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Starred Review The Most Beautiful Thing

  • Interest Level: Kindergarten - Grade 3
  • Reading Level: Grade 2

A warmhearted and tender true story about a young girl finding beauty where she never thought to look.

Drawn from author Kao Kalia Yang’s childhood experiences as a Hmong refugee, this moving picture book portrays a family with a great deal of love and little money. Weaving together Kalia’s story with that of her beloved grandmother, the book moves from the jungles of Laos to the family’s early years in the United States.

When Kalia becomes unhappy about having to do without and decides she wants braces to improve her smile, it is her grandmother—a woman who has just one tooth in her mouth—who helps her see that true beauty is found with those we love most. Stunning illustrations from Vietnamese illustrator Khoa Le bring this intergenerational tale to life.

“A deep and moving reflection on enduring hardship and generational love. . . . Poignant storytelling with stunning visuals.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews

“A sincere narrative that centers on the power of family love.”—starred, School Library Journal

Minnesota Book Award Finalist, ALA Notable Children’s Book, New York Public Library Best Book for Kids, NPR Best Book of the Year

Format Your Price Add
978-1-5415-6191-5
 $14.24
978-1-7284-0479-0
 $22.99
978-1-7284-3926-6
 $34.99
978-1-7284-3924-2
 $6.99
Available at all major wholesalers and distributors. Save 25% off list price on hardcovers and ebooks when you buy direct! Digital purchases will be accessed on Lerner Digital Bookshelf. An account will be created for you after purchase.
Interest Level Kindergarten - Grade 3
Reading Level Grade 2
Genre Picture Books, Social Studies
Category 5 Kinds of Nonfiction, 5KN: Narrative Nonfiction, Diverse Books: Immigration & Refugees, Diverse Books: #OwnVoices, Diverse Books: Race & Ethnicity, Diversity, SEL: A Self-Awareness, SEL: B Self-Management, SEL: C Social Awareness, SEL: D Relationship Skills, SEL: E Responsible Decision-Making, Social Emotional Learning
Copyright 2020
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Imprint Carolrhoda Books ®
Language English
Number of Pages 32
Publication Date 2020-10-06
Text Type Narrative Nonfiction
BISACS JNF007050, JNF019030, JNF018020
Dewey 305.8959/72073
Dimensions 9.25 x 11
Lexile 850
Guided Reading Level R
ATOS Reading Level 4.2
Accelerated Reader® Points 0.5
Features Author/Illustrator biography, Awards, Original artwork, Reviewed, Starred Reviews, Teaching Guides, and eSource

Awards

  • Notable Award ALA Notable Children's Books, Winner, 2021
  • Minnesota Book Award Finalist, Short-listed, 2021
  • Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) Choices, Winner, 2021
  • Notable Award Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year, Winner, 2021
  • Notable Award Kirkus Best Children's Books, Winner, 2020
  • New York Public Library Best Books for Kids 2020, Winner, 2020
  • Notable Award NPR Best Books of the Year, Winner, 2020

Reviews

Publishers Weekly

Reviewed on 16 November 2020

“Yang centers her cherished paternal grandmother in this poignant picture book memoir.”—Publishers Weekly

Starred Review School Library Journal

Reviewed on 1 November 2020

“A sincere narrative that centers on the power of family love.”—starred, School Library Journal

Booklist

Reviewed on 15 October 2020

“Richly colored mixed-media illustrations feature beautiful, intricate patterns as a backdrop to this tale of a close-knit, multigenerational family.”—Booklist

Starred Review Kirkus Reviews

Reviewed on 1 August 2020

“A deep and moving reflection on enduring hardship and generational love. . . . Poignant storytelling with stunning visuals.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews