Peiling and the Chicken-Fried Christmas by Pauline Chen

11-year-old Peiling is dying to celebrate Christmas. She wants to get a tree, decorate her house, make cookies, and, at the end of school break, tell all her school friends about the presents she received. Peiling's parents, who emigrated from China seven years ago, have raised their daughter in a very traditional Chinese way, but at Peiling's request, they decide to try celebrating an "American Christmas." This is a beautiful story about family, school friends (good and bad), a crazy teacher, and learning that the grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence. Review by Joyce Levine