What do you think?
Rate this book
Noodle & Bao
Perfect for fans of Animal Crossing and Measuring Up, this whimsical and empowering middle grade graphic novel follows a girl who helps her friend's humble food cart stand its ground against the gentrification of their Chinatown neighborhood.
Momo has lived in Town 99 her entire life. She knows all its quirks and rhythms: the best places to buy fruit, practice tai-chi in the park, and, most of all, get the best meal: Noodle & Bao, run by Momo's best friend, Bao, and their amah, Noodle.
But Town 99 is changing. Rent is becoming unaffordable for Momo and her parents, and even Noodle & Bao has been edged out of its storefront, which was just recently bought out by a new business venture--Fancé Cafe. Fancé is run by the ambitious Ms. Jujube and her henchmen, who claim they're only beautifying Town 99 with good business.
Momo knows that's not true, and knows that if she doesn't do something, she'll lose everything she loves about her neighborhood. From undercover recon to a cook-off proposal, protest signs to petitions, Momo and Bao are on a mission to protect Town 99. Will they succeed before it's too late?
Momo has lived in Town 99 her entire life. She knows all its quirks and rhythms: the best places to buy fruit, practice tai-chi in the park, and, most of all, get the best meal: Noodle & Bao, run by Momo's best friend, Bao, and their amah, Noodle.
But Town 99 is changing. Rent is becoming unaffordable for Momo and her parents, and even Noodle & Bao has been edged out of its storefront, which was just recently bought out by a new business venture--Fancé Cafe. Fancé is run by the ambitious Ms. Jujube and her henchmen, who claim they're only beautifying Town 99 with good business.
Momo knows that's not true, and knows that if she doesn't do something, she'll lose everything she loves about her neighborhood. From undercover recon to a cook-off proposal, protest signs to petitions, Momo and Bao are on a mission to protect Town 99. Will they succeed before it's too late?
224 pages, Paperback
First published October 15, 2024
About the author
Shaina Lu
8 books19 followersShaina Lu (she/her) is a queer Taiwanese American community artist exploring the intersection of art, education, and activism. When she’s not creating community art, she works with young artists and makers in Boston’s Chinatown.
Most important, she drinks juice every day, and she is full of sugar.
Most important, she drinks juice every day, and she is full of sugar.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
October 13, 2024
This was absolutely perfect! It had everything that I look for in a graphic novel - beautiful art, loveable characters, a complete story arc and a strong message. I loved that when we were introduced to each main character, we got a little bio on them, including their pronouns. I also loved that through most of the dialogue, there is Chinese written as well as English. I appreciated that detail even more after reading the author’s note, which was so beautiful and informative! This graphic novel had so much personality and emotion and was really unique. I’ll be recommending this to everyone!
October 19, 2024
Don't let the cute cover deceive you because this one is packed with important topics about standing firm for your culture and identity.
I love how the author injected the discussion about gentrification and how it has been woven into the history of immigrants in the US.
The art style is straightforward and I like how the author-illustrator added twists on the supporting characters of Town 99.
This middle grade graphic novel is empowering and magical. 4.5stars!
I love how the author injected the discussion about gentrification and how it has been woven into the history of immigrants in the US.
The art style is straightforward and I like how the author-illustrator added twists on the supporting characters of Town 99.
This middle grade graphic novel is empowering and magical. 4.5stars!
June 2, 2024
Thanks goes out to NetGalley for sending me an ARC.
I LOVED this book so much that I immediately pre-ordered it for my classroom. This is perfect for fans of Measuring Up and A Place at the Table. Even though this meant for middle grade students, this book tackles themes of food, community, immigration, and gentrification. The art is gorgeous, the depictions of food mouthwatering, and it's funny to see how like Animal Crossing, some of the characters are human and others are different animals-- including the main character's parents!
As an aside, I come from a similar background as the author and artist and I love how they captured the spirit of Chinatown in the graphic novel. The bilingual traditional Chinese/English dialogue in places touched my heart because the author explains the choices she made with using Cantonese and Mandarin that shows how rich and diverse their neighborhood community is. I already know that some of my students will be so excited to see their languages represented here.
I LOVED this book so much that I immediately pre-ordered it for my classroom. This is perfect for fans of Measuring Up and A Place at the Table. Even though this meant for middle grade students, this book tackles themes of food, community, immigration, and gentrification. The art is gorgeous, the depictions of food mouthwatering, and it's funny to see how like Animal Crossing, some of the characters are human and others are different animals-- including the main character's parents!
