Cilla Lee-Jenkins: Future Author Extraordinaire (Cilla Lee-Jenkins, 1)

Cilla Lee-Jenkins wormed her way into my heart immediately, and I have a feeling she'll stay there forever. I love this precocious narrator. Tan does an amazing job of embodying a second-going-into-third-grader. All of the details of Cilla's life felt so true to that age. (I don't know how she did it!) Her struggle with acceptance about the Blob's (her baby sister's) impending arrival, and the emotional journey, are so well done. I especially appreciated the way she showed Cilla's biracial background. The questions Cilla has, both about herself and about the odd treatment other people sometimes give her (questions like "where are you from," "no, where are you *really* from?") will be eye-opening for young white readers. Whether this book is a mirror or a window for you, I have a feeling you'll be rooting for Cilla Lee-Jenkins big-time. I hope there are more Cilla Lee-Jenkins books in the works. I'm hooked!

I am reading it with my 8 and 4 year old granddaughters in the morning before the older one gets on the bus. The best way I can describe their reaction is to say they prefer the book to watching their tablet! It's entertaining and some of the humor goes over their heads but gives me a chuckle. Great book!

My six year old loves this book; my husband, a writer, ordered 2 of the Cilla Lee-Jenkins books thinking my son might enjoy listening to a book about a kid author. To our surprise he not only enjoyed it but decided he would read this book on his own so he didn’t have to wait for us. The language and vivid pictures the author draws with her words is simply terrific. The way the author explores the family dynamic, in a child like way, really gets to the heart of the experience of the first child. The book made us all laugh and think as we could definitely relate to this vibrant, charismatic 8 1/2 year old- Cilla Lee-Jenkins.I would recommend this book for any parent with a child that does not like reading; this book is sure to draw them in and bring them back for more.

I LOVED reading Cilla’s stories and her brand of wit is just the best. This book explores everything from identity, especially for a biracial child, friendships and dealing with the birth of a new sibling. Cilla is smart, imaginative and simply a delight to be with!

This is a phenomenal book. Ms. Tan does an amazing job not only of storytelling, but of explaining numerous literary devices to a youthful audience. Her voice is delightful and relatable. I found myself laughing out loud more than once and reading countless clever passages out loud to my boyfriend (who smiled, grudgingly, being too cool to laugh at kids' books). Also possibly important - it took me about a week to read it and I'm an adult, so it should keep your 7-11 year old entertained for a bit!

So much of the story resonated with my 8 year old daughter. Cilla Lee is a smart, charming girl trying to make her way through the tough challenges of friendship and family. Like my daughter, she wants to be a writer and shares her life story through her writing. Being part of a mixed race family, the author shares vignettes if situations mixed race children have to deal with in our society.A must read for parents and families.

This is middle grade fiction at its best! Cilla is hugely likable, spunky, and creative, and the way this story weaves together Cilla's relationship with her parents and grandparents (Chinese and Caucasian) and her friends is ingenious!

I love this book! Great fun to read for adults and to read to children.

Tan sensitively explores issues of race and precociousness in this deft narrative. The wry humour makes it appropriate for a wide age range, and the short chapters are perfect for early-grade readers or for reading aloud to younger children. The tensions developed are largely resolved chapter-by-chapter (with some recurring themes). The anxiety of the protagonist is light and fairly safe. I hope the writing tips are given a little more breathing room in any future books within the series.

I just loved this book, it has so much heart. Cilla is such an engaging protagonist, and I really liked the balance of humour with discussions of more serious topics. Looking forward to the next one coming out!

Beautiful, clever and funny. Tan captures childhood in her pages with ease and humour. Highly recommend

A desperately needed and desperately funny book.