Don’t Cause Trouble
by Arree Chung; illus. by the author
Middle School    Holt    256 pp.
4/25    9781250887290    $22.99
Paper ed.  9781250887306    $14.99
e-book ed.  9781250425195    $9.99

In this graphic novel that blends serious themes and humor, the parental mantra “don’t cause trouble” has been drilled into twelve-year-old Ming Lee’s head for as long as he can remember. As a child of Chinese immigrants, he yearns to embrace the American dream but finds himself missing the mark. His mom insists on giving him the same bowl haircut year after year, shopping at thrift stores for clothes, and packing homemade dumplings for his school lunch, all of which sets him apart from his classmates and ruins his chances of being part of the in-crowd. Filled with episodes revolving around fitting in, encountering microaggressions and outright racism, maintaining religious faith, and grappling with self-acceptance, along with lighter moments, the book captures the ups and downs of middle school, largely drawn (per an author’s note) from Chung’s own life. The crisp line drawings are infused with vibrant colors and punctuated by Ming’s sporadic doodles.

From the July/August 2025 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.