The Most Beautiful Thing
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
|
$13.49 | |
|
978-1-7284-0479-0
|
$22.99 | |
|
978-1-7284-3926-6
|
$34.99 | |
|
978-1-7284-3924-2
|
$6.99 |
| 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 |
Lerner eSource™ offers free digital teaching and learning resources, including Common Core State Standards (CCSS) teaching guides. These guides, created by classroom teachers, offer short lessons and writing exercises that give students specific instruction and practice using Common Core skills and strategies. Lerner eSource also provides additional resources including online activities, downloadable/printable graphic organizers, and additional educational materials that would also support Common Core instruction. Download, share, pin, print, and save as many of these free resources as you like!
The Most Beautiful Thing
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… View available downloads →
World Refugee Day: Books that Highlight Refugee Rights & Experiences
June 20 is World Refugee Day, observed to acknowledge the right of anyone, anywhere, to seek safety. Below, discover nonfiction books that recount true stories of refugees around the world and discuss refugee rights, along with fiction picks that reflect refugee experiences. Learn more… View →
Awards
- ALA Notable Children's Books
- Minnesota Book Award Finalist
- Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) Choices
- Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
- Kirkus Best Children's Books
- New York Public Library Best Books for Kids 2020
- NPR Best Books of the Year
Reviews
Publishers Weekly
“Yang centers her cherished paternal grandmother in this poignant picture book memoir.”—Publishers Weekly
School Library Journal
“A sincere narrative that centers on the power of family love.”—starred, School Library Journal
Booklist
“Richly colored mixed-media illustrations feature beautiful, intricate patterns as a backdrop to this tale of a close-knit, multigenerational family.”—Booklist
Kirkus Reviews
“A deep and moving reflection on enduring hardship and generational love. . . . Poignant storytelling with stunning visuals.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews