5^th Grade and Up

Thirteen-year-old Mei remembers so many things her mother said and did. Now, a year since her death, she cherishes those memories more than ever. Her doctor father works nonstop at an overcrowded hospital, and as a mysterious virus spreads through Wuhan, Mei finds herself alone in a locked-down city with little but her love of cooking and computer games to comfort her.

Drawing upon her own experiences of growing up in Wuhan, Ying Chang Compestine weaves in the distinctive cuisine and vivid sights and sounds of an ancient city. In an uplifting and genuine depiction, she shows how the darkest times can bring out the best in people, friendship can give one courage in frightening times, and most importantly, young people can make an impact on the world.

A story that centers around the COVID-19 pandemic and food seems like a strange combination, but it works.

According to the World Health Organization Country Office in China, COVID-19 first emerged in Wuhan, China. So it was interesting to read about how the people of Wuhan reacted to COVID-19 in the beginning. It wasn’t all that different from how people in the U.S. reacted. People running around in a panic, hoarding food, and wearing homemade masks made out of ridiculous materials. Different place and culture, same reaction.

I loved Mei’s in-depth cooking scenes. Even though I’m not a big fan of food, all the dishes sound delicious. Foodies and young chefs will appreciate all of the Wuhanese recipes incorporated throughout the story.

A cooking glossary, a list of basic cutting techniques, an Author’s Note, and a short summary on COVID-19 are included at the back of the book.