Ly-Lan and the Unfair Book Fair

Gr 1-2–Third grader Ly-Lan is excited! The book fair, one of her favorite events, will soon be at her school. She has the money she’s earned in her pocket, and her shopping list is ready (the latest book in her favorite series, two posters, and some squishy-topped pencils). But when she finds out that some kids don’t have money to buy books, Ly-Lan begins to think that maybe the book fair isn’t so fair itself. Then she discovers that prices at the book fair have gone up since last time, and she doesn’t have enough money for everything she wants to buy. But Ly-Lan is a good problem-solver and comes up with ideas that will turn the situation around. Like many of Dinh’s books, this novel centers themes of cultural diversity, friendship, fairness, kindness, empathy, overcoming challenges, and consideration of others’ circumstances. These themes can serve as good conversation starters between young readers and their parents or teachers. Short chapters will keep young readers engaged as they enjoy Bishop’s grayscale illustrations of Ly-Lan, her family, and her friends on nearly every page. The book shares elements of Dinh’s Vietnamese heritage with young readers, offering a guide to pronouncing the characters’ names and a glossary of the Vietnamese words used throughout the text. The book also includes a handful of references to God and Sunday school.