As an aside, I come from a similar background as the author and artist and I love how they captured the spirit of Chinatown in the graphic novel. The bilingual traditional Chinese/English dialogue in places touched my heart because the author explains the choices she made with using Cantonese and Mandarin that shows how rich and diverse their neighborhood community is. I already know that some of my students will be so excited to see their languages represented here.
August 11, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. Everything about it screams cute: the art, the characters, the ending. I loved the part at the end of the book where we get some more serious facts on the subjects that inspired this story. It was exactly what I was needing to read right now.
I would recommend picking this one up if you are looking for an easy but impactful read.
I would recommend picking this one up if you are looking for an easy but impactful read.
November 4, 2024
Absolutely obsessed.
--
✨ Review ✨ Noodle & Bao by Shaina Lu
Thanks to Quill Tree Books, @harperkids and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book! #EpicTastemakers
I'm absolutely obsessed with this book because it explores so many topics that I research and write about -- gentrification, urban development, bilingualism, community resistance -- but in a graphic novel suitable for kids. I'm so excited to share it with my kids!
Momo has always lived in Town 99 but the neighborhood is changing. Rent prices are increasing, her best friend Bao and his amah Noodle were pushed out of their restaurant, and now Fancé Café and its bougie new owner are threatening to take over. Momo leads the community in fighting back against this development, and this book celebrates diverse cities and communities in a really beautiful way.
I loved that this takes place in a fictional Chinatown but in a way that feels relatable to many ethnic neighborhoods throughout the US and beyond. The author really thoughtfully pairs different dialects of Chinese alongside with English to show the neighborhood's multilingualism and the different generations of residents.
The illustrations are simple, yet beautiful, and I can't wait to see what Shaina Lu does next!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: middle grades graphic novel
Setting: Town 99, a fictional Chinatown
Pub Date: October 15, 2024
Read this if you like:
⭕️ urban spaces and diverse communities
⭕️ Chinatowns
⭕️ Chinese & fusion food
⭕️ graphic novels
--
✨ Review ✨ Noodle & Bao by Shaina Lu
Thanks to Quill Tree Books, @harperkids and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book! #EpicTastemakers
I'm absolutely obsessed with this book because it explores so many topics that I research and write about -- gentrification, urban development, bilingualism, community resistance -- but in a graphic novel suitable for kids. I'm so excited to share it with my kids!
Momo has always lived in Town 99 but the neighborhood is changing. Rent prices are increasing, her best friend Bao and his amah Noodle were pushed out of their restaurant, and now Fancé Café and its bougie new owner are threatening to take over. Momo leads the community in fighting back against this development, and this book celebrates diverse cities and communities in a really beautiful way.
I loved that this takes place in a fictional Chinatown but in a way that feels relatable to many ethnic neighborhoods throughout the US and beyond. The author really thoughtfully pairs different dialects of Chinese alongside with English to show the neighborhood's multilingualism and the different generations of residents.
The illustrations are simple, yet beautiful, and I can't wait to see what Shaina Lu does next!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: middle grades graphic novel
Setting: Town 99, a fictional Chinatown
Pub Date: October 15, 2024
Read this if you like:
⭕️ urban spaces and diverse communities
⭕️ Chinatowns
⭕️ Chinese & fusion food
⭕️ graphic novels
July 13, 2024
Noodle and Bao is a sweet, heartwarming graphic novel about community, cultural traditions, friendship, and standing up for what you believe in. The characters of Noodle, Bao, and Momo are so well developed and all show growth throughout the book, even the grown-ups! I also love that each character is introduced with their respective pronouns and there is so much diversity throughout the book. Many of the speech bubbles are written bilingually, representing when a character is speaking in another language.
Through the lens of Bao and Momo young readers will learn about gentrification and the effect it can have on diverse communities. The text also explores a theme of cultural traditions and how different generations might view and change these traditions.
Overall, this is a perfect book for late elementary and early grade readers. Thanks to NetGalley and HaperCollins Children's Books for the eARC in exchange for a review.
Through the lens of Bao and Momo young readers will learn about gentrification and the effect it can have on diverse communities. The text also explores a theme of cultural traditions and how different generations might view and change these traditions.
Overall, this is a perfect book for late elementary and early grade readers. Thanks to NetGalley and HaperCollins Children's Books for the eARC in exchange for a review.
