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It's Boba Time for Pearl Li!
Perfect for fans of Kelly Yang and Jessica Kim, this joyful, moving middle grade contemporary follows a big-hearted Taiwanese American girl as she aims to gain her family’s acceptance and save her favorite boba tea shop by selling her handcrafted amigurumi dolls.
Pearl Li is ready to spend the summer before seventh grade hanging out with her two best friends, crocheting the cutest amigurumi dolls, and visiting her favorite tea shop, Boba Time. Its quirky owner, Auntie Cha, is the only adult Pearl can confide in about her art—if only her tech-obsessed family would understand her love of crafts!
After Pearl learns of Boba Time’s financial troubles, she decides to sell her amigurumi to raise money for the shop. But as she navigates the ups and downs of running a business, Pearl realizes that monetizing her passion is more complicated than she could’ve ever imagined. Can Pearl save Boba Time before it’s too late?
Featuring fun backmatter—including a delicious boba tea recipe—this is a heartfelt story about advocating for your passions and uncovering big truths about friendship, family, and entrepreneurship along the way.
Pearl Li is ready to spend the summer before seventh grade hanging out with her two best friends, crocheting the cutest amigurumi dolls, and visiting her favorite tea shop, Boba Time. Its quirky owner, Auntie Cha, is the only adult Pearl can confide in about her art—if only her tech-obsessed family would understand her love of crafts!
After Pearl learns of Boba Time’s financial troubles, she decides to sell her amigurumi to raise money for the shop. But as she navigates the ups and downs of running a business, Pearl realizes that monetizing her passion is more complicated than she could’ve ever imagined. Can Pearl save Boba Time before it’s too late?
Featuring fun backmatter—including a delicious boba tea recipe—this is a heartfelt story about advocating for your passions and uncovering big truths about friendship, family, and entrepreneurship along the way.
365 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 28, 2023
54 people are currently reading
3896 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
March 10, 2024
A super wholesome story about chasing after your dreams despite the lack of support along the way.
February 12, 2024
4 stars
It’s Boba Time for Pearl Li! was the cutest middle grade book. I loved reading about Pearl’s crafting, trying to save her favorite hangout spot, and seeing her relationships change with her friends, parents, and sister.
It’s Boba Time for Pearl Li! was the cutest middle grade book. I loved reading about Pearl’s crafting, trying to save her favorite hangout spot, and seeing her relationships change with her friends, parents, and sister.
Audio book source: Hoopla
Story Rating: 4 stars
Narrators: Katharine Chin
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Middle Grade
Length: 7h 31m
March 12, 2024
It's Boba Time for Pearl Li! - Nicole Chen 4.5 Stars
We follow a big hearted Taiwanese American girl - Pearl Li - who has a heart for crafting amigurumi dolls, her favorite boba tea shop - Boba Time, her friends, family and Boba Time's owner - Auntie Cha.
Pearl learns that Boba Time has financial troubles and decides to sell her amigurumi dolls to raise money to help the shop. She starts to navigate the ups and downs of running a business and Pearl realizes that its a bit more complicated than she originally thought....
What a cute middle grade book! I loved learning about Pearl's crafts, the Boba Tea shop, seeing her relationships with her friends and family! It also made me SO hungry for good food and a tasty boba drink!
I loved seeing Pearl realize her mistakes, come into her own as a young girl and see why its important to talk to your parents about what you truly love in life. For a while, I kept saying girl, just talk to them LOL - and loved how it all turned out. I think seeing her stubbornness can be an eye opening lesson for kids reading this book.
Auntie Cha was also super sweet. I love how close she was with her and involved in the It's Boba Time shop.
Her sister Jade was also a great character and I loved seeing her sister relationship and how supportive she was to Pearl.
Overall a solid middle grade story with an uplifting ending! Bonus points for BOBA!
We follow a big hearted Taiwanese American girl - Pearl Li - who has a heart for crafting amigurumi dolls, her favorite boba tea shop - Boba Time, her friends, family and Boba Time's owner - Auntie Cha.
Pearl learns that Boba Time has financial troubles and decides to sell her amigurumi dolls to raise money to help the shop. She starts to navigate the ups and downs of running a business and Pearl realizes that its a bit more complicated than she originally thought....
What a cute middle grade book! I loved learning about Pearl's crafts, the Boba Tea shop, seeing her relationships with her friends and family! It also made me SO hungry for good food and a tasty boba drink!
I loved seeing Pearl realize her mistakes, come into her own as a young girl and see why its important to talk to your parents about what you truly love in life. For a while, I kept saying girl, just talk to them LOL - and loved how it all turned out. I think seeing her stubbornness can be an eye opening lesson for kids reading this book.
Auntie Cha was also super sweet. I love how close she was with her and involved in the It's Boba Time shop.
Her sister Jade was also a great character and I loved seeing her sister relationship and how supportive she was to Pearl.
Overall a solid middle grade story with an uplifting ending! Bonus points for BOBA!
