 | Noodle & Bao Author: Lu, Shaina | |
| Price: $13.11 | ||
Summary:
Momo has lived in Town 99 her entire life. She knows all its quirks and rhythms, including the fact you can get your best meal at Noodle & Bao, run by Momo's best friend, Bao, and his amah, Noodle. But Town 99 is changing. Rent is becoming unaffordable for Momo and her parents, and even Noodle & Bao has been edged out of its storefront. Momo knows that if she doesn't do something, she'll lose everything she loves about her neighborhood. In graphic novel format.
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (09/01/24)
Booklist (10/15/24)
The Hornbook (+) (00/01/25)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 10/15/2024 Momo loves Chinatown-inspired Town 99, with its lively atmosphere and delicious treats, especially from her friend Bao’s food cart, which they run with their grandma Noodle. But in Town 99, rents are rising, and businesses are getting pushed out. A fancy new café ignites a conflict between a wealthy developer and Noodle & Bao’s food cart, though Bao, who dreams of culinary school, is hungry for change. In bubbly, manga-inspired artwork, Lu thoughtfully and respectfully dives into issues around gentrification, specifically pertaining to food culture: Noodle resists Bao’s new flavors, which reflect the multicultural milieu they’ve grown up in, but she ultimately acknowledges that businesses like theirs need to grow and change to survive. Momo’s efforts at community organizing, too, are handled with nuance: she learns that it’s not as easy as making signs and shouting. Back matter explains the history of Chinatowns in America and describes both gentrification and community organizing in more detail. Young readers will likely recognize Town 99’s struggles in their own communities and be empowered by Momo’s challenging but galvanizing experiences of activism. - Copyright 2024 Booklist.
