Lily Xiao Speaks Out

About this book

From the author of It's Boba Time for Pearl Li! comes an empowering, heartfelt middle grade novel about a grunge-loving Taiwanese American tween who must use her voice to fight for ESL support at her school.Lily Xiao can't wait to go to Camp Rock Out this summer, where she'll finally be able to shed her "class robot" good girl reputation and start her journey to becoming the next Eddie Vedder! And she can't wait to do it with her best friend and cousin, Vivian, who's just moved from Taiwan to Lily's California hometown. But as the two cousins work their way through seventh grade, Vivian struggles more and more with her schoolwork, which is all taught in English. If Vivian can't get her grades up, her parents won't let her go to rock camp.Determined to help, Lily embarks on a mission to push their school to provide more support for English-as-a-Second-Language learners like Vivian. But her first-generation immigrant family is nervous about Lily challenging the status quo. We should be grateful to be here, they always say.With Camp Rock Out on the line, Lily will need to decide how far she'll push against her family's wishes in order to stand up and speak out.What happens when being a good student isn't enough to do the right thing? Finding Your Voice: Lily has always been the quiet "class robot." Now, inspired by the grunge rock she loves, she must learn to be loud to fight for her cousin. AAPI Protagonist: An empowering story about a Taiwanese American seventh grader navigating school, family expectations, and her own passion for music. Friendship and Family: When her cousin Vivian's dream of going to rock camp is threatened, Lily will do whatever it takes to help--even if it means going against her family's warnings. Student Activism: Follow Lily's journey as she takes on her middle school to demand fair ESL support for all students.