Keep Dancing, Lizzie Chu

About this book

Since the death of his wife, Lizzie's beloved wai gong, her grandad, has been acting strangely. He forgets Lizzie's birthday for one thing. So when Lizzie discovers that her grandma organised tickets to the Tower Ballroom in Blackpool as a present, Lizzie comes up with a plan to get Wai Gong there. Perhaps the memory of dancing there with her grandma will help him? But first, Lizzie will need the help of her friends Chi and Tyler - and a lot of luck!

Warmhearted and funny, this is a story about family love - and dressing up in fantastic costumes. Lizzie is a young carer and doesn't really realise it - she just gets on with taking care of her wai gong, who has dementia. Her grandparents brought her up - kinship care - and now she's looking after them. Maisie Chan's portrayal of a child having to deal with tough times is both sensitive and clear-eyed. By the end, Lizzie learns to ask for support, though her friends have been providing that all along, in their own ways. All that said, it's not a sad book. It's a slice of everyday life, with much humour along the way, and a Chinese goddess theme! 

Highly recommended.