Maizy Chen's Last Chance

Chapter 1 

The pies were fake, but my grandparents didn t know that. Not at first, anyway. My mother had invited them to watch her work on a Tasty Flaky Pie Crust commercial. When I first started going with her to the set, Mom told me, As a food stylist, my job is to make sure everything looks good for the camera.  

Oma and Opa showed up directly from the airport wearing matching airplane pillows around their necks. My job was to make sure they didn t get into trouble. 

My grandmother s luggage had barely touched the floor when she rushed over and, in her excitement, practically knocked me down. Oma s hug felt awkward partly because of the neck pillow and also because, even though I was eight years old, it was the first time I d met her in person. My best friend thinks it s weird that I don t know my grandparents that well. Her family is really close. 

It s complicated, I ve tried explaining to Ginger. But the truth is, I don t understand it myself. My mom and I talk about almost everything, but when it comes to her relationship with her parents, that s a different story. 

On the set, Opa beamed brighter than the soundstage lights dangling overhead. Maizy, you re so big! my grandfather kept repeating before he got distracted by the pretend kitchen with only one wall. 

That s when Oma pointed to a tight circle of people. Shouldn t they be working? she asked. Why aren t they working?  

Mom stood calmly in the middle while the director yelled, Charlotte, I need practice pies, now!  

You ll get your pies, Mom said, motioning to the two-dozen pies lined up on folding tables. 

Some were fully baked, others were ready for the oven, preparing for their close-ups. My grandparents watched in shocked silence as Mom s perfectly rounded scoops of mashed potatoes stood in for vanilla ice cream, since potatoes don t melt. Instead of milk, glasses were

Lisa Yee is a Newbery Honoree and National Book Award finalist for Maizy Chen s Last Chance. She is also the author of over 21 books for young people, including the groundbreaking Millicent Min, Girl Genius; Stanford Wong Flunks Big-Time; and the DC Super Hero Girls novel series. Lisa is a frequent contributor to NPR s Books We Love. A third-generation Chinese American, Lisa says, I wrote Maizy Chen s Last Chance as a tribute to my grandparents and to all the immigrants who made the journey to America. Lisa divides her time between Western Massachusetts and Los Angeles.

Praise for MAIZY CHEN'S LAST CHANCE:

Lisa Yee combines neglected U.S. history and multi-generational family legends to create the delightful and enlightening Maizy Chen's Last Chance. Shelf Awareness, starred review

  A moving, multilayered family narrative. Booklist, starred review

Captivating... and prompts readers to consider what it means to be American. The Horn Book, starred review

"This fast-paced, humorous, heartwarming tale of family and history is likely to appeal to readers of all ages." School Library Journal, starred review

Heartfelt, personal, and real this book is a gift. Tae Keller, Newbery-winning author of When You Trap a Tiger

Bursting with humor and heart. Kate Messner, New York Times bestselling author of Breakout

I love this book. This is a big story and brings up much-needed discussion about the importance of community, history, and truth. Rita Williams-Garcia, Newbery Honor-winning author of One Crazy Summer