June 2, 2023
3.25 stars! what a fun heartwarming read!
this book was so fun, and the reason i gave it low rating was because it is for more younger audiences, and i would have enjoyed it more if i was a bit younger
pearl li is ready to spend the summer before 7th grade hanging out with her 2 best friends, crocheting the cutest amigurumi dolls, & visiting her favorite tea shop, boba time. its quirky owner, auntie cha, is the only adult pearl can confide in about her art-if only her tech-obsessed family would understand her love of crafts! after pearl learns of boba time's financial troubles, she decides to sell her amigurumi to raise money for the shop. but as she navigates the ups & downs of running a business, pearl realizes that monetizing her passion is more complicated than she could've ever imagined. can pearl save boba time before it's too late?
i had never heard of amigurumi and many other things as well, and that's 1 thing I love about reading about cultures different than my own-learning more about them. she doesn't get it right a lot at first, but she learns what it means to be a open and honest sharing member of her family, and what it means to be a good friend. there's also something brought to light in here that was so refreshing to see discussed… and that's what happens when you take something you love that you do for yourself, and turn it into something for financial gain. taking all the creativity, fun, and joy out of it. also, important to stand up for your passions, and that it's ok to be different from your family, or even what they expect you to be. it's important to tell those we love when something matters to us, and also if something they have said or done has hurt us in some way.
this book was so fun, and the reason i gave it low rating was because it is for more younger audiences, and i would have enjoyed it more if i was a bit younger
pearl li is ready to spend the summer before 7th grade hanging out with her 2 best friends, crocheting the cutest amigurumi dolls, & visiting her favorite tea shop, boba time. its quirky owner, auntie cha, is the only adult pearl can confide in about her art-if only her tech-obsessed family would understand her love of crafts! after pearl learns of boba time's financial troubles, she decides to sell her amigurumi to raise money for the shop. but as she navigates the ups & downs of running a business, pearl realizes that monetizing her passion is more complicated than she could've ever imagined. can pearl save boba time before it's too late?
i had never heard of amigurumi and many other things as well, and that's 1 thing I love about reading about cultures different than my own-learning more about them. she doesn't get it right a lot at first, but she learns what it means to be a open and honest sharing member of her family, and what it means to be a good friend. there's also something brought to light in here that was so refreshing to see discussed… and that's what happens when you take something you love that you do for yourself, and turn it into something for financial gain. taking all the creativity, fun, and joy out of it. also, important to stand up for your passions, and that it's ok to be different from your family, or even what they expect you to be. it's important to tell those we love when something matters to us, and also if something they have said or done has hurt us in some way.
June 18, 2023
*4.5*
I liked this more than I expected I would!! 💞 the first 50 pages or so I was hesitant, but then it definitely got much better. i love the friendships, the crochet, the boba, and art in this book. I also like how it's a perfect example of how almost anything can be fixed if you 👏 just 👏 communicate 👏!!!
Pearl was a bit annoying at times, and I did not agree with her opinions, but then I remembered that she's just a kid who wants her art to be appreciated. 🫶
loved the ending of the book, too, and i like her resolved relationship with her family. this book radiates with good energy and summer vibes, and I'm here for it. ☀️🧋🌸🧶🧁
I liked this more than I expected I would!! 💞 the first 50 pages or so I was hesitant, but then it definitely got much better. i love the friendships, the crochet, the boba, and art in this book. I also like how it's a perfect example of how almost anything can be fixed if you 👏 just 👏 communicate 👏!!!
Pearl was a bit annoying at times, and I did not agree with her opinions, but then I remembered that she's just a kid who wants her art to be appreciated. 🫶
loved the ending of the book, too, and i like her resolved relationship with her family. this book radiates with good energy and summer vibes, and I'm here for it. ☀️🧋🌸🧶🧁
November 23, 2022
Going back to work was stressful. Thank goodness for books like this that help me cope. It's a wonderful read with tons of humor and heart. Loved my time with Pearl. I love books like these that encourage children to have agency in their lives.
I am now more adventurous when ordering Boba Tea.
I am now more adventurous when ordering Boba Tea.
March 17, 2024
It’s always Boba Time for me! 💜🤩🤩 I really enjoyed this middle grade coming of age story. FOR FIRST THE BOBA descriptions and the FOOD. So descriptive and mouth watering. It was so cool to recognize some of the boba drinks and being familiar with how they taste. For example the Jasmine Tea Boba or Lemon Tea with lychee. So good!!
I loved the characters development and Asian American family dynamics as well as the exploration of Asian culture and perceptions within its community. The themes of friendship, honesty and courage are handled beautifully and were so charming to read on page. I had a fantastic time reading this book!
I highly recommend💜🔥
I loved the characters development and Asian American family dynamics as well as the exploration of Asian culture and perceptions within its community. The themes of friendship, honesty and courage are handled beautifully and were so charming to read on page. I had a fantastic time reading this book!
I highly recommend💜🔥
September 3, 2023
sept 2023 update: nah, this deserves 2.5-3 stars because fuck capitalism and hustle culture.
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it's boba time for pearl li! would have been a 6-star read if i were in middle or high school which is why i still gave it full stars despite my many gripes. as an adult, it's closer to a 3-star read for a number of reasons. i am no longer the target demographic and it (rightfully) reads too young for me at my big age of 30. the novel crumbles into the same pitfalls that most other "coming of age" middle grade books do: pearl wants to help keep her favorite boba shop alive by capitalizing on her craft but she's held back by her insecurities. all that is fine, but the insecurity and the way it held her back as much as it did was not for me (literally). it's still a 5-star read and i'd still recommend it to a younger audience but i had A LOT of issues with this book (reviews are for readers; please turn away if you have a personal relationship with the author):
there was a line where an adult said to pearl, "you're not a kid anymore, you're a young woman" and that's wrong on so many levels. pearl isn't even in 8th grade and, even if she were in high school, she is still a child. calling a girl, especially one who is barely a teenager, a "young woman" is dangerous rhetoric. even at 18 (in america), they're an adult only by law. they're still too naive and inexperienced to know anything about the world. we can't be writing books targeted towards kids and talking to them like they're adults because they'll grow up thinking that everything that comes with the word "woman" applies to them when they're still children.
pearl was also made to feel bad for speaking chinese because her friend doesn't speak it as well. on the one hand, this is a real experience that needs more representation in media. american schools scare parents into believing their children will fail in life if they don't speak/write in english at home (newsflash: it's not true) and that's one of the biggest fears for immigrant parents. it feels bad not being able to speak our native tongue, BUT it's also wrong to make others feel bad for being able to do so and there wasn't a resolution that drove that point home. pearl was mean to her best friend which i wouldn't have had a problem with but it took too long to get resolved. she didn't gain enough confidence in herself to apologize until the end so it's realistic but again, it's mostly a "me" problem and children reading will feel differently. it's important for kids/teens to see that they're not alone in their insecurities and that they're not the only ones to miscommunicate their feelings.
it's inappropriate when people turn asian names into english puns because it happens all the freakin' time and it needs to stop. this barely straddles that line (pearl = boba) and it's more of a cute thing than anything else so i give it a pass. also the need to attach japanese words randomly to titles was weird. pearl calls her business "kawaii crotchet" and she's not japanese. don't get me wrong, being east asian in america and japanese culture having as big a presence in the media as it did/does is a big deal to us. however, that part of our culture shouldn't be such a focal point without criticism because it plays into how southeast/east asians in the global north put japan on a pedestal. it's like how americans are obsessed with british accents when it's a weird thing to be obsessed about. i wish pearl named it "可爱 crotchet" instead (kě ài; kuh-eye; cute). it's just as effective and it displays pride in her own identity.
the last big point of contention that i want to touch on is the pro-capitalist narrative. while i'm fine with people finding love in a hobby and willingly turning that passion into a business, i'm sick of the push to capitalize on everything a person loves. good at art? start selling it on etsy. show an aptitude for music? make a mixtape to send to producers. love video games? start streaming on twitch. it's always "capitalism, capitalism, capitalism, hustle, hustle, hustle" and that message is really damaging and needs to stop. i hate that it's starting this young because capitalism is what's killing cultures, the environment, the arts, people's ability to be in social environments and not be karens, etc. pearl’s intentions for starting up a business were good, but the impact of this narrative targeted towards kids is ultimately a negative. hustle culture needs to die, employees deserve to sit, they deserve to have benefits, they deserve longer breaks, better working conditions, better hours, better pay, and they need rest from the exploitation of corporate greed. people need to be allowed to just love things to love it and find things to enjoy without thinking about how they can make money off of it.
i know i've done nothing except rail on this book, but i really do enjoy it's boba time for pearl li! and i think it's a necessary story for kids/teens to have access to. there aren't enough books out there that even touch on these subjects, especially from a taiwanese girl's point of view. it's another important voice to aapi culture and nicole chen's expert ability to portray an east asian girl's insecurities wrestling with school, family, hobbies, and friendships is invaluable to aapi middle grade storytelling. i just wish it weren’t couched between so many issues. also now i want boba (but i always do; it runs in my veins lol).
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it's boba time for pearl li! would have been a 6-star read if i were in middle or high school which is why i still gave it full stars despite my many gripes. as an adult, it's closer to a 3-star read for a number of reasons. i am no longer the target demographic and it (rightfully) reads too young for me at my big age of 30. the novel crumbles into the same pitfalls that most other "coming of age" middle grade books do: pearl wants to help keep her favorite boba shop alive by capitalizing on her craft but she's held back by her insecurities. all that is fine, but the insecurity and the way it held her back as much as it did was not for me (literally). it's still a 5-star read and i'd still recommend it to a younger audience but i had A LOT of issues with this book (reviews are for readers; please turn away if you have a personal relationship with the author):
there was a line where an adult said to pearl, "you're not a kid anymore, you're a young woman" and that's wrong on so many levels. pearl isn't even in 8th grade and, even if she were in high school, she is still a child. calling a girl, especially one who is barely a teenager, a "young woman" is dangerous rhetoric. even at 18 (in america), they're an adult only by law. they're still too naive and inexperienced to know anything about the world. we can't be writing books targeted towards kids and talking to them like they're adults because they'll grow up thinking that everything that comes with the word "woman" applies to them when they're still children.
