, 2026
Song is an impoverished woman living in rural China. After her husband leaves their town to find work, they agree to meet in a year's time when they have some money saved. Song would like to remain with her family in their home during this time but her mother isn't amenable to that.
Once Song realizes that River, her son, is a musical prodigy, she leaves her rural community to connect River up with a famous piano teacher. The plan, however, falls through. Song's husband dies in a work accident and she is working as a janitor earning very little money. With the money that her husband's company gives her as a settlement for his death, she heads to Beijing with River. There she plans to introduce him to a well-known piano instructor.
The Beijing trip is chaotic. The train and station are wall-to-wall people and, in the midst of the crowds, River drops his beloved musical composition on the ground. As he tries to retrieve it, he gets separated from his mother. The balance of the novel is their search to find one another.
The major parts of this novel are Song's search to find River, River's perfect pitch and talent, and the descriptions of China. I found the story slow and the characterizations lacking depth. I didn't understand why a phone was so necessary for everything in China such as buying tickets, making purchases, and overall getting along in the city. I wanted to be more excited about this novel but it dragged for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballentine Books for this advanced review copy. The opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.
Once Song realizes that River, her son, is a musical prodigy, she leaves her rural community to connect River up with a famous piano teacher. The plan, however, falls through. Song's husband dies in a work accident and she is working as a janitor earning very little money. With the money that her husband's company gives her as a settlement for his death, she heads to Beijing with River. There she plans to introduce him to a well-known piano instructor.
The Beijing trip is chaotic. The train and station are wall-to-wall people and, in the midst of the crowds, River drops his beloved musical composition on the ground. As he tries to retrieve it, he gets separated from his mother. The balance of the novel is their search to find one another.
The major parts of this novel are Song's search to find River, River's perfect pitch and talent, and the descriptions of China. I found the story slow and the characterizations lacking depth. I didn't understand why a phone was so necessary for everything in China such as buying tickets, making purchases, and overall getting along in the city. I wanted to be more excited about this novel but it dragged for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballentine Books for this advanced review copy. The opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.
June 18, 2026
Song and her son River are on their own. They are traveling from the countryside to Beijing. Despite the hardship of the journey, Song is determined to give River, a musical prodigy, every advantage. Poverty may seem to be all they know, but their bond and River’s flawless musical ability prove they have far more.
Sadly, at a busy Beijing train station, the pair are separated. What follows is a years-long separation as mother and son are lost to one another. Desperation is powerful, as they are each forced to survive in an unfamiliar and unforgiving world.
Despite the sadness that runs through by both Song and River’s journeys, this ia a beautifully-written story, enhanced by a lyrical and poetic tone. Survival becomes central to both of their lives as they struggle to endure while never giving up hope of finding each other again. Even in Song’s absence, River’s exceptional musical gift continues to grow and evolve.
This is a heartbreaking yet deeply moving novel, filled with emotional moments throughout. At its core, however, the story carries even a deeper message about resilience, hope and the unbreakable bond between a mother and child.
Many thanks to Ballantine Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Sadly, at a busy Beijing train station, the pair are separated. What follows is a years-long separation as mother and son are lost to one another. Desperation is powerful, as they are each forced to survive in an unfamiliar and unforgiving world.
Despite the sadness that runs through by both Song and River’s journeys, this ia a beautifully-written story, enhanced by a lyrical and poetic tone. Survival becomes central to both of their lives as they struggle to endure while never giving up hope of finding each other again. Even in Song’s absence, River’s exceptional musical gift continues to grow and evolve.
This is a heartbreaking yet deeply moving novel, filled with emotional moments throughout. At its core, however, the story carries even a deeper message about resilience, hope and the unbreakable bond between a mother and child.
Many thanks to Ballantine Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
July 1, 2026
An emotional punch right from the beginning. This book takes the fears and anxieties of motherhood and says “let’s play a song”…
Themes of classism and poverty in a contemporary litfic set in China isn’t something that comes out often to the masses, and I felt this was beautifully done. The pacing was well done and quick jumps back in time carried me along and made me need to get to the next chapter to find out how this developed.