October 31, 2024
A super cute graphic novel that has a deeper message of gentrification and displacement within a marginalized community. And, so much food. If you are in the Boston area, the Chinatown landmarks are clear and the struggles are familiar, since so much of the community work is retold through this book. Kids of all ages will enjoy this read.
May 26, 2024
Hilarious comedic timing, passionately-crafted and researched. A beautiful and charming story rooted in the heart and souls of Boston Chinatown. 1000 stars.
June 25, 2024
E ARC Provided by Edelweiss Plus
In this graphic novel, we meet Momo, who loves living in Town 99. Her favorite place to eat is a small restaraunt run by Noodle Yi Yi and her grandchild, Bao, Momo's best friend. When Noodle has to sell the restaurant, it is bought by Ms. Jujube and turned into the expensive and upscale Fancé Café. Momo is very upset, and she also notices that there are other things changing in her neighborhood. Her parents have to work all the time, and there are overdue bills posted on the refrigerator. Noodle sets up a food truck outside her old location, but doesn't have the proper permit and is told to clear off. Momo and Bao decide to fight for their neighborhood. They sneak into Fancé Café planning to order something inexpensive off the menu to find out how horrible it is, but Ms. Jujube spots them and comps them a complete meal. Bao is fascinated by the different flavors, and talks to Ms. Jujube with some interest, but Momo is upset. She challenges Ms. Jujube to a cooking contest at an upcoming neighborhood festival, and both agree that if Noodle and Bao wins, Fancé Café will close down, but if Ms. Jujube wins, the food truck will be removed and Bao will come and work for her. Bao spends a lot of time trying new dishes that they think represent the neighborhood, which include things like Cheeseburger and Chicharon Bao (which is a filled steamed bun). Momo is a little leery of these new twists on traditional cuisine, but she is very upset because her parents have told her that they are being evicted and have to move. When the festival arrives, Bao wins the contest, but it is a Phyrhic victory: Ms. Jujube will close down Fancé Café as planned, but also tear it down and build a ninety-nine story hotel with a restaurant on the bottom floor. She claims it will bring jobs to the area, but Momo and Bao know it will destroy Town 99 as they know it. They start to protest, getting government officials involved, and casting a lot of bad publicity on Ms. Jujube's plan. She finally agrees to sell the land back, and the community is able to remain as it is. There are notes about real ethnic enclaves in the US that have fought gentrification, as well as information about Chinese immigration and an explanation of the different dialects of Chinese that are used alongside the English in the text.
Strengths: I would suggest to readers that they start with the notes first; while I knew a little about the Chinese Exclusion Act and other bits of Chinese history (thanks to books like Lee and Soontornvat's Made in Asian America and Blackburn's Exclusion and the Chinese-American Story), having a brief background will make this more powerful for readers. I was also intrigued to learn about the Parcel C protests in Boston in the 1990s and would love to see a middle grade novel about that. The descriptions of food are very detailed and enticing. Momo's love for her neighborhood is very clear, and it's encouraging to see her work to save her neighborhood.
Weaknesses: The illustration style seems a little young for the topic, and there were some odd things, like the fact that Momo's parents were depicted as pandas and Noodle looked like a cat. I suppose that is just a stylistic choice, but it was a little confusing; it would have made more sense to me if Momo were also depicted as a panda.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who want to learn about gentrification and want a graphic novel instead of traditional novels like Dilloway's Five Things About Ava Andrews, Vivat's Meet Me on Mercer Street, Nelson's The Umbrella House, Giles' Take Back the Block, or Broaddus' Unfadeable.
