Common Sense Media Review
By Amanda Nojadera
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Hilarious story of MIT freshman juggling culture, freedom.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In AMERICAN PANDA, 17-year-old Mei Lu's parents have already planned the perfect life for her: graduate from MIT, become a doctor, and marry a Taiwanese Ivy Leaguer. But her parents don't know about her fear of germs, her passion for dance, or her crush on Darren, her Japanese American classmate. When she reconnects with her estranged older brother, Mei begins to wonder if she'll ever be able to truly be herself without disappointing her parents or abandoning her Taiwanese culture.
Is It Any Good?
The emotional mother-daughter relationship, sweet interracial romance, and vivid college setting make this hilarious coming-of-age tale a must-read for teens. Mei's awkwardness plus her fear of germs and her mom's overprotective voicemails provide plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. Some of the Mandarin words can be confusing, but you don't need to be Asian or a child of an immigrant to relate to American Panda. It's clear Mei has a deep respect for her family and culture, but her longing for independence is equally strong. Readers will root for her as she figures out a way to embrace both cultures while staying true to herself.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the generational conflict in American Panda. Do your grandparents or parents have values or traditions you think are old-fashioned and have no place in today's world?
Talk about the various kinds of diversity in the novel. Why are diverse representations important in children's and young adult literature?
Mother-daughter relationships can be fraught with tension and strong bonds. Do any of the conflicts in the book sound familiar to you?
How do the characters demonstrate courage and communication? Why are these important character strengths?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Coming of Age
- Topics : Arts , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , STEM
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Simon Pulse
- Publication date : February 6, 2018
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 12 - 18
- Number of pages : 320
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate