Parachute Kids: A Graphic Novel

Parachute Kids #1

by Betty C. Tang

**National Book Award Longlist Title**

**Asian/Pacific American Award Honor Book**

This funny, fast-paced, and heartrending story about three siblings living on their own as undocumented new immigrants is perfect for fans of New Kid and Front Desk.



A DREAM TRIP TO AMERICA TURNS INTO A NIGHTMARE!

Feng-Li can't wait to discover America with her family! But after an action-packed vacation, her parents deliver shocking They are returning to Taiwan and leaving Feng-Li and her older siblings in California on their own.

Suddenly, the three kids must fend for themselves in a strange new world--and get along. Starting a new school, learning a new language, and trying to make new friends while managing a household is hard enough, but Bro and Sis's constant bickering makes everything worse. Thankfully, there are some hilarious moments to balance the stress and loneliness. But as tensions escalate--and all three kids get tangled in a web of bad choices--can Feng-Li keep her family together?

Genres: Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Family, Fiction, LGBT

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 4, 2023

Reviews

[Bookishrealm]

I learned a lot about parachute kids through Kelly Yang's book Parachutes and that was a difficult book. This is also a difficult read, but written and designed in a way that is accessible to a middle grade audience. Prepare yourself for a rollercoaster of ride with this one. CW: racism, underage smoking, stealing. 4.5 Stars

Parachute Kids has been on my radar for a while! I remember when I originally added to a cart to purchase it for my library. It follows three siblings who are first led to believe that they are leaving Taiwan to visit the United States for vacation. Unbeknownst to them, their parents made the plan to leave them in the United States for better opportunities while they returned to Taiwan. The siblings are resilient, but also struggle with managing themselves, their household, and each other without parental guidance.

What Worked: This was such a great read. I think that these are the types of books that should be required reading in school. As Tang stated in the author's note, this isn't the experience of every parachute kid; however, it's a great place to start to learn more about someone's experience outside of your own. Even as an adult, I am in awe about how much both the parents and children sacrifice just for the opportunity to do better in the United States. As a parent, I struggle with the idea of even leaving my child for a couple of days let alone months at a time. Tang does an excellent job exploring the relationships between the siblings. There are no perfect moments even towards the end of the story. I also think that the artwork was mind-blowingly beautiful. Tang captures was put into the creation of this one.

What Didn't Work: This was almost a perfect book! I felt the most for Ke-Gang. While I can't say why because of spoilers, I wish that Tang took the opportunity to explore him more in the story. Sometimes it felt as though he was in the foreground of the story until he was shifted to the background.

Overall, this was a great read! I really enjoyed and learned so much. Definitely recommend.

[Rod Brown]

I was unfamiliar with the concept of parachute kids before reading this graphic novel about Taiwanese parents who take their children on a Disneyland vacation only to leave the kids behind to live on their own in an apartment -- overstaying their visas and attending California schools -- while the parents return to Taiwan to seek immigration through regular channels.

The younger sister, ten, is at the center of the story, trying to cope with isolation and bullying at school and her bickering siblings at home. The sixteen-year-old sister is super motivated to study hard and get into Harvard but starts to feel the pressure of also being a parent to her siblings. The brother in the middle, fourteen, is the black sheep of the family with the tendency to fall in with bad influences while poorly coping with a stressful secret.

In some ways it's a modern version of The Boxcar Children with the kids keeping house while having various misadventures that will build their character in the end.

(Best of 2023 Project: I'm reading all the graphic novels that made it onto one or more of these lists:
• Washington Post 10 Best Graphic Novels of 2023
• Publishers Weekly 2023 Graphic Novel Critics Poll
• NPR's Books We Love 2023: Favorite Comics and Graphic Novels

This book made the NPR list.)

[Eli]

** As a non-Asian reader, it will be hard for me to explain why the premise of this book did not sit well with me. Latinx undocumented characters who come to the US get branded as “illegals” and can’t get out of that box happen often in immigrant stories and presentations in media. The privilege of this story is never acknowledged. And I get that it’s based off the authors real life, but oof...Parents from Latin American countries who send their children alone to the US are harangued constantly and labeled as bad parents that border agents will punish them. Black parents who leave their kids alone are arrested and have their kids taken away by CPS. So the story just made me sad. Even if the kids were all scrappy trying to make the best of the worst. The brothers queerness is left as something that cannot be discussed and shown as vaguely bad and possibly why they left the country in the first place? It’s a loose end that’s not wrapped up.

“Parachute Kids” as a term really tries to extrapolate itself from the negative connotations of the word “immigrant” similar to Americans abroad calling themselves “expats.” It also derives a certain monetary luxury to be able to afford that these children can live abroad like this (after visiting all over Los Angeles tourism spots and Disneyland - don’t believe me? Look up the definition on Urban Dictionary). It leaves a bad taste in my mouth. If you’re an adult reader reading this review, read Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio to see the perspective of how immigration can separate and traumatize families.

I also want to add that the dog food part seems like it should be a funny tidbit but I still think about this months later. It’s so damn sad and heartbreaking. Thanks mom and dad :(

[Janssen]

finished this after we'd already met for our mother/daughter book club. It was fine but not great for me

[Ricki]

Too sad and stressful for my taste. The main character is 10, but the struggles her family goes through are too intense for a 10-year-old to read about (e.g. her sister gets scammed out of almost all their money, then becomes so depressed she can’t get out of bed for days; her brother makes a move on his bad-influence friend, but he pushes him away and he falls down an embankment, getting horribly injured—all while their parents are in Taiwan and they have no support). The story tries to pull up and have a moderately hopeful ending, but it still feels grim because the kids remain alone in America without their parents. Their future remains unclear, and it doesn’t seem to me like their parents’ gamble on the American dream will be worth everyone’s huge sacrifices. There’s too much trauma and not enough resolution.

Here’s another review of this book that I agreed with:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Similar stories that I loved are Front Desk and Almost American Girl.

[Ms. B]

Don't let this lighthearted (IMO) cover fool you, this is a heavy story about three Taiwanese children whose parents leave them in California for a better life and opportunities in the United States in the 1980s while they return to Taiwan to earn for their children to live and survive. Once on their own, it's one mishap a scam, an accident that leads to hospital bills, etc).
Fans of Raina Telgemeier's Drama, those with Asian Pacific Islander heritage, and anyone who wonders or fantasizes about growing up without parents to tell you what to do will want to give this 2023 National Book Awards Longlist for Young People’s Literature contender a try.

[Jennifer Mangler]

I enjoyed most of the book but the treatment of the queer brother was not okay. I hate how his queerness was brought up and frowned upon and then never discussed again. I just can't give the book more than two stars and it's because of that storyline.

[laurel [the suspected bibliophile]]

A middle-grade graphic novel of one girl's move from Taiwan to the United States—with just her siblings.

This was a really, really good graphic novel filled with heart and heartbreaking choices as Feng-Li/Ann struggles to find her footing in a new country, a new school, surrounded by people whose language she doesn't speak (yet). Coupled with the fact that her parents have to go back to Taiwan because their visas have expired and with her older siblings bickering and them having to live on their own...it was a lot!

I really loved Big Sis/Jessie, the high-achieving eldest child who struggles with not being the son in the family and being forced to set aside her own goals to take care of her family. She had to make a lot of hard choices, all made harder with the fact that Ann was too young to help with a lot of things, and her brother had things of his own on his mind. Anywho, I related to her character a lot.

[Andrew Eder]

Omg talk about being punched in the feelings!! This is a story about kids who deserve everything and yet nothing goes right! Lots of ups and downs the whole time there is no time to feel just one thing.

AWESOME storytelling!!

[Lenny]

I often find it hard to get hooked into a western graphic novel, but this one immediately hooked me from the first page. It's so well-paced, the expressions, the silent panels, the characters, the story, I love everything! All the characters are so relatable. It's so well-written and drawn. I can't wait for the second book!!

[Emily Smith]

Overall, it's not a bad book idea. I give it 2 stars for the historical/cultural detail. But of course, the gay agenda had to be included. Wish I could trust the library to have decent books for my kids to check out without pushing the LBGQT agenda.

[Hanna *Middle School Librarian*]

I could read an entire series with these 3 kids. Parachute kids is a fairly new concept to me- I read Yang’s Parachutes earlier this year. I loved the art, the story, the everything. Definite purchase for my library.

[Cheryl]

Beautifully done, important, devastating

[Diana Flores]

Excellent graphic novel centered on 10 year old "Ann" and her older brother and sister who have come from Taiwan and are living in the US without their parents - parachute kids.

[Juju]

Seriously WAY more intense than I was expecting for a YA book - these kids go through so much trauma, abandonment, isolation, discrimination, and harassment. It’s almost hilarious how disparate the fun, poppy cover is from the actual gut-wrenching content. My heart breaks for them; all the while they are COMPLETELY alone in a new country; so much rests on the oldest sister’s shoulders it’s insane. Then the brother ends up in a COMA? And that’s basically how the story ends? I get the struggles the author is trying to convey…but damn.

[Tirzah]

I am rating it 2.5 for the part I read, which was half the book. I was interested in reading this, because to my knowledge, there isn't a lot of children's literature about Asian immigration. Being published by Scholastic, I should have guessed homosexuality would be included. I stopped reading it then. I am disappointed if the author bowed to big house publishers' demand to feature "diversity, equity, and inclusion." This obsession with DEI in art is stunting talent and creativity.

[Aimee Ardonne]

I really liked this book! I did not know anything about "parachute kids" before, so I learned a lot from this graphic novel. I hope there will be a sequel, as I would love to see what happens to the main characters as they continue adjusting to life in the United States.

