Published by Simon Spotlight on June 29, 2021
Genres: Chapter Book, Graphic Novel
Pages: 64
Format: Hardcover
Source: Publisher
Geraldine Pu’s favorite part of school is lunch. She loves her lunch box, which she calls Biandang. She can’t wait to see what her grandmother, Amah, has packed inside it each day. Then one day, Geraldine gets stinky tofu...and an unexpected surprise. What will she do?
I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Geraldine Pu loves her family, her Biandang (lunchbox), and school. But after a boy at lunch (Nico) makes fun of her lunch, she’s reluctant to eat the food her Amah (grandmother) prepares for her. Soon, the other students join in, even making fun of her last name. When Nico begins making fun of another student at her lunch table, Geraldine decides to take a stand.
Geraldine Pu and Her Lunch Box, Too! is a delightful book. It’s humorous, but it also explores serious topics like name-calling and teasing (in a mean, hurtful way), shaming one’s culture and heritage, and feeling guilt over the shame. In the process, it shows the importance of respecting cultural differences—which requires us to set aside our preconceived biases, that we may respond with kindness and a learner’s heart.
When I was a child, my mom was careful to avoid packing lunchboxes that other students find offensive, because of the ingredients or smell. We knew another Asian student who was ridiculed because of his lunchbox, and she didn’t want it to happen to me. Sometimes, I wonder what would have changed if I ate more of my favorite “smelly” foods at lunch. But another part of me understands the choices my mom made on my behalf. Because societal prejudices haven’t changed much since I was a child.
We need more stories like Geraldine Pu and Her Lunchbox, Too! Stories that portray the impact of unkind words, based on prejudices against another culture, and to offer ways we can take a stand for kindness.
Discussion Questions
Have you experienced unkindness because of someone else’s prejudices?
How can we show kindness to others?
What is your favorite “smelly food”? What do you love about it?
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction says
How sad that you (and your mom) felt like you couldn’t bring many of your favorite Asian foods to school because kids would make fun of you. Kids can certainly be picky and smells are a big factor for what they do and don’t like. Maybe reading this book will help some kids be more understanding and think twice before they judge someone else’s lunch!