Common Sense Media Review
By JK Sooja
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Chinese American family faces racism in powerful novel.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In The Secret Battle of Evan Pao, a Chinese American family moves to a new town in Virginia. Starting at a new high school obsessed with the U.S. Civil War (and reenacting it), Evan's teacher wonders what Evan will do, and if he might just want to be a "scribe" and sit back while all the other kids play soldiers. She says the event has a "certain look" and that Evan doesn't fit in. But Evan does some research and finds that Chinese people did actually fight in the Civil War. How will the town and his peers handle the disruption of Evan's sudden presence in their previously all-White school?
Is It Any Good?
This positive and powerful middle grade novel about a Chinese American family facing racism in their new town is a fast read, quickly paced with a palpable sense of tension and danger. Coming from diverse California, Virginia is a culture shock for Evan's family, and the situation demands that they be incredibly careful not to anger their neighbors, school teachers, and police. There's a strong feeling of danger throughout The Secret Battle of Evan Pao, but the central piece of violence produces no tragic consequences.
Given the genre and target audience, it's understandable that the primary acts of racism that Evan's family face do not lead to worse tragedy. But it's hard not to imagine much worse befalling Evan and his family if this novel wasn't for middle grade readers. Still, it's a strong and important book that offers new ways of handling, thinking about, and reacting to racism.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how racism is portrayed in The Secret Battle of Evan Pao. What do you think of how Evan and his family handle the racism they experience after moving to Virginia?
Would you have done anything differently than Evan when dealing with the Griggs family?
How realistic do you think this story is? Why or why not?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : School
- Topics : Activism , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship , School ( High School )
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Courage , Empathy , Perseverance
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Scholastic Press
- Publication date : June 7, 2022
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 272
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : December 4, 2025
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