AD Celeste Knudsen and design, lettering Kathy Lam <3!! Cover design process here!

Noodle & Bao (2024)

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?

Reviews:

"Blending silly moments and fantastical elements with a more serious real-world issue, this book serves as both a loving tribute to Chinatowns and an invitation to young readers to stand up against injustice in their own communities." -Horn Book (★ starred review!)

"An empowering combination of food, humor, and advocacy." — Kirkus Reviews

"Timely and engaging, the book’s adorable characters and heartwarming ­approach to a serious issue will have broad appeal." — School Library Journal

"Lu thoughtfully and respectfully dives into issues around gentrification. . . . Young readers will likely recognize Town 99’s struggles in their own communities and be empowered by Momo’s challenging but galvanizing experiences of activism." — Booklist

"Rich, layered and bursting with charm. Noodle & Bao is a tasteful ode to the importance of community. Shaina Lu leaves us craving for more!" — Laura Gao, creator of Messy Roots and Kirby's Lessons for Falling (In Love)

“Lu not only takes on the big topic of gentrification but also expertly dives into the personal intricacies that come along with it. Lu’s dynamic characters navigate a quickly changing town and the internal complexities of belonging, all in beautifully drawn art with a mouth-watering menu!”  — Liz Montague, cartoonist and author/illustrator of Maybe an Artist and Brooklyn School of Magic

Other Press:

Artist, Writer Shaina Lu Draws From Life Stories in Chinatown / Noodle & Bao与归属感:吕明颖笔下的社会变化, Sampan
Local artist, author Shaina Lu talks art activism and pays homage to Chinatown activists in upcoming book, The Scope
The Seekers, Ed. Harvard Ed Magazine

ISBN: 9780063283411
Publisher: HarperCollins / QuillTree
Publication Date: Oct 15, 2024
Pages: 224 pages
Language: English 
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction, Graphic Novels
Recommended Age: 8-12