Finally Seen

Written by Kelly Yang

Narrated by Kelly Yang and Cindy Kay

From the New York Times bestselling author of Front Desk comes a “involving, realistic” (Booklist, starred review) middle grade novel about a young girl who leaves China to live with her parents and sister—after five years apart—and learns about family, friendship, and the power of being finally seen.

My sister got to grow up with my parents. Me? I grew up with postcards from my parents.

When ten-year-old Lina Gao steps off the plane in Los Angeles, it’s her first time in America and the first time seeing her parents and her little sister in five years! She’s been waiting for this moment every day while she lived with her grandmother in Beijing, getting teased by kids at school who called her “left behind girl.” Finally, her parents are ready for her to join their fabulous life in America! Except, it’s not exactly like in the postcards:

1. School’s a lot harder than she thought. When she mispronounces some words in English on the first day, she decides she simply won’t talk. Ever again.
2. Her chatty little sister has no problem with English. And seems to do everything better than Lina, including knowing exactly the way to her parents’ hearts.
3. They live in an apartment, not a house like in Mom’s letters, and they owe a lot of back rent from the pandemic. And Mom’s plan to pay it back sounds more like a hobby than a moneymaker.

As she reckons with her hurt, Lina tries to keep a lid on her feelings, both at home and at school. When her teacher starts facing challenges for her latest book selection, a book that deeply resonates with Lina, it will take all of Lina’s courage and resilience to get over her fear and choose a future where she’s finally seen.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Feb 28, 2023
• ISBN: 9781797150451

Kelly Yang

Kelly Yang is the New York Times bestselling author of Front Desk, Three Keys, and Room to Dream and is the winner of the Asian/Pacific American Award for Children’s Literature. She went to college at age thirteen and is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley and Harvard Law School. She is the founder of the Kelly Yang Project, a leading writing and debating program for children in Asia. She lived in Hong Kong for fifteen years, where she taught many parachutes and was a columnist for the South China Morning Post. Her writing has also been published in the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the Atlantic. Kelly currently lives in Los Angeles with her family. Please find her online at www.kellyyang.com. Parachutes is her YA debut.

Reviews for Finally Seen

[Kali · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

this book was so good and cool because it represents a good
family because they were so happy even when they were
having a hard time ?

[kip4taisey · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such a good book need to read ❤️?? hope there is a sequel

[Annie Menzel · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing in every way! So much heart, humor, and powerful realness. A real “sliding door” into everyday life for a deeply feeling, wildly observant Chinese immigrant 5th grader and her family trying to make their way amidst current day US society and its complexities of quotidian racism, exploitative work conditions, and caring teachers, friends, and neighbors.

[Cori Doble · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I liked your book it was the best book ever

[Christina Bustos · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I remember the first book that was ever about someone like me. I was almost 30. Keep telling your story. We all need windows, mirrors and sliding class doors.