pearl was also made to feel bad for speaking chinese because her friend doesn't speak it as well. on the one hand, this is a real experience that needs more representation in media. american schools scare parents into believing their children will fail in life if they don't speak/write in english at home (newsflash: it's not true) and that's one of the biggest fears for immigrant parents. it feels bad not being able to speak our native tongue, BUT it's also wrong to make others feel bad for being able to do so and there wasn't a resolution that drove that point home. pearl was mean to her best friend which i wouldn't have had a problem with but it took too long to get resolved. she didn't gain enough confidence in herself to apologize until the end so it's realistic but again, it's mostly a "me" problem and children reading will feel differently. it's important for kids/teens to see that they're not alone in their insecurities and that they're not the only ones to miscommunicate their feelings.
it's inappropriate when people turn asian names into english puns because it happens all the freakin' time and it needs to stop. this barely straddles that line (pearl = boba) and it's more of a cute thing than anything else so i give it a pass. also the need to attach japanese words randomly to titles was weird. pearl calls her business "kawaii crotchet" and she's not japanese. don't get me wrong, being east asian in america and japanese culture having as big a presence in the media as it did/does is a big deal to us. however, that part of our culture shouldn't be such a focal point without criticism because it plays into how southeast/east asians in the global north put japan on a pedestal. it's like how americans are obsessed with british accents when it's a weird thing to be obsessed about. i wish pearl named it "可爱 crotchet" instead (kě ài; kuh-eye; cute). it's just as effective and it displays pride in her own identity.
the last big point of contention that i want to touch on is the pro-capitalist narrative. while i'm fine with people finding love in a hobby and willingly turning that passion into a business, i'm sick of the push to capitalize on everything a person loves. good at art? start selling it on etsy. show an aptitude for music? make a mixtape to send to producers. love video games? start streaming on twitch. it's always "capitalism, capitalism, capitalism, hustle, hustle, hustle" and that message is really damaging and needs to stop. i hate that it's starting this young because capitalism is what's killing cultures, the environment, the arts, people's ability to be in social environments and not be karens, etc. pearl’s intentions for starting up a business were good, but the impact of this narrative targeted towards kids is ultimately a negative. hustle culture needs to die, employees deserve to sit, they deserve to have benefits, they deserve longer breaks, better working conditions, better hours, better pay, and they need rest from the exploitation of corporate greed. people need to be allowed to just love things to love it and find things to enjoy without thinking about how they can make money off of it.
i know i've done nothing except rail on this book, but i really do enjoy it's boba time for pearl li! and i think it's a necessary story for kids/teens to have access to. there aren't enough books out there that even touch on these subjects, especially from a taiwanese girl's point of view. it's another important voice to aapi culture and nicole chen's expert ability to portray an east asian girl's insecurities wrestling with school, family, hobbies, and friendships is invaluable to aapi middle grade storytelling. i just wish it weren’t couched between so many issues. also now i want boba (but i always do; it runs in my veins lol).
April 7, 2023
It’s Boba Time for Pearl Li! is a sweet, heartwarming middle grade novel about crafting, entrepreneurship, friendship, and navigating parental expectations. This is an excellent book for showing kids the ins-and-outs of running a successful business, down to marketing, setting pricing, and customer relations. It’s also a great addition to the lineup of books addressing the parental pressure to excel in science/engineering over creative pursuits. This one’s a delightful debut that I totally recommend — I’d choose the audiobook over the print version, too!
Full review: https://readingmiddlegrade.com/its-bo...
Full review: https://readingmiddlegrade.com/its-bo...
January 18, 2025
Such a sweet, heartfelt read! Pearl was a great character to follow, and even though some of her decisions stressed me out along the way, I was really happy with how things turned out.
Lots of thought-provoking themes, and as a small business owner and creative myself, I related to a lot of this. Also, boba is life!
Lots of thought-provoking themes, and as a small business owner and creative myself, I related to a lot of this. Also, boba is life!
February 12, 2024
I enjoyed reading this middle-grade book, which follows Pearl as she turns into an entrepreneur to try and save her beloved tea hangout.
Audiobook source: Hoopla
Narrator: Katharine Chin
Length: 7H 31M
October 5, 2025
While this was cute, I had a couple issues. I liked Pearl’s motivation for wanting to help out her favorite boba place. However, her actions were a bit selfish. Also, within her plans, she lied to her parents a lot. I hate when that’s in books for kids. She did it multiple times so it bothered me a bit. But overall the story was good and I liked her business plans and seeing that come together.
November 5, 2025
This book is overflowing with creativity, boba, entrepreneurship, and relationships. Such a feel-good read! This felt like a warm hug. Loved the audio.