Audio book was very well done, and would recommend in this format, although I am sure reading it physically would have the same effect.
Themes of classism and poverty in a contemporary litfic set in China isn’t something that comes out often to the masses, and I felt this was beautifully done. The pacing was well done and quick jumps back in time carried me along and made me need to get to the next chapter to find out how this developed.
Audio book was very well done, and would recommend in this format, although I am sure reading it physically would have the same effect.
Read
April 5, 2026A tender book about the love of Song and her son River. Song has to work to survive. She sells food from a small stand, cleans houses, and is a delivery worker. But she is always looking out for River. Through loss and love each learns to navigate the life that has been given to them while looking for each other.
June 25, 2026
Easily in my top 5 of the year. This is one of those books that you know will be 5 stars at about the 20% mark. I will think about this story and the beautiful writing for a while. 5 stars!
September 12, 2026
Little Wonder
“Little Wonder” tells the story of Song and her son, River. She loses River at the Beijing Railway Station and the story follows her journey as she searches for her son. It follows River’s experience as he waits for his mother to find him.
The story is told in a dual timeline format. One timeline begins when River is a baby and the other begins around the time that Song and River are separated. The relationship between Song and River is intimate in the way that they only have each other. Song is a widow, and when she decides to bring River with t the city to go back to work, her mother refuses to help.
Song spends her time searching for River in any way that she can. She is a migrant worker and ultimately decides to become a delivery driver in Beijing, which allows her to make money while she searches for River. River seemingly stumbles into one pot of luck after another as he waits for his mother to find him.
They each develop their own community in their time apart. Song with her fellow delivery drivers and River with a woman who takes him in after discovering him at the train station. These different communities highlight the differences between the haves and have nots. This is a heavy theme throughout the book along with a mother’s love for her child.
I enjoyed this debut novel by Sophie Chen Keller. I discovered it listening to the Oprah Winfrey podcast, she did an interview with the author. Highly recommend this one.
“Little Wonder” tells the story of Song and her son, River. She loses River at the Beijing Railway Station and the story follows her journey as she searches for her son. It follows River’s experience as he waits for his mother to find him.
The story is told in a dual timeline format. One timeline begins when River is a baby and the other begins around the time that Song and River are separated. The relationship between Song and River is intimate in the way that they only have each other. Song is a widow, and when she decides to bring River with t the city to go back to work, her mother refuses to help.
Song spends her time searching for River in any way that she can. She is a migrant worker and ultimately decides to become a delivery driver in Beijing, which allows her to make money while she searches for River. River seemingly stumbles into one pot of luck after another as he waits for his mother to find him.
They each develop their own community in their time apart. Song with her fellow delivery drivers and River with a woman who takes him in after discovering him at the train station. These different communities highlight the differences between the haves and have nots. This is a heavy theme throughout the book along with a mother’s love for her child.
I enjoyed this debut novel by Sophie Chen Keller. I discovered it listening to the Oprah Winfrey podcast, she did an interview with the author. Highly recommend this one.
August 8, 2026
An intense and propulsive story. It aligned perfectly with the notes that the pianist played.
May 22, 2026
This was a beautiful story about a parent who makes sacrifices in order for their child to achieve success. Song is a migrant worker in China whose husband dies in a tragic accident, so she is raising her son River on her own. Song realizes River is a piano prodigy and does everything in her power to make sure River has all the opportunities to be successful. One day, at the train station, River and Song lose each other through the heavy crowd and the story follows from there.
As a piano and music lover, I loved all the musical aspects of the story. I also loved how the book covers multiple important topics, including migrant workers and Covid-19, while also creating a beautiful story about a mom sacrificing for her son to be successful. This book just didn’t have the oomph to be five stars though.
Thank you NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this book!