[Librariann]

Satisfying middle grade graphic novel that will appeal to fans of Front Desk

[Luna Mitic]

The being was a FIVE! but then it dropped to a four

[Laura]

Parachute kids are children that have been sent to America to learn without their parents. Usually they are left with friends and family, but in this story they are on their own. This is very loosely based on the author’s own experience of being a parachute kid herself. There are two more books in the series, the third one coming out next year.


It is hard coming to a new country, and even harder when you don’t know the language. Unfortunately, kids are cruel to kids that aren’t like them. I recall a girl who emigrated from Lebanon, when I was in elementary school, and everyone made fun of her, until she learned English. The bullying was so bad that the teacher saw it, and admonished the kids who were doing it.


In this novel, the kids are not quite so lucky. The authorities don’t see the bullying, so the kids have to manage on their own. Each has their own troubles. We see hints that the brother might be bi or gay, and has been told not to act on it.


I have picked up the next book in the series, I enjoyed this one so much, and am not waiting for the publication of the third book.

[Florence Migga]

I didn't know anything about parachute kids -- I didn't even know what they were -- so I enjoyed seeing one girl's (fictional) experience. I read a few reviews that raised discontent with an unfinished plot line for Bro. I agree, but not just his. Sis, too. It was definitely an editorial decision to leave it open, unfinished to show a slice of their life for a time. But that meant it felt like the book it didn't end -- the story just stopped. This was an audiobook production with sound effects and full cast, which I enjoyed. Overall, I'm glad I took the time for this one!

[Elisabeth]

4.5 stars.

[Tanya Prax]

4.5 stars

[Maxie Froelicher]

I read this book for the Barnes & Noble Young Readers Prize shortlist. I’m not gonna lie I got teary a few times ;A; it’s very good and I highly recommend.

[Corbin Hillam]

A captivating graphic novel about three siblings who make it in America on their own.

[Sydney]

Found more insights into the life of an immigrant, and adjusting to life in America. I thought this book was cool to read, as it looked through a 10 year old's pov in real life events. Was not a fan of the LGBTQ stuff, did not know that was going to be there. Glad nothing happened with it.

[Catherine Harben]

Parachute Kids is a surprisingly emotional graphic novel by Betty C. Tang. The book follows Feng-Li and her two siblings as their parents have to leave them alone in America to go back to Taiwan. They have come to The United States on a 30 day vacation visa and make the difficult decision that they want to stay. Unfortunately, their parents have to go back to Taiwan, or they will not be permitted to come back to America. This leaves a 16, 14, and 10 year old to fend for themselves with the help of their community. This proves challenging because they are, well, kids.
It surprises me every time how emotional a graphic novel can be. I really cannot fathom how difficult a decision it must be for the parents who leave their kids in hopes of a better life. My heart breaks for kids who have to grow up too early through no fault of their own. This book showcases a heart breaking situation that many families have to experience. I would recommend this book to anyone as there’s a little something in here for anyone regardless of your interests. I was excited to learn this is a series, and I can’t wait to pick up the next one!

[Adriana]

I first started reading this book while volunteering at the scholastic book fair and had to put it down to help kids pick out books. It hooked me immediately. The story stayed with me and this week when I saw it in the library I knew I had to find out what happens to the Lin siblings. Heartbreaking and sweet, the moments of hardship resonated with my family's immigration story. Many Cuban kids were sent alone to the states during the revolution, but through a Catholic sponsored program called Operación Pedro Pan. It has to be so hard for the Parachute kids and many immigrant kids in similar circumstances to grow up so fast in the US. I think it's super messed up because parents are leaving these kids in such a vulnerable place, but I understand the motivations behind the decision. I also felt like many other reviewers did that Jason/Ke-Gang's story felt unresolved, but I also understand that books have to limit the scope of their focus. ETA: I just heard there's a Book 2 so perhaps this will be addressed.

[Dawn]

Feng-Li, her mom, dad, brother, and sister are taking a vacation to California. She is excited to be in the US and visit Disneyland, but then her parents drop some big news: they’re not going back to Taiwan. Well, the children aren’t…her dad has to go back to his job, and then her mom leaves because her visa expires.

Feng-Li’s 16-year-old sister is left in charge, and the kids are cautioned to stay out of trouble since they are in the US illegally on expired visas. As you can imagine, it’s quite the struggle for three Taiwanese kids to make it work on their own. They face a lot of hardships, which can be hard to read about.

[Sean Brewer]

A great graphic novel for children and adults to understand the hardships and struggles that Asian children endure when left with family friends and others in a foreign country. This fictional story of a family of three parachute kids is told in a way to make one feel the stress of the journey and struggle they face. The one issue with this story is how the brother is made to feel guilty about his sexuality and there is no resolution beyond him being quite for possibly the rest of his life.