Hot, Sour, Salty, Sweet Book

Ana Shen has what her social studies teacher calls a “marvelously biracial, multicultural family” but what Ana simply calls a Chinese American father and an African American mother. And on eighth-grade graduation day, that’s a recipe for disaster. Both sets of grandparents are in town to celebrate, and Ana’s best friend has convinced her to invite Jamie Tabata–the cutest boy in school–for a home-cooked meal. Now Ana and her family have four hours to prepare their favorite dishes for dinner, and Grandma White and Nai Nai can’t agree on anything. Ana is tired of feeling caught between her grandparents and wishes she knew whose side she was supposed to be on. But when they all sit down for their hot, sour, salty, and sweet meal, Ana comes to understand how each of these different flavors, like family, fit perfectly together.

Children's Literature

On the day of Ana's 8th Grade graduation, her family gathers to celebrate, but when a freak plumbing accident cancels the school dance, Ana's best friend steps in to make sure Ana can see her crush one last time before they go to separate high schools—by inviting him and his family to Ana's house for dinner! Ana's grandparents, who do not get along, are thrilled to offer their services to make dinner a success, but can Ana's family survive the dueling recipes? Grandma White, an African-American woman from Louisiana, will make her gumbo, and Nai Nai, Ana's Chinese immigrant grandmother, will make her mango pudding, but catastrophes with different kinds of rice and over-the-top graduation presents leave Ana feeling that the dinner will be a disaster. Through a day filled with food and stories, Ana begins to realize that, even though her family might drive her crazy, they are still her family, and they love her no matter what, all in their own ways. Many readers, especially those just beginning to question their own family's political structures, will be able to relate to Ana and her peace-keeping efforts. Reviewer: Kathleen Foucart