The Queens of New York

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4.7

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Author(s)

E.L. Shen

Publisher

Quill Tree Books

Genre(s)

Age Range

12+

Release Date

June 06, 2023

ISBN

978-0063237957

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Best friends Jia Lee, Ariel Kim, and Everett Hoang are inseparable. But this summer, they won’t be together.

Everett, aspiring Broadway star, hopes to nab the lead role in an Ohio theater production, but soon realizes that talent and drive can only get her so far. Brainy Ariel is flying to San Francisco for a prestigious STEM scholarship, even though her heart is in South Korea, where her sister died last year. And stable, solid Jia will be home in Flushing, juggling her parents’ Chinatown restaurant, a cute new neighbor, and dreams for an uncertain future.

As the girls navigate heartbreaking surprises and shocking self-discoveries, they find that even though they’re physically apart, they are still mighty together.

Editor review

1 review

The Queens of New York

June 14, 2023 (Updated: June 14, 2023)

Overall rating

4.7

Plot

5.0

Characters

5.0

Writing Style

4.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

N/A

What worked: Endearing contemporary tale of BFFs and the summer of change. I loved this story of three Asian American best friends and the challenges and growth they all experience during the summer.

Everett, Ariel, and Jia have been friends since childhood. Summers together were always filled with magic, but this one will be different as two of them will not be in NYC.

Everett longs to be a Broadway star and goes to a drama camp in Ohio with dreams of landing the lead. Only what she encounters is at best racist to the core. Even though she excels in her audition, she lands the part of a stereotypical Asian character.

Ariel lands a prestigious STEM scholarship and goes to San Francisco but she longs for her older sister Bea who died tragically in Busan, Korea.

Jia is expected to take over her family's Chinatown restaurant, but she wants to attend a four-year university.

Add to all of this is the cute new boy in the neighborhood, dreams being challenged, and confronting your worse fears. These friends are ones that you'd love to have as your own.

Fast-paced with an empowering message to be proactive, especially against wrongs like blatant racism.

Heartfelt coming-of-age story that will resonate with you long after you finish the last page.

Good Points

1. Endearing contemporary tale of Asian American BFFs and the summer of change
2. Heartfelt