I would recommend this book to elementary school students. This book is about a little girl who is learning to accept her differences in culture and that it's ok to be different from everyone else. This would be good in the classroom because it shows students that they can be themselves and represents diverse cultures and lets children see this in books.

This book could be used in a primary aged classroom.
This book is about a young girl named Geraldine who learns to accept who she is and her culture, even if it's different from everyone else.
I would use this book in my classroom as a choice book for young readers to read, and to introduce them to graphic novels. It is also a great book about diverse cultures and overcoming bullying.

Geraldine is a grade-school student who loves her lunchbox and the special meals her grandmother packs for her in it. That is, until a mean boy at school starts making fun of her 'strange' lunches and Geraldine starts wishing she has a 'normal' sandwich like every other kid at the lunch table.

This was such a great read for young readers on so many levels. This title is decidedly an early reader, but it is set up with panels like a graphic novel. The book therefore begins with a quick introduction to how talk/thought bubbles work and the order to read panels. It also has a short guide to some words used in the text that might be unfamiliar to new readers, e.g., that bao is a type of bun. This includes pronunciation support, although some of these words have their pronunciations in the text when first introduced as well.

The story itself lives in a similar space to The Sandwich Swap, in which young children learn to treat others' lunches with respect even if it's not what they themselves eat. The message is the crux of the story but it doesn't feel heavy handed. For instance, the word "bully" is never used, but the reader will understand the context easily.

The word play, the cheery illustrations, and the anthropomorphic lunch bag are all real treats that will keep young readers engaged. This book is made up of short chapters, so it will leave beginning readers feeling accomplished with having read a chapter book. It's also nice to see a book by and about a Taiwanese-American person, as I'm struggling to think of any other children's title reflecting that specific culture. ( )

Geraldine Pu loves to take her lunch box to school with delightful dishes her grandmother prepares at home—-rice, soup, dumplings, noodles, cucumber salad, steamed pork bag, and stinky tofu. All is well until another child in her class makes fun of her food. Soon the whole group is ridiculing her food and even her name. But Geraldine is a strong girl, and she finds a way to fight back and speak up for her food and her name and for others.

A first graphic novel. It’s a complete delight. ( )

Graphic novels tend to be a favorite among young readers, and this one adds on so much more, too.

Geraldine Pu lives in the US but has family which originated in Taiwan and does speak three languages (English, Mandarin and Taiwanese). Her Amah packs curry rice and other yummy food in her Biandang (lunchbox) every day for school, which Geraldine loves. That is, until a boy at school complains how yucky it looks. His teasing catches on with the other kids and soon, Geraldine is ashamed to bring her food to school.

There are so many lovely things about this book. First, it's a graphic novel...a simple one...and just right for readers, who have begun to read and are slowly gaining comfort with their words. Second, the book has a glossary and explains several terms and words the reader might not know or understand. This includes words used in Geraldine's family, which originate from Taiwan like Amah and Bao. The pronunciation for these words is given along with a description in the glossary. Then, there's an quick introduction on how to read a graphic novel for those not familiar with the form. Add a few more cultural descriptions at the end of the book (which are written for adults to explain to readers) and a recipe for bao, and it's a packed few pages.

The story itself is something many kids can relate to. If not teased for their food, most readers have been teased or seen someone teased for something. The message in this one is clear and still flows right along with the tale. The friendly relationship between Geraldine and her lunchbox did make me wonder at first, but it works really well and doesn't come across as quirky as I thought it might. (Readers might wish they had a friend as a lunchbox themselves). The introduction of 'new' types of foods, which the reader might not yet know, also grabbed the interest of even my older readers.

This is a fun book with so much more and great for beginner readers. I received an ARC and was surprised how much this book holds. ( )