In this graphic novel, we meet Momo, who loves living in Town 99. Her favorite place to eat is a small restaraunt run by Noodle Yi Yi and her grandchild, Bao, Momo's best friend. When Noodle has to sell the restaurant, it is bought by Ms. Jujube and turned into the expensive and upscale Fancé Café. Momo is very upset, and she also notices that there are other things changing in her neighborhood. Her parents have to work all the time, and there are overdue bills posted on the refrigerator. Noodle sets up a food truck outside her old location, but doesn't have the proper permit and is told to clear off. Momo and Bao decide to fight for their neighborhood. They sneak into Fancé Café planning to order something inexpensive off the menu to find out how horrible it is, but Ms. Jujube spots them and comps them a complete meal. Bao is fascinated by the different flavors, and talks to Ms. Jujube with some interest, but Momo is upset. She challenges Ms. Jujube to a cooking contest at an upcoming neighborhood festival, and both agree that if Noodle and Bao wins, Fancé Café will close down, but if Ms. Jujube wins, the food truck will be removed and Bao will come and work for her. Bao spends a lot of time trying new dishes that they think represent the neighborhood, which include things like Cheeseburger and Chicharon Bao (which is a filled steamed bun). Momo is a little leery of these new twists on traditional cuisine, but she is very upset because her parents have told her that they are being evicted and have to move. When the festival arrives, Bao wins the contest, but it is a Phyrhic victory: Ms. Jujube will close down Fancé Café as planned, but also tear it down and build a ninety-nine story hotel with a restaurant on the bottom floor. She claims it will bring jobs to the area, but Momo and Bao know it will destroy Town 99 as they know it. They start to protest, getting government officials involved, and casting a lot of bad publicity on Ms. Jujube's plan. She finally agrees to sell the land back, and the community is able to remain as it is. There are notes about real ethnic enclaves in the US that have fought gentrification, as well as information about Chinese immigration and an explanation of the different dialects of Chinese that are used alongside the English in the text.
Strengths: I would suggest to readers that they start with the notes first; while I knew a little about the Chinese Exclusion Act and other bits of Chinese history (thanks to books like Lee and Soontornvat's Made in Asian America and Blackburn's Exclusion and the Chinese-American Story), having a brief background will make this more powerful for readers. I was also intrigued to learn about the Parcel C protests in Boston in the 1990s and would love to see a middle grade novel about that. The descriptions of food are very detailed and enticing. Momo's love for her neighborhood is very clear, and it's encouraging to see her work to save her neighborhood.
Weaknesses: The illustration style seems a little young for the topic, and there were some odd things, like the fact that Momo's parents were depicted as pandas and Noodle looked like a cat. I suppose that is just a stylistic choice, but it was a little confusing; it would have made more sense to me if Momo were also depicted as a panda.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who want to learn about gentrification and want a graphic novel instead of traditional novels like Dilloway's Five Things About Ava Andrews, Vivat's Meet Me on Mercer Street, Nelson's The Umbrella House, Giles' Take Back the Block, or Broaddus' Unfadeable.
October 10, 2024
Momo’s BFF Bao and Bao’s ah-ma (grandmother) Noodle Yi Yi lose their restaurant Noodle and Bao to an ultra-chic restaurant. Noodle and Bao subsequently operate their business from a food cart outside the new restaurant, which annoys the new restaurant owner. Momo vows to get the Noodle and Bao restaurant back which was a vital part of the community Town 99.
I found it interesting that Momo is a human girl but her parents are pandas. Other characters were animals, such as Noodle was an old grumpy cat. I wasn’t sure if there was a significance to the anthropomorphism, but being an animal lover, this was pleasing to me.
At first I found the story slow paced, but eventually the story built up and started to grow on me. I enjoyed the animal characterization illustrations, but overall in general, the drawings were not my preferred style but certainly may appeal to other readers. I would have preferred to see a colorful palette to the illustrations rather than the black, white and blush tones.
In the end I did enjoy the story especially after reading the Author’s Note regarding how Chinatowns came into existence in the U.S. which started during the Chinese immigration in the 1880s and their steady decline in the past few years. I was particularly interested in this story because: 1) I am Asian American, 2) I want to support Asian graphic novelists, 3) there was reference and a text bubble to my family’s dialect toisanese (VERY rare to see), 4) the story was based upon a real life protest of Boston Chinatown takeover by developers, and 4) I grew up on bao and dim sum so the theme and cover was not be passed up!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy.
I found it interesting that Momo is a human girl but her parents are pandas. Other characters were animals, such as Noodle was an old grumpy cat. I wasn’t sure if there was a significance to the anthropomorphism, but being an animal lover, this was pleasing to me.
At first I found the story slow paced, but eventually the story built up and started to grow on me. I enjoyed the animal characterization illustrations, but overall in general, the drawings were not my preferred style but certainly may appeal to other readers. I would have preferred to see a colorful palette to the illustrations rather than the black, white and blush tones.
