Kirby's Lessons for Falling (in Love)

(Paperback)

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Description

Im once again blown away by Laura Gaos ability to make me relate to someone completely different from myself. Get ready to experience the epic highs and lows of high school rock climbing. Sonora Reyes, National Book Award finalist and bestselling author of The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School

Once dubbed the Queen of Balance as her schools top rock climber, Kirby Tan suffers an injury that sidelines her for the rest of the season. Now shes forced to join the newspaper club for some desperately needed extra credit. Worse, shes recruited by crystal-wearing, tarot-reading Bex Santos for her astrology-based love advice column. As Kirby reluctantly agrees to orchestrate matches made in heaven with Bex, she begins to wonder if their own stars could be aligned. But loving who she wants isnt so easy when her family and church community are on the line. Can Kirby pull off her greatest balancing act yet

From Laura Gao, the acclaimed creator of Messy Roots, comes an authentic slow-burn romance and coming-of-age story perfect for fans of Heartstopper, lovers of astrology and tarot, and anyone looking for answers on the right way to fall (in love).

Reviews

"The narrative overlays immigrant community dynamics with the intersections of race, ethnicity, and gender in young adults identity development while drawing on Chinese cultural icons old and new, such as White Rabbit candies.... A nuanced representation of being Asian and transnational in the contemporary U.S." Kirkus Reviews "In this beautifully illustrated graphic memoir, debut author/artist Gao does an excellent job of representing the complexity and challenges that came with growing up as young Chinese immigrant... [H]eartfelt and relatable." Booklist Messy Roots surprised me in all the best ways. Its a book that will stay with you for a long time to come. Tillie Walden, author of On a Sunbeam "Finding ourselves can be messy, but Laura Gao tells her story of self-discovery with honest and vulnerable beauty." Mike Curato, Lambda Award-winning author of Flamer Messy Roots is a laugh-out-loud, heartfelt and deeply engaging story of their journey to find themself--as an American, as the daughter of Chinese immigrants, as a queer person and as a Wuhanese American in the middle of a pandemic. Through hilarious inner dialogue, videogaming references and fun explainers, Gao effortlessly brings readers into their world. Malaka Gharib, author of I Was Their American Dream Messy Roots is funny, intimate, absorbing, and deeply moving. What a gift to have this peek into Laura Gaos memories, in all their sweetness and complexity. Becky Albertalli, New York Times bestselling author of Kate in Waiting "Hilarious, heartfelt, and beautifully illustrated, Messy Roots deserves to join the Chinese American canon right next to Gene Luen Yangs American Born Chinese." R.F. Kuang, author of The Poppy War "MessyRootsis about the hardship of identity and the beautiful butmessyjourney to find it." Aminder Dhaliwal, author of Cyclopedia Exotica "In this fresh, frank, and tender debut, author-illustrator Gao offers a compellingly layered graphic memoir.... A multidimensional, thoroughly entertaining account of growing into queer Asian American identity." Publishers Weekly (starred review) In this poignant memoir, Gao conveys her love for her home country and her journey as an immigrant. Her voice is grounded yet humorous; she illustrates a more nuanced Wuhan than the one depicted in current media, while conveying the difficulty of being a part of American society yet never feeling truly at home. A tender story of self-acceptance that lifts the story of Wuhan beyond COVID and shines light on a region with a rich culture and history. School Library Journal (starred review) Gao personalizes her experiences with insight and humor. This book delivers a coming-of-age story that tackles themes of immigration, assimilation, racism, sexuality, and self-identity. An affecting and candid depiction of the universal search for ones place in the world. Horn Book (starred review)

Author Bio

Laura Gao was born in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, and grew up in several small towns in Central Texas. A graduate of University of Pennsylvania, she now lives in San Francisco, where she is a product manager at Twitter. You can visit Laura at www.lauragao.com.