January 6, 2023
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Pearl lives in Sunnyside, California with her older sister Pearl and her parents, who have just started a tech company and spend long hours working. Originally from Taiwan, they've encouraged the girls to continue to communicate in Mandarin, although they can understand Taiwanese. Since her parents are frequently working longs hours, and her sister has not only her high school courses but coding projects that keep her hunched over a computer, Pearl is often left to her own devices. This isn't too much of a problem, as she loves to hang out with long time friend, Priya, who is artistic and fiercely defends Pearl, and new friend Cindy, who has just come to the US from Hong Kong. Pearl spends a lot of time crocheting arimgurumi animals. A local cafe, Boba Time, is run by Auntie Cha, who encourages Pearl's needlework and also offers a sympathetic ear when Pearl isn't able to spend time with her parents. Because her crocheting projects are cute, her mother considers them not a good past time, and wants Pearl to take up coding instead. Auntie Cha understands, helps Pearl if she needs tips or advice, offers tea and comfort, and seems to understand her better than her own family. When Pearl finds out that Boba Time might close, she panics, and comes up with a plan to help the cafe out by selling her arimgurumi creations online. There are lots of obstacles, but she also manages to raise enough money to have a booth at a local crafts fair that thousands attend, so she hopes to be able to raise the money needed and therefore keep the cafe open. Some of this entrepreneurship involves lying to her parents, and Jade eventually finds this out. Since Jade successfully marketed a phone app, she agrees to help Pearl with her ruse, not tell their parents, and make sure that Pearl is able to sell some things. While this is all going on, there are problems with her friends. Priya, whose family is of Indian descent, sometimes feels left out when Cindy and Pearl converse in Mandarin, and Pearl is so single minded in her pursuit of raising funds that she often ignores her friends needs, and they fall out. Oddly, she makes some peace with her nemesis at school, Kendall Stewart, who is part Asian and trying to learn to enjoy some of the cultural things like boba tea and origami that her grandmother likes. If Pearl's parents find out about her business, will they put an end to it? And will Boba Time be able to survive when Auntie Cha has reasons beyond the monetary to close up shop?
Strengths: WE NEED MORE NEEDLECRAFT BOOKS!!! I'm sorry, did I just scream that? If you've read my blog for a while, and especially if you follow me on Instagram, you will know how ridiculously fond I am of knitting, sewing, and quilting. When did I start? When I was four. By the time I was in middle school I was making my own clothes and really into needlework. I have several students now who are pursuing these endeavors, and I can think of no books that show students doing these things! Not only that, but there were many good things for readers who aren't as into crafts. There's boba tea! A local cafe! Friend drama! Entrepreneurship! I was especially impressed with the details about that. Business plans, profit statements, online shop setting up. Not only that, but the ways around her parents that Pearl found seemed completely logical and reasonable. I've read a lot of middle grade books that did not seem feasible, but this very deliberately made Pearl's actions seem possible. I loved Jade, the story with Kendall was intriguing, and, of course, there was some really cute crochet!
Weaknesses: There are always people who aren't thrilled when children lie to their parents, but Pearl and her mother were able to eventually have some good dialogue about everything that was going on. There was also a comment that Cindy has to keep taking ELL classes because the principal wanted her to; in Ohio, there are very strict rules a bout ELL. Students have to test out of the classes to stop recieving services (which are meant to be supportive, not punitive!), but can also be excused from them if parents request it.
What I really think: I really enjoyed this one. There was a lot going on, and writing the review I realized that this could have been a bit more streamlined, but I was able to remember the characters well, and all the subplots, so I don't think this will be too confusing for my students. Like Pearl's enthusiasm, which carries her forward even though she hasn't thought her plans through all the way, the upbeat tone and interest in different topics propels this book quickly toward its conclusion. I'll be interested to see what Ms. Chen writes next.
Pearl lives in Sunnyside, California with her older sister Pearl and her parents, who have just started a tech company and spend long hours working. Originally from Taiwan, they've encouraged the girls to continue to communicate in Mandarin, although they can understand Taiwanese. Since her parents are frequently working longs hours, and her sister has not only her high school courses but coding projects that keep her hunched over a computer, Pearl is often left to her own devices. This isn't too much of a problem, as she loves to hang out with long time friend, Priya, who is artistic and fiercely defends Pearl, and new friend Cindy, who has just come to the US from Hong Kong. Pearl spends a lot of time crocheting arimgurumi animals. A local cafe, Boba Time, is run by Auntie Cha, who encourages Pearl's needlework and also offers a sympathetic ear when Pearl isn't able to spend time with her parents. Because her crocheting projects are cute, her mother considers them not a good past time, and wants Pearl to take up coding instead. Auntie Cha understands, helps Pearl if she needs tips or advice, offers tea and comfort, and seems to understand her better than her own family. When Pearl finds out that Boba Time might close, she panics, and comes up with a plan to help the cafe out by selling her arimgurumi creations online. There are lots of obstacles, but she also manages to raise enough money to have a booth at a local crafts fair that thousands attend, so she hopes to be able to raise the money needed and therefore keep the cafe open. Some of this entrepreneurship involves lying to her parents, and Jade eventually finds this out. Since Jade successfully marketed a phone app, she agrees to help Pearl with her ruse, not tell their parents, and make sure that Pearl is able to sell some things. While this is all going on, there are problems with her friends. Priya, whose family is of Indian descent, sometimes feels left out when Cindy and Pearl converse in Mandarin, and Pearl is so single minded in her pursuit of raising funds that she often ignores her friends needs, and they fall out. Oddly, she makes some peace with her nemesis at school, Kendall Stewart, who is part Asian and trying to learn to enjoy some of the cultural things like boba tea and origami that her grandmother likes. If Pearl's parents find out about her business, will they put an end to it? And will Boba Time be able to survive when Auntie Cha has reasons beyond the monetary to close up shop?
Strengths: WE NEED MORE NEEDLECRAFT BOOKS!!! I'm sorry, did I just scream that? If you've read my blog for a while, and especially if you follow me on Instagram, you will know how ridiculously fond I am of knitting, sewing, and quilting. When did I start? When I was four. By the time I was in middle school I was making my own clothes and really into needlework. I have several students now who are pursuing these endeavors, and I can think of no books that show students doing these things! Not only that, but there were many good things for readers who aren't as into crafts. There's boba tea! A local cafe! Friend drama! Entrepreneurship! I was especially impressed with the details about that. Business plans, profit statements, online shop setting up. Not only that, but the ways around her parents that Pearl found seemed completely logical and reasonable. I've read a lot of middle grade books that did not seem feasible, but this very deliberately made Pearl's actions seem possible. I loved Jade, the story with Kendall was intriguing, and, of course, there was some really cute crochet!
Weaknesses: There are always people who aren't thrilled when children lie to their parents, but Pearl and her mother were able to eventually have some good dialogue about everything that was going on. There was also a comment that Cindy has to keep taking ELL classes because the principal wanted her to; in Ohio, there are very strict rules a bout ELL. Students have to test out of the classes to stop recieving services (which are meant to be supportive, not punitive!), but can also be excused from them if parents request it.
What I really think: I really enjoyed this one. There was a lot going on, and writing the review I realized that this could have been a bit more streamlined, but I was able to remember the characters well, and all the subplots, so I don't think this will be too confusing for my students. Like Pearl's enthusiasm, which carries her forward even though she hasn't thought her plans through all the way, the upbeat tone and interest in different topics propels this book quickly toward its conclusion. I'll be interested to see what Ms. Chen writes next.
October 28, 2022
I’m so excited for this new wave of diverse middle grade fiction! I would have loved to read these books as a kid, and it’s incredibly important to see representation on the page. I also really loved how It’s Boba Time, Pearl Li does not focus on racism. Instead it’s about a normal American girl who is Taiwanese. It’s important to normalize MC of different ethnicities instead of shoving them into a box where their books can only be about racism.
It’s Boba Time for Pearl Li is about a seventh grade girl who discovers her favorite boba shop is about to close. She’s determined to help the owner, Auntie Cha, and decides to start her own business and sell amigurumi dolls. But running a business is more complicated than she thought. What happens when her friend and family drama get in the way of saving the boba shop?
I felt like Pearl was very relatable especially for middle school girls. She’s still trying to figure herself out and stand up for herself. She was also relatively selfish at times. I think that it was frustrating, but it also made sense for her age. She had to learn how to think about and consider others, and I loved watching her grow and mature. I think Chen did a great job of showing Pearl’s growth in her friendships and showing the importance of saying sorry when you mess up.
I loved her friends! I love the diversity in their group and also I loved watching them learn how to interact. Friendships are so hard especially in middle school, but it was cool to see a solid group of girlfriends with no romance! Definitely a fan of romance, but I think in middle school friendships are more important. Pearl also had to learn how to deal with family relationships.
I like learning about Pearl’s family and how different they all were. But I didn’t love how the family aspect was handled. Pearl ends up lying to her parents in the book, and in the end, her fault is glossed over. Chen focuses more on how her mother should have been more supportive of her crafts. I think there were definitely communication issues on both sides, but I would have liked to see equal responsibility taken from both sides. And it was odd to me how the dad in the story didn’t really have a role. He seemed to be there simply to be there, and while I admire the strong female relationships, I wanted to see his part in the family.
However, I did enjoy seeing the different dynamics. It felt really real, and I think it showed the importance again of good communication. There were a lot of great lessons in this book including one about business and entrepreneurship. However, the lessons felt natural, and they weren’t shoved down your throat.
I would definitely recommend this book to any tween girl! It’s a fun, clean, read about family, friends, and talking to your loved ones.
Highlights:
Strong female friendships
Sisterly bonds
Not judging others
Importance of communication
Racially diverse characters just going through life
Business/entrepreneurship lessons
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.
It’s Boba Time for Pearl Li is about a seventh grade girl who discovers her favorite boba shop is about to close. She’s determined to help the owner, Auntie Cha, and decides to start her own business and sell amigurumi dolls. But running a business is more complicated than she thought. What happens when her friend and family drama get in the way of saving the boba shop?
I felt like Pearl was very relatable especially for middle school girls. She’s still trying to figure herself out and stand up for herself. She was also relatively selfish at times. I think that it was frustrating, but it also made sense for her age. She had to learn how to think about and consider others, and I loved watching her grow and mature. I think Chen did a great job of showing Pearl’s growth in her friendships and showing the importance of saying sorry when you mess up.
I loved her friends! I love the diversity in their group and also I loved watching them learn how to interact. Friendships are so hard especially in middle school, but it was cool to see a solid group of girlfriends with no romance! Definitely a fan of romance, but I think in middle school friendships are more important. Pearl also had to learn how to deal with family relationships.
I like learning about Pearl’s family and how different they all were. But I didn’t love how the family aspect was handled. Pearl ends up lying to her parents in the book, and in the end, her fault is glossed over. Chen focuses more on how her mother should have been more supportive of her crafts. I think there were definitely communication issues on both sides, but I would have liked to see equal responsibility taken from both sides. And it was odd to me how the dad in the story didn’t really have a role. He seemed to be there simply to be there, and while I admire the strong female relationships, I wanted to see his part in the family.
However, I did enjoy seeing the different dynamics. It felt really real, and I think it showed the importance again of good communication. There were a lot of great lessons in this book including one about business and entrepreneurship. However, the lessons felt natural, and they weren’t shoved down your throat.
I would definitely recommend this book to any tween girl! It’s a fun, clean, read about family, friends, and talking to your loved ones.
Highlights:
Strong female friendships
Sisterly bonds
Not judging others
Importance of communication
Racially diverse characters just going through life
Business/entrepreneurship lessons
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.
April 6, 2023
What a fun heartwarming read! Had such a great time with this! Pearl Li is ready to spend the summer before 7th grade hanging out with her 2 best friends, crocheting the cutest amigurumi dolls, & visiting her favorite tea shop, Boba Time. Its quirky owner, Auntie Cha, is the only adult Pearl can confide in about her art-if only her tech-obsessed family would understand her love of crafts! After Pearl learns of Boba Time's financial troubles, she decides to sell her amigurumi to raise money for the shop. But as she navigates the ups & downs of running a business, Pearl realizes that monetizing her passion is more complicated than she could've ever imagined. Can Pearl save Boba Time before it's too late? It was so great reading a book with such a big love for crafts! I had never heard of amigurumi & many other things as well, & that's 1 thing I love about reading about cultures different than my own-learning more about them. It will be very relatable for kids while reading about Pearl navigating the right paths with her family & friendships. She doesn't get it right a lot at first, but she learns what it means to be a open & honest sharing member of her family, & what it means to be a good friend. There's also something brought to light in here that was so refreshing to see discussed..& that's what happens when you take something you love that you do for yourself, & turn it into something for financial gain..taking all the creativity, fun, & joy out of it. Also, important to stand up for your passions, & that it's ok to be different from your family, or even what they expect you to be. It's important to tell those we love when something MATTERS to us, & also if something they have said or done has hurt us in some way. They'll never know otherwise. I also loved the "bully" story, & the direction it took. Such a refreshing take & I loved it so much. Highly recommend. STUNNING cover by Kat Tsai too.💜
May 9, 2023
A feel-good middle grade novel about an artistic and enterprising preteen whose Taiwanese American family values coding over crafting. When Pearl Li learns that her favorite Boba tea shop faces financial troubles, she starts selling her amigurumi (little crocheted creatures like robots and cats) to raise money and hopefully save the shop. But her mother disapproves, so Pearl maintains her online shop in secret, creating a rift between our budding entrepreneur, her two best friends, and her family.
As an Etsy seller (and a former kidrepreneur) myself, I loved how the author weaves in business concepts like inventory, pilot testing, and search engine optimization without distracting from the story. I also related to Pearl's determination to prove her business and save Boba Time. The relationship with her "perfect" older sister Jade reminds me of Claudia and Janine in the Babysitter's Club. All in all, a very enjoyable read, especially if you like crafting, entrepreneurship, and/or boba tea.
As an Etsy seller (and a former kidrepreneur) myself, I loved how the author weaves in business concepts like inventory, pilot testing, and search engine optimization without distracting from the story. I also related to Pearl's determination to prove her business and save Boba Time. The relationship with her "perfect" older sister Jade reminds me of Claudia and Janine in the Babysitter's Club. All in all, a very enjoyable read, especially if you like crafting, entrepreneurship, and/or boba tea.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2022
my GOD this book is adorable. love a little businesswoman!! also really appreciated this book’s focus on female friendship and family and embracing your culture, it was just all so wonderful. 10 year old ann would have eaten this up SO hard
September 18, 2022
I had mistakenly assumed this book was a graphic novel. Thank goodness I made that “mistake”- what a great MG book.
I loved the storyline and themes of being true to yourself, creating just to make yourself feel happy and being proud of yourself and the things that make you feel joy. What an empowering children’s fiction book. The characters are well developed and by the end of the first chapter I wanted to hang out with Pearl in the boba tea shop and watch her make her amigurumi characters. The amazing connection that Pearl has with Auntie Chen, the owner of the tea shop and not an actual member of her family. And the amazing lengths Pearl went to help what she meant the world to her despite the lack of support from her parents.
What a powerful message for kids who are learning who they are, and parents who tend to forget this important lesson at any age.
P.S please make me an Oscar too 😊
Grateful to have received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley & HarperCollins Children's Books, Quill Tree Books
I loved the storyline and themes of being true to yourself, creating just to make yourself feel happy and being proud of yourself and the things that make you feel joy. What an empowering children’s fiction book. The characters are well developed and by the end of the first chapter I wanted to hang out with Pearl in the boba tea shop and watch her make her amigurumi characters. The amazing connection that Pearl has with Auntie Chen, the owner of the tea shop and not an actual member of her family. And the amazing lengths Pearl went to help what she meant the world to her despite the lack of support from her parents.
What a powerful message for kids who are learning who they are, and parents who tend to forget this important lesson at any age.
P.S please make me an Oscar too 😊
Grateful to have received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley & HarperCollins Children's Books, Quill Tree Books
February 25, 2023
Pearl discovered amigurumi while on a family trip to Taiwan and has become really good at crocheting the super cute dolls. Unfortunately, her mother doesn't see the value of handmade crafts and is constantly pushing her towards tech and coding like the rest of the family, so she can be a "modern girl." Pearl's safe place is Auntie Cha's Boba Time tea shop. (Not to be confused with the actual chain, It's Boba Time.) When she learns that Boba Time may close due to financial hardships, Pearl launches a campaign to sell her amigurumi and save the store. Along the way she loses the support of her closest friends and gets wrapped up in a web of lies to her mother. With the help of her older sister and Auntie Cha, she is finally able to let those closest to her understand what she truly loves. A great book for middle schoolers feeling like their parents just don't get them. Recommended for grades 4 & up.
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
January 5, 2026
My oh my!
First read of 2026 and I absolutely adored it!
Pearl is absolutely just like every young pre teen.. full of hope, excitement, and joy! I absolutely enjoyed her character so much in this read.
This was the first time since maybe high school that i’ve enjoyed a younger book. I think that’s what you can call it? I found this book in a tiny library near my hometown!
Pearl Li teaches you to never give up on your dreams, always respect your elders, and always ALWAYS to keep your head up! She learned so much on how to be an entrepreneur and how to find her own voice. She is so smart!
Great read :)
First read of 2026 and I absolutely adored it!
Pearl is absolutely just like every young pre teen.. full of hope, excitement, and joy! I absolutely enjoyed her character so much in this read.
This was the first time since maybe high school that i’ve enjoyed a younger book. I think that’s what you can call it? I found this book in a tiny library near my hometown!
Pearl Li teaches you to never give up on your dreams, always respect your elders, and always ALWAYS to keep your head up! She learned so much on how to be an entrepreneur and how to find her own voice. She is so smart!
Great read :)
October 4, 2022
Thank you to HarperCollins Children's Books and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
This book was great! It was the right mix of cozy, cute, and lesson oriented. I thought that the characters were complex and believable and each character brought something to the plot. I loved the exploration of different types of relationships (friends, sisters, daughter, mentor, "enemies"). I also liked that though everything did not go according to plan all of the characters grew. Also, I wish I could buy an Oscar. Definitely recommend.
This book was great! It was the right mix of cozy, cute, and lesson oriented. I thought that the characters were complex and believable and each character brought something to the plot. I loved the exploration of different types of relationships (friends, sisters, daughter, mentor, "enemies"). I also liked that though everything did not go according to plan all of the characters grew. Also, I wish I could buy an Oscar. Definitely recommend.
March 15, 2023
This is one of those middle grade books that feels like a warm hug and is honestly just the sweetest thing (and made me want boba).
I received an ecopy of this book through Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own.
I received an ecopy of this book through Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own.
October 31, 2023
Read this with my kid. Really nice story about a teen who worries that her favorite boba tea store will have to close and devises a plan to save it.
My kid really responded to both the main character's love of crafting and her entrepreneurial spirit. I appreciated the characterization of Pearl and her parents.
My kid really responded to both the main character's love of crafting and her entrepreneurial spirit. I appreciated the characterization of Pearl and her parents.
February 12, 2023
Zamm 🥵😻😍
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2024
Very cute, lots of fun explorations of different Asian cultures. I’ve never read a middle grade that dives into a tween starting and running a business. Pairs well with Ruby Lost and Found.
October 15, 2024
It was a good book. Love the plot and how she learned not be selfish and she needed to think about how other people felt.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2024
Really cute story about Taiwanese culure, family bonds and how if your hobby also becomes a source of income, you might lose the passion.
May 5, 2025
This was such a lovely read with so many meaningful lessons. It also made me pick up my crochet project again which is a win.
April 25, 2023
Usually I’m not someone who gives 5 stars to a realistic fiction but I really enjoyed reading this book! I liked how Pearl’s relationship between her and her mom really grew at the end, and I also just really liked how the book ended in general. I also thought it was interesting learning how small online businesses run and work, and how Pearl had to approach different situations!
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