A seventh grader’s Chinese and Muslim identities take center stage as she navigates friendship tensions and self-acceptance... Ma offers a rich, relatable, and inclusive story that’s perfect for young readers grappling with their own questions of belonging. Accessible and engaging, this novel shines as an exceptional tale of self-acceptance and understanding. — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

[T]he message of embracing one’s identity shines brightly. With gentle themes of activism and identity, this book will appeal to fans of Once Upon an Eid, edited by S. K. Ali and Aisha Saeed (2020), and Andrea Wang’s The Many Meanings of Meilan (2021). — Booklist

"The nuanced narrative...thoughtfully considers attempts at honoring multiple facets of identity as well as navigating feelings that can arise when old friends form new social bonds." — Publishers Weekly