In the end I did enjoy the story especially after reading the Author’s Note regarding how Chinatowns came into existence in the U.S. which started during the Chinese immigration in the 1880s and their steady decline in the past few years. I was particularly interested in this story because: 1) I am Asian American, 2) I want to support Asian graphic novelists, 3) there was reference and a text bubble to my family’s dialect toisanese (VERY rare to see), 4) the story was based upon a real life protest of Boston Chinatown takeover by developers, and 4) I grew up on bao and dim sum so the theme and cover was not be passed up!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy.
October 11, 2024
Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
Noodle & Bao is a well written and beautifully illustrated all-ages book about community and standing up for what we believe in written by Shaina Lu. Due out 15th Oct 2024 from HarperCollins on their Quill Tree imprint, it's 224 pages and will be available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook formats.
Momo, Bao, and their families live in Town 99, a tightly knit community of folks with restaurants, bookstores, and everything else they need. Their entire community is threatened when Ms. Jujube starts buying up and "improving" their town, raising rents so much that many of the residents can't afford to live there anymore.
This thought provoking accessible novel has a lot of good takeaways for everyone: gentrification, strength in diversity, the power in collective grassroots action, and depending on our friends (instead of trying to do everything alone).
The art is full of small details which invite readers to take a closer look. Much of the dialogue is bilingual in several Asian language as well as English (the author explains her reasoning in an afterword). There are also a number of pages with suggested discussion topics for classroom or book club discussion. There's also a reassuring diversity of characters, one of whom is nonbinary.
Four and a half stars. This would be an excellent choice for public or school library acquisition, home or classroom use.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Noodle & Bao is a well written and beautifully illustrated all-ages book about community and standing up for what we believe in written by Shaina Lu. Due out 15th Oct 2024 from HarperCollins on their Quill Tree imprint, it's 224 pages and will be available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook formats.
Momo, Bao, and their families live in Town 99, a tightly knit community of folks with restaurants, bookstores, and everything else they need. Their entire community is threatened when Ms. Jujube starts buying up and "improving" their town, raising rents so much that many of the residents can't afford to live there anymore.
This thought provoking accessible novel has a lot of good takeaways for everyone: gentrification, strength in diversity, the power in collective grassroots action, and depending on our friends (instead of trying to do everything alone).
The art is full of small details which invite readers to take a closer look. Much of the dialogue is bilingual in several Asian language as well as English (the author explains her reasoning in an afterword). There are also a number of pages with suggested discussion topics for classroom or book club discussion. There's also a reassuring diversity of characters, one of whom is nonbinary.
Four and a half stars. This would be an excellent choice for public or school library acquisition, home or classroom use.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
September 7, 2024
5 Stars. This story was adorable and oh so heartwarming. Momo has lived her whole life in Town 99, she knows all of the ins and outs and most importantly where to get the best eats–Noodles & Bao. May I just say that Gua Bao sounds amazing! Noodles & Bao lost their storefront due to their landlord selling the building and had to transition to a food cart. A swanky new restaurant called Fance Cafe quickly replaces the former location of Noodles & Bao. To take it a step further, Jujube, the new owner of Fance Cafe even forces Noodle & Bao to relocate their food truck. Noodles & Bao tell a heartwarming story of a community trying to hang on to its roots and support one another. I loved the art and the seemingly random mix of animals and humans. Noodle is not a human and neither are Momo’s parents, but there were humans too. It was a quirky style choice that just added to the story’s overall charm. I can see where the references to Animal Crossing come from now. I liked the inclusion of pronouns when introducing the main characters and the inclusion of Chinese in the speech bubbles as well. All in all, this book addresses some pretty challenging topics, from immigration, community, and gentrification, all while tantalizing readers with mouth watering food and charming characters. Thank you HarperCollins Children's Books, Quill Tree Books, Shaina Lu, and NetGalley for providing an eARC for review!
July 21, 2024
Noodle & Bao is such a sweet story about the power of community, resistance, and identity. It was really moving to see all the different characters, different ages and backgrounds, coming together to fight for their community. I think this is a great way for younger audiences to learn more about serious issues like displacement and gentrification.
I especially loved how fleshed out the characters were (Noodle, Bao, and Momo!) and how much growth they went through even in the span of just 200 pages! And the growth wasn’t limited to just the younger characters, but the older ones too. It was really beautiful to see the preservation of tradition but also the way tradition can grow and adapt into something new. The idea that home can be both in the past but also something new that grows with you is so wonderful. I was genuinely brought to tears at some parts. What a special little book.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollin’s Childrens for an advanced copy of this. But especially thank you to Shaina Lu for writing such a beautiful story. While this is perfect for elementary/middle grade readers, I think this is a read that all of us can read and learn from!
I especially loved how fleshed out the characters were (Noodle, Bao, and Momo!) and how much growth they went through even in the span of just 200 pages! And the growth wasn’t limited to just the younger characters, but the older ones too. It was really beautiful to see the preservation of tradition but also the way tradition can grow and adapt into something new. The idea that home can be both in the past but also something new that grows with you is so wonderful. I was genuinely brought to tears at some parts. What a special little book.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollin’s Childrens for an advanced copy of this. But especially thank you to Shaina Lu for writing such a beautiful story. While this is perfect for elementary/middle grade readers, I think this is a read that all of us can read and learn from!
October 6, 2024
A middle grade graphic novel about Momo, who is trying to save her best friend's grandma's restaurant from a new fancy restaurant that opened. This then turns into the restaurant trying to demolish the block and overtake the neighborhood (gentrification).
I thought this one was ok. The art style wasn't my personal favorite, but that isn't a problem really in terms of rating for me because that is a super personal choice! I just thought the story was a little slow, and I had many questions in the story. One was why were some people animals??? There was no clear indication why that I could see. Also, it was unclear how old Momo and Bao were. Bao talks about culinary school and then there is a time jump in the epilogue and they're in college. But before that it seemed like they were much younger. I appreciate the overall message about gentrification and Chinatowns/ethnic enclaves in general, but I was left with a lot of questions.
I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I thought this one was ok. The art style wasn't my personal favorite, but that isn't a problem really in terms of rating for me because that is a super personal choice! I just thought the story was a little slow, and I had many questions in the story. One was why were some people animals??? There was no clear indication why that I could see. Also, it was unclear how old Momo and Bao were. Bao talks about culinary school and then there is a time jump in the epilogue and they're in college. But before that it seemed like they were much younger. I appreciate the overall message about gentrification and Chinatowns/ethnic enclaves in general, but I was left with a lot of questions.
I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 9, 2024
A middle grade graphic novel about gentrification. This is generally a good take on the subject, a nice introduction for younger readers. There a couple of narrative choices that I wasn't thrilled about, though. I don't understand why the neighborhood is called Town 99 when it's obviously intended to be Chinatown. The book is steeped in Chinese immigrant culture, after all. About half of the characters are animals, and half are humans. I think a lot of readers will just gloss over this, but some will be confused. I think the animal characters are meant to indicate who's an immigrant and who's second generation, but that isn't immediately obvious. But I think the one thing that really kept me from fully connecting to this book is that it has the wrong protagonist. This gentrification conflict is based around a restaurant, run by the titular Noodle and Bao. The protagonist is neither character, she's a friend of Bao's. I really feel like Bao should have been the viewpoint character here.
September 16, 2024
This book is a great read for readers of any age looking to learn more about the cultural history behind community centers and the activism that goes into preserving them against gentrification. Shaina Lu keeps the focus very tight by centering the story on the eponymous Noodle and Bao, and Bao's friend Momo who does everything she can think of to help keep her friends and neighbors keep afloat in the place they've made their home. Lu sprinkles small details throughout that add a welcome depth to all the characters, and the seamless integration of pronouns and bilingual speech bubbles where applicable are a fantastic choice. The art style is bubbly, cute, and expressive. Lu also includes a section at the end of the book that gives an overview of the events which inspired this story, something readers will be eager to learn more about after taking in Momo and Bao's experiences.
Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books | Quill Tree Books for an ARC to review.
Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books | Quill Tree Books for an ARC to review.
November 15, 2024
4.5 stars
This was such a cute graphic novel. Momo's favorite restaurant in Town 99, Noodle & Bao, has been closed and taken over by a fancy café. Bao's grandmother Noodle gets a food cart and sets up right in front of the new restaurant. The owner Madame Jujube and her security try to keep the cart away. They decide to have a competition and whoever makes a food that best represents Town 99 will win. If Madame Jujube wins, she will have to close her restaurant. If Noodle wins, she has to take her cart away and Bao will work for Madame Jujube.
The love that Momo has for her town is unmatched. She is sad that everything is becoming more expensive and commercialized and her friends and neighbors are having to move away. She wants so badly to win this competition and believes in Bao's new food combinations even if Noodle doesn't.
Overall just a sweet story that I really enjoyed!
This was such a cute graphic novel. Momo's favorite restaurant in Town 99, Noodle & Bao, has been closed and taken over by a fancy café. Bao's grandmother Noodle gets a food cart and sets up right in front of the new restaurant. The owner Madame Jujube and her security try to keep the cart away. They decide to have a competition and whoever makes a food that best represents Town 99 will win. If Madame Jujube wins, she will have to close her restaurant. If Noodle wins, she has to take her cart away and Bao will work for Madame Jujube.
The love that Momo has for her town is unmatched. She is sad that everything is becoming more expensive and commercialized and her friends and neighbors are having to move away. She wants so badly to win this competition and believes in Bao's new food combinations even if Noodle doesn't.
Overall just a sweet story that I really enjoyed!
November 21, 2024
Noodle & Bao is a wonderful story about friendship and the miracle a community can achieve when people come together. Inspired by real-life community organizing, this graphic novel shares the misadventures of Momo, a young girl determined to save her town from the gentrification of their neighborhood.
Momo’s Town 99 takes place in a Fantasy world, but it is based on stories from real Chinatowns and ethnic enclaves across the world. Shaina Lu introduces readers to food, culture and the shared heritage of a population. I love how part of the dialogue is written in English and Chinese : it strengthens the topic of identity that is found throughout the story.
Noodle & Bao is far more than a cute middle grade graphic novel with adorable illustrations : it is an a unique and empowering read, sharing the dreams and fears of a population.
Momo’s Town 99 takes place in a Fantasy world, but it is based on stories from real Chinatowns and ethnic enclaves across the world. Shaina Lu introduces readers to food, culture and the shared heritage of a population. I love how part of the dialogue is written in English and Chinese : it strengthens the topic of identity that is found throughout the story.
Noodle & Bao is far more than a cute middle grade graphic novel with adorable illustrations : it is an a unique and empowering read, sharing the dreams and fears of a population.
June 3, 2024
I adored this graphic novel. It portrayed the gentrification of a fantasy world Chinatown and the ways the community comes together to fight against it, based on real-life community organizing. The active inclusion of Traditional Chinese characters for Taiwanese Mandarin and written Cantonese with English translations beneath was a great way to highlight the varying dialects/preserve a realistic representation of Chinatown residents. (Can you tell I loved all the notes at the end?) I loved the back and forth between the younger and older generations, how each had legitimate points and missteps to make, and the way they navigated meeting each other to address the conflict. I also appreciated the queer friendly inclusiveness of titular character Bao using they/them pronouns.
October 8, 2024
I really liked this book! I thought it was really cute and wholesome. I have a feeling this book would be a little difficult for younger audiences though. There are some instances where the author decided not to put the English translation under the dialogue which might make it a little harder for (younger) audiences who might not understand how to use context. Since the main problem/situation is also solved behind the scenes, younger audiences might get confused on what happened. However, as someone who could somewhat read the characters, I could understand what was going on and thought it was a really nice to have Chinese dialogue.
I really enjoyed the representation in this book. Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the ARC!
I really enjoyed the representation in this book. Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the ARC!
November 15, 2024
I received and ARC of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This graphic novel is a little strange, for lack of a better world. The art is appropriate and captivating. The story is inspiring. The relationships are good and experience growth. It highlights diversity. But it just didn't really do it for me. I think kids (or adults) who are really interested in Asian cultures and the Asian art styles will really enjoy it. As long as it sits okay with them that an apparently human girl has pandas for parents. I'm assuming that all of the strange part animal adults are some kind of metaphor that I didn't understand. So all in all-not a bad graphic novel. But not for me.
This graphic novel is a little strange, for lack of a better world. The art is appropriate and captivating. The story is inspiring. The relationships are good and experience growth. It highlights diversity. But it just didn't really do it for me. I think kids (or adults) who are really interested in Asian cultures and the Asian art styles will really enjoy it. As long as it sits okay with them that an apparently human girl has pandas for parents. I'm assuming that all of the strange part animal adults are some kind of metaphor that I didn't understand. So all in all-not a bad graphic novel. But not for me.
November 19, 2024
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ebook/ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really appreciated the message behind this book and the care the author took in explaining its meaning, as well as its broader impact. The notes at the end, which delve into Chinatown's history, the effects of gentrification, and even language insights, were a fantastic addition. The author skillfully weaves all of this into a compelling story, and I found myself rooting for Noodle and Bao the whole way through! The food illustrations were a delightful touch and definitely had me craving some delicious dishes as I read.
I’d recommend this book to just about anyone whether you're a foodie or interested in learning more about the history of Chinatowns.
I really appreciated the message behind this book and the care the author took in explaining its meaning, as well as its broader impact. The notes at the end, which delve into Chinatown's history, the effects of gentrification, and even language insights, were a fantastic addition. The author skillfully weaves all of this into a compelling story, and I found myself rooting for Noodle and Bao the whole way through! The food illustrations were a delightful touch and definitely had me craving some delicious dishes as I read.
I’d recommend this book to just about anyone whether you're a foodie or interested in learning more about the history of Chinatowns.
October 22, 2024
This book turns into community activism fighting gentrification. But it starts with Momo bopping around being cute and obnoxious. I appreciate her fierce friendship and loyalty, and I remember being a kid who was deeply tied to my community -- so I have a lot of empathy for where Momo is coming from, but I just didn't feel like the plot flow worked for me. Probably the intended audience will enjoy the sort of shorthand of setting leading into the main attraction, but I just wanted more character and plot development. The art is very cute, though, and I love how there are inhabitants of many backgrounds.
November 8, 2024
Two children with a deep passion for their culture and the town they grew up in are determined to save their home from the looming threat of gentrification. Will they succeed in their mission to protect it before it’s too late?
I love how this serious issue is portrayed in a whimsical way. The author uses humor to make the story approachable, while the informative backstory adds valuable context. Illustrated in black and white with shades of salmon, Noodle and Bao is charming, filled with playful illustrations.
Overall, this graphic novel is an empowering blend of delicious food, humor, and advocacy. Ideal ages 8-12
I love how this serious issue is portrayed in a whimsical way. The author uses humor to make the story approachable, while the informative backstory adds valuable context. Illustrated in black and white with shades of salmon, Noodle and Bao is charming, filled with playful illustrations.
Overall, this graphic novel is an empowering blend of delicious food, humor, and advocacy. Ideal ages 8-12
August 1, 2024
Thank you HarperCollins Children's Books, Quill Tree Books, and NetGalley for the advanced electronic review copy of this book. This is a great story about empowerment and coming together as a community to solve a problem. A guide on gentrification is provided at the end of the book. Interesting art style and a mix of human and animal characters would appeal to the intended audience (children). Overall, a quick read with a wonky pacing and a strong message about resilience, friendship, and empowerment.
October 10, 2024
The story is obvious: the little guy taking on the big guy/the small town getting taken over by big money, but overall it is fun and fresh. There were a few bumps in the flow of things and the animals and human living side-by-side is odd (maybe it is the people are personalities?) but it keeps things light as we see gentrification at work. The use of details and colors are minimal but important. The extras at the end are a great round up for the historical and cultural background. (Though currently available, I read via an online reader copy).
November 3, 2024
Couldn't put this down. I was drawn in by Shaina's fresh, energetic and dreamy manga-inspired drawings, and the fun fantasy parallel universe of humans and animal-people. I loved the spirited, kid-friendly understanding of gentrification and community action, nestled in a love of fragrant comfort foods. This story hugs you tight, even as it pulls you through heart-rending challenges of holding on to a changing community, and illuminates compelling backstories of elders hidden in plain sight. Loved it!
June 16, 2024
got an ARC on NetGalley :) I really liked this! the pacing was a bit odd at times and a lot of the conflict was solved in the end off-camera which was odd? but it's a children's book so more simple plot isn't necessarily a bad thing. the art was super cute and I loved the mixture of human & animal characters :) it also made me very hungry to read this lol. & the bilingual inclusion was really cool!
July 15, 2024
I read an e-galley of Noodle & Bao and absolutely loved it! The discussion around gentrification is integrated in the story in a way that is perfectly palatable for young audiences. The Animal Crossing comp is spot on because the illustrations show a community of people and talking animals. This is going on my “Christmas presents for cousins” list because I think it’d make the perfect gift. I recommend this for upper elementary and middle school. This would be great for reluctant readers.
August 25, 2024
This book was definitely a cute one. From the animations to the sense of community made it very enjoyable for me. They touch on topics of gentrification and changes in the communities that the native people do not condone and want. If it��s one thing this comic book taught me, it is that it’s better for everyone to stick together and speak out, especially when it’s something that affects everyone.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews