Yang, Gene Luen. Lunar New Year Love Story. LeUyen Pham, Illus. First Second, 01/2024. 343 [+9]pp. Graphic. Trade $25.99. 978-1-626-72810-3. Paper $17.99. 978-1-250-90826-1. GRADES 8–12. OUTSTANDING.
Valentina (Val) loves to love Valentine’s Day. But once Val starts high school, St. Valentine becomes a grim reminder of what Val has lost: friends, family, a love life. Ultimately, Val makes a deal with St. Valentine that will take all Val’s pain away. The cost? Love itself. This young adult graphic novel effortlessly utilizes the Lunar New Year holiday preparations and traditions as a portal into the lives of these Vietnamese, Korean, and Chinese American characters. Pham’s artistry is evident in the consistency of her color palette that explores different shades of oranges, violets, reds, and pinks, those traditional colors of Valentine’s Day, that are used year-round. The characters present mostly as Asian Americans with some Black and white characters. Set in Oakland, this is a must for California library collections and fans of romance and graphic novels. Includes California-specific content.
Pauline Harris—San Francisco Public Library