Author E.L. Shen teaches readers how to make dumplings for Lunar New Year + hear her read aloud from her middle grade debut, The Comeback, available in paperback on February 1st! Plus, find more books to celebrate Chinese New Year, including the heartwarming new picture book Friends Are Friends, Forever!
The Comeback: A Figure Skating Novel by E. L. Shen
On Sale Now! Paperback Available February 1, 2022
Ages 8-12
A heartfelt debut about a young girl trying to be a champ, in figure skating and in life. Introduction by champion figure skater Mirai Nagasu.
Twelve-year-old Maxine Chen is just trying to nail that perfect landing: on the ice, in middle school, and at home, where her parents worry that competitive skating is too much pressure for a budding tween. Maxine isn’t concerned, however—she’s determined to glide to victory. But then a bully at school starts teasing Maxine for her Chinese heritage, leaving her stunned and speechless. And at the rink, she finds herself up against a stellar new skater named Hollie, whose grace and skill threaten to edge Maxine out of the competition. With everything she knows on uneven ice, will Maxine crash under the pressure? Or can she power her way to a comeback?
Set in Lake Placid, New York, this is a spunky yet stirring middle-grade story that examines racism, female rivalry and friendship, and the enduring and universal necessity of love and support.
Praise for The Comeback:
“With fast-paced prose and an ear for authentic dialogue, Shen brings big emotions and ideas to the hyper-focused world of the obsessive skater. Her sharp depiction of an eager and courageous Maxine makes the lessons about the ebb and flow of friendship less clichéd than they might have been . . . Shen has created a high-spirited character worth cheering for.” —The New York Times
★ “Shen has created a wonderfully grounded character who navigates both middle school and the world of elite athletic competition with an authentic voice—foibles, insecurities, and all. And deftly woven around edge-of-your seat competition scenes are more mundane but significant issues: everyday racism, sportsmanship, burnout among young athletes, the value of true friendships, and the unfaltering love and support of family… That Maxine’s figure-skating idols are all Asian (and that there are so many of them) reminds readers of how important representation is.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
More Books to Celebrate Lunar New Year:
Friends Are Friends, Forever by Dane Liu; illustrated by Lynn Scurfield
On Sale Now
Ages 3-6
A picture book based on the author’s own immigration story, the infinite impact of friendship, and passing on love and kindness around the world.
On a snowy Lunar New Year’s Eve in Northeastern China, it’s Dandan’s last night with Yueyue. Tomorrow, she moves to America. The two best friends have a favorite wintertime tradition: crafting paper-cut snowflakes, freezing them outside, and hanging them as ornaments.
As they say goodbye, Yueyue presses red paper and a spool of thread into Dandan’s hands so that she can carry on their tradition. But in her new home, Dandan has no one to enjoy the gift with—until a friend comes along.
