Finally Seen

After five years of living with her grandma in Beijing, Lina is finally getting to join her Mum, Dad and little sister in the US. This is what she has dreamed of for so long but the reality isn’t at all what she expected.

Instead of a pretty little house, they live in a cramped apartment. Her parents work long hours in low-paid jobs and the kids at school laugh at her English. Life is miserable and Lina gets used to swallowing her feelings so as not to upset the rest of the family. But the feelings don’t go away and she becomes silent and withdrawn.

It’s only when an inspirational teacher and a kindly librarian introduce her to graphic novels and stories that reflect her own experience that she finds the confidence to finally be heard and seen.

Reflecting the experiences of many immigrant children and families, Lina’s story exposes the everyday challenges faced by anyone moving to a new country and how hard it can be to fit in.

Showcasing patience, courage and determination, it is also a great illustration of how books allow us to see the world through someone else’s eyes.