As a piano and music lover, I loved all the musical aspects of the story. I also loved how the book covers multiple important topics, including migrant workers and Covid-19, while also creating a beautiful story about a mom sacrificing for her son to be successful. This book just didn’t have the oomph to be five stars though.
Thank you NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this book!
July 23, 2026
3.5🌞 Take my review for what you will because I think others have loved it more than me. I did really like most of this book, the writing was really good with some lovely "quotables." It lost me about halfway through; I found it very repetitive and redundant. The ending was predictable but still sad none the less. I do also think the way River was taken in was pretty unbelievable. Moving on...
July 17, 2026
Song is a migrant worker and her eleven-year-old son, River, is a musical prodigy. Song and River are moving to Beijing for piano instruction when they are separated in the hectic railway station.
River and Song search for each other over modern day Beijing through many obstacles such as the COVID epidemic and the struggles of migrants.
The writing in this novel is beautiful and I was endeared to the characters. I enjoyed all the references to music as I took piano lessons when I was growing up. I loved learning about another culture and felt like I was in China.
This is the current Oprah Book Club selection.
Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the advanced digital copy of the book.
River and Song search for each other over modern day Beijing through many obstacles such as the COVID epidemic and the struggles of migrants.
The writing in this novel is beautiful and I was endeared to the characters. I enjoyed all the references to music as I took piano lessons when I was growing up. I loved learning about another culture and felt like I was in China.
This is the current Oprah Book Club selection.
Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the advanced digital copy of the book.
August 7, 2026
Omg, I did not need these feels. I got sad, depressed and hopeless vibes from nearly the whole story. As a parent this was horrific.Yeah yeah I should be looking at the story and the beauty hidden behind it. NO NO NO it hurt to read this, I felt a great sense of loss that didn't end with the ending. Oh that ending, gods the tears and heartache ! I don't read to feel this way.
I was challenged to read this by a "friend" that wanted to broaden my reading. In the future, I'm saying no.
I was challenged to read this by a "friend" that wanted to broaden my reading. In the future, I'm saying no.
July 28, 2026
Atmospheric, urgent, crescendoing. 11yo piano prodigy River is separated from his mom at the Beijing train station during the most crowded time of the year. They spend the next six years looking for each other. A tale about migrant workers, class, music, hope, perseverance, and fate/free will. I enjoyed many literal translations of phrases the author intentionally used, as well as familiar cultural traditions of my background.
July 23, 2026
I really found this book to be unbelievable andridiculous started off good ,the devoted mother,the prodigy son. It completely falls apart ,so ridiculous ,they get separated for five years and have totally different lives and he gets adopted by one of the best pianists in the world. Then he finally wins The competition, In the meantime, his mother is on her deathbed, and they go and get him so he can say goodbye to her. So stupid I really will not trust Jenna Bush, and Oprah again .
June 17, 2026
This book is as real as reality gets. It walks you through the lives of migrant workers, the bitter truths of their existence, the harsh weight of financial disparity, and the cruel reality of being the first to take the hit when things fall apart.
This book will hurt you, but it’s absolutely one you should read. It’s a story of a mother and son, of love and survival, of rising against all odds just to breathe cleaner air.
I cried. My heart ached. I felt everything, deeply.
A 10/10 in every sense.
This book will hurt you, but it’s absolutely one you should read. It’s a story of a mother and son, of love and survival, of rising against all odds just to breathe cleaner air.
I cried. My heart ached. I felt everything, deeply.
A 10/10 in every sense.
June 26, 2026
This is a beautifully written book. It made me feel everything.
The characters truly come to life and you can feel the anguish from both mother and son. While it's sad, it's also very hopeful. It's a fascinating look into the Chinese culture, especially as the pandemic hits, and the disparity of the wealthy and the poor in society. It's a captivating read and while reading i felt everything these characters were experiencing. A beautiful story that needs to be read
The characters truly come to life and you can feel the anguish from both mother and son. While it's sad, it's also very hopeful. It's a fascinating look into the Chinese culture, especially as the pandemic hits, and the disparity of the wealthy and the poor in society. It's a captivating read and while reading i felt everything these characters were experiencing. A beautiful story that needs to be read
July 14, 2026
I really didn’t like this book. Maybe I just have a weaker stomach that I originally thought but there were way too many unnecessary references to burping, farting, nose picking, etc. that it actually grossed me out at several points. I also listened to the audiobook and couldn’t stand the narrators voice for the little boy. Overall I thought the plot relied too much on dramatics and conveniences.
June 21, 2026
What a gem of a book. Sophie Chen Keller will take your heart on a journey that leaves you feeling more human. All mothers should read this book!
July 19, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ rounded up
I thought the writing in this book was really beautiful. I loved the mother and son moments - so much love in this book.
Song is a migrant worker, who, after the death of her husband, realizes that her prodigy son has a way out of poverty. They find a brilliant teacher (Professor Li) for him for a while, but when they need to make a change and go to Beijing. Upon arriving, Song and River are separated due to the mass of people leaving the train. Will they find their way back to each other.
This book takes place during multiple timelines.
2016 is arrival into Beijing, but it goes back to 2004 to tell the story of Song’s early life with River. The present life moves forward through 2021 (it does cover somewhat in depth living in China during COVID; which I found interesting but may be triggering for some). Sophie Chen Keller tells many stories in this novel - their past, this defining moments and then these two almost parallel lives with the people around them who helped them.
I think in today’s world and all of its difficulties, we have to remember those people who helped us - and to keep looking for the helpers.
Their love for each other - mother and son - was always touching. “And where you are … I will always be there”
So many favorite quotes:
“One day you’ll wonder, where did the time go?” Ch 1
“You know, this isn’t the end for you. It’s just the beginning, and the beginning is always the hardest part,…” ch 4
“I’ve never come across such a gift. Your son … he’s a little wonder.” Ch 8
“This is how you become the best. You have to go up, son—that’s the only way out. Up and out.” She put an arm around him, drawing those sad shoulders toward her. “It won’t be easy. I know. But it will be easier next time.” Ch 10
“…If your emotions overwhelm you, break something else. Not yourself.” Ch 10
“She could go to where the earth ended, because there was no end to her love.” Ch 16
“…reminding him that people weren’t birds. They weren’t made to be free of all burdens. They claimed their place in the world with the weight of their bones, which kept them from becoming ever more lost.” Ch 17
“Everyone wanted a better life—better schools and better money and better air—even if they already had a good one.” Ch 20
“Day after day, year after year.” She sighed. “Little wonder.”
It was little wonder, what had happened to her. It was little wonder that her son was lost.
…
“But time was like water, flowing away from her, and it flowed away from her as it always had, only she hadn’t noticed it until now, as it flowed over and under and through her bruised fingers. What would she give for one more drop, once all of it was gone?” Ch 21
“The stage fright couldn’t stand up to love like that. That love was the one thing that could conquer fear every time.” Ch 22
“Her laugh was like a dragonfly’s wing, vanishing in the sunlight.” CNN 25
Thank you Ballentine for an advanced reader copy of this book. Quotes were checked against a final copy.
I thought the writing in this book was really beautiful. I loved the mother and son moments - so much love in this book.
Song is a migrant worker, who, after the death of her husband, realizes that her prodigy son has a way out of poverty. They find a brilliant teacher (Professor Li) for him for a while, but when they need to make a change and go to Beijing. Upon arriving, Song and River are separated due to the mass of people leaving the train. Will they find their way back to each other.
This book takes place during multiple timelines.
2016 is arrival into Beijing, but it goes back to 2004 to tell the story of Song’s early life with River. The present life moves forward through 2021 (it does cover somewhat in depth living in China during COVID; which I found interesting but may be triggering for some). Sophie Chen Keller tells many stories in this novel - their past, this defining moments and then these two almost parallel lives with the people around them who helped them.
I think in today’s world and all of its difficulties, we have to remember those people who helped us - and to keep looking for the helpers.
Their love for each other - mother and son - was always touching. “And where you are … I will always be there”
So many favorite quotes:
“One day you’ll wonder, where did the time go?” Ch 1
“You know, this isn’t the end for you. It’s just the beginning, and the beginning is always the hardest part,…” ch 4
“I’ve never come across such a gift. Your son … he’s a little wonder.” Ch 8
“This is how you become the best. You have to go up, son—that’s the only way out. Up and out.” She put an arm around him, drawing those sad shoulders toward her. “It won’t be easy. I know. But it will be easier next time.” Ch 10
“…If your emotions overwhelm you, break something else. Not yourself.” Ch 10
“She could go to where the earth ended, because there was no end to her love.” Ch 16
“…reminding him that people weren’t birds. They weren’t made to be free of all burdens. They claimed their place in the world with the weight of their bones, which kept them from becoming ever more lost.” Ch 17
“Everyone wanted a better life—better schools and better money and better air—even if they already had a good one.” Ch 20
“Day after day, year after year.” She sighed. “Little wonder.”
It was little wonder, what had happened to her. It was little wonder that her son was lost.
…
“But time was like water, flowing away from her, and it flowed away from her as it always had, only she hadn’t noticed it until now, as it flowed over and under and through her bruised fingers. What would she give for one more drop, once all of it was gone?” Ch 21
“The stage fright couldn’t stand up to love like that. That love was the one thing that could conquer fear every time.” Ch 22
“Her laugh was like a dragonfly’s wing, vanishing in the sunlight.” CNN 25
Thank you Ballentine for an advanced reader copy of this book. Quotes were checked against a final copy.
Did Not Finish
September 16, 2026DNF’d — I thought for sure I was going to love this book and the synopsis sounded really interesting, but from the start I got this feeling that something was bit off and further I got into the book (almost made it to half-way mark,) the more agitated & frustrated I got — and it almost read like a YA book and this sense of overwhelming dread, not just from mother & son losing each other and events preceding it, but like the way things are handled didn’t make any sense — and characters were FLAT, so that didn’t help.
I can’t seem to shake off this weird feeling from the book.
I can’t seem to shake off this weird feeling from the book.
Read
August 5, 2026At cup of busy clawds lost behind stars
searching for song of my life
grid to busy vew
wonder by taste pain
creat new climb to success
hide from shadow of my tree
wender for dream
addicat for fav lust
love
searching for song of my life
grid to busy vew
wonder by taste pain
creat new climb to success
hide from shadow of my tree
wender for dream
addicat for fav lust
love
June 3, 2026
I was delighted by this story. Although, some of the subject matters was sad and difficult, the majority of the story is very hopeful and upbeat. It was as though the stars were in line for River to succeed in being a pianist and meet people who would help him, even though he miss is mother a great deal. It's the same with Song who keeps looking for River at every delivery she makes and still she was able to live a happy life and meet people who cared for her. I was glad that Song and River meet again at the end of the story but it's unfortunate that Sung is dying, but for the short time they have I can feel the love they have for each other even after all the years they are apart.
From the moment I started this story, I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen to both River and Sung while they search for each other. I loved all of the characters they meet that not only help them maneuver their new lives but also try to help them find each other. The secondary characters are down to earth and very caring towards both Sung and River.
I want to thank Ballantine | Ballantine Books and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this wonderful story about love
From the moment I started this story, I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen to both River and Sung while they search for each other. I loved all of the characters they meet that not only help them maneuver their new lives but also try to help them find each other. The secondary characters are down to earth and very caring towards both Sung and River.
I want to thank Ballantine | Ballantine Books and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this wonderful story about love
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2026
4.5 Stars A heartwarming story about a mother and son with a lot of insight into China and classical music. See my full review on instagram @robertsonsreadingrecs.
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