When You Wish Upon a Lantern

Gr 7 Up–Liya’s and Kai’s families own stores next to each other in Chicago’s Chinatown neighborhood, but their fathers are in a feud over the shared alley and dumpster. Liya and Kai used to be best friends who both secretly wished for something more, until an epic misunderstanding ended in Liya throwing up all over him. When Liya discovers her family’s wishing lantern store’s financial problems, she extends the olive branch so Kai can use his baking skills to help her make wishes come true—something she used to do with her late Năinai. Parental expectations, sibling rivalry, grief over Năinai’s passing, self-discovery, and blooming love make this a summer to remember as Kai and Liya help out their community (including an adorable subplot where they play matchmaker for elderly neighbors). Told in alternating chapters, Chao’s narrative has Kai and Liya both face distinct issues with their families and their plans for the future, and they remain supportive friends even as they sort out their tangled romantic feelings. In addition to loving each other, their love for their community is palpable and refreshing, grounding this tale in a strong sense of place.