Morning Sun in Wuhan by Ying Chang Compestine

Reviewer: Deb Alig, Circulation Assistant

Genre: Fiction

Suggested Age: 8 – 12

What is this book about? This captivating novel begins in January of 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in Wuhan, China – the location where the virus is said to have originated. Mei, the main character, is a thirteen-year-old girl who lives with just her father ever since her mother passed away unexpectedly. Mei’s father is the doctor who is in charge of the respiratory department at the local hospital. Since the onset of a very contagious respiratory illness, Mei’s father has been working long hours at the hospital often leaving her home alone to fend for herself. One day after school, Mei comes home to find the house empty, but the refrigerator and cupboards are packed with food. Her father left her a note on the refrigerator door reminding her to wear a mask at all times when out in public and not to go near the hospital because of the contagious virus. When Mei looks out of her window, she sees people lined up outside of the hospital and she wonders if they are sick with this new virus. To help distract from worry, Mei plays an online video game called Chop Chop. It’s a virtual cooking game that she loves to play because she loves to cook, and she is quite good at both the game and cooking. In Chop Chop, players must cook for soldiers who protect them from zombies. The goal is to make the soldiers strong by cooking delicious food that they like and will eat. Mei plays the game with two boys, Ming and Hong. Ming’s grandmother becomes ill with the virus and Mei tries to get to her father at the hospital hoping he can give her some medicine for Ming’s grandma. When Mei leaves the apartment, she can’t believe what she sees. The streets are jammed with traffic.  People are wearing make-shift masks, trying to get into the hospital. The lobby is crowded and people are coughing. The nurses and doctors are dressed in hazmat suits. The hospital smells of strong disinfectant. Mei’s father scolds her for coming to the hospital and sends her home. A Public Safety Alert appears on Mei’s phone announcing that Wuhan will be closed down due to the new coronavirus. All schools, offices, and shops will be closed and all residents should stay home. Because stores and market places are closed, people must rely on their community directors to get them food. Mei asks her friends who she plays Chop Chop with to help out. The group is called the Phoenix Group and together they help Mrs. Fong, their Community Director, deliver food to people in their complex. As the virus spreads, city officials board up doorways, forcing the people inside to quarantine. An emergency kitchen is set up in Wuhan to help prepare meals for frontline workers. Mei’s Aunty is in charge. Mei asks her Aunty if the emergency kitchen can prepare meals for neighbors who are too sick to do so and she volunteers to help. Mei helps cook, and the Phoenix Group helps deliver the food. Though Mei is so busy volunteering, she can’t help worrying about her father who works the frontline. Time passes and by Chinese New Year 2021, the lock down has been lifted. Mei and her family and friends come together at a restaurant to watch the New Year’s parade and to view a broadcast recognizing Mei and the Phoenix Group for their efforts in fighting COVID-19.

My Review: I enjoyed reading this novel for many reasons. Each chapter began with a Chinese proverb. The proverb is written in Chinese and English. Each proverb was selected by the author to help give perspective to the events of the chapter. Each chapter ended with an easy-to-follow recipe of a dish that was made in the chapter. The author also began each chapter with a date starting Chapter One in January of 2020 and ending with the Epilogue in February of 2021. I think providing this timeline authenticated the story. Morning Sun in Wuhan is a great novel for middle level readers. It is based on a true story about a young woman from Wuhan who led a group of volunteers who fed frontline medical workers during the pandemic, and it shares with young people what the pandemic was like for their peers in China. I highly recommend this book for educators and their middle school students. It teaches that young people can make a significant difference in the world and that the sun always rises even during the darkest times, just like in Wuhan.

Three Words That Describe This Book:  captivating, poignant, and dramatic

Give this a try if you like: Other books by Ying Chang Compestine such as Secrets of the Terra-Cotta Soldier, Revolution is Not a Dinner Party, or A Banquet for Hungry Ghosts.

If you read Morning Sun in Wuhan and enjoy the recipes, I recommended Ying Chang Compestine’s cookbook Ying’s Best One-Dish Meals.

Rating:  5/5

Find it at the library!