Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Friend-focused, Chinese myth sequel with whimsy baked in.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In WINSTON CHU VS. THE WINGMEISTERS, Mr. Gu unveils his Community High-Tech Units, or CHUs, at a publicity event for his mayoral campaign. Winston's mom is touched that the free computer kiosks run by veterans will be named after her late husband, while Winston thinks Mr. Gu—aka Mirth, Mr. Pang's magpie shapeshifting brother—is up to something. And when Mr. Pang appears wielding his Peeps spies and a rubber chicken, then he knows Mr. Gu is trouble. The only problem is, Winston can't convince his friends Mav, Cassa, and Bijal or his sister Philippa of the truth. Then he realizes Mirth has used his powers of charm to brainwash them all. It's a problem only a magic pie can fix.
Is It Any Good?
This Chinese myth-inspired, friendship-filled sequel has plenty of inventiveness and whimsy baked in. When pie is the most dangerous thing you can literally throw at the enemy, a fun ride is guaranteed. Then there's the ingenious locations of Mr. Pang's whimsy shop and Mr. Gu's hideout, and brainwashing automatons, and enigmatic owlet-nightjars—well, just one of those, but plenty of birds overall, the shapeshifting celestial kind and otherwise. Book 1, Winston Chu vs. the Whimsies, had a bit more Chu family drama, which centered the story. Here it's about friends and siblings looking out for one another. When Winston's best friend Mav goes rogue to help his older brother, Winston understands. He'd do the same for his sister, Philippa. While the writing could always be more detailed, especially on trips to Treasure Island and Mr. Pang's shop, the story keeps a good pace and each mystery unfolds well, piece by delicious pie piece.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about teamwork in Winston Chu vs. the Wingmeisters. How do Winston and his friends work together to stop Mr. Gu? What skills does each friend—Cassa, Mav, Bijal—bring to the table? How do older siblings Philippa and Monroe help?
Winston makes big social mistakes at Dani's house and playing soccer with Zander at school. How does he show integrity afterward?
What well-loved objects that you possess do you think could power Mr. Pang's popcorn machine?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Cooking , Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship , School ( Middle School ) , Robots , Animals ( Wild Animals )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Empathy , Integrity , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Rick Riordan Presents
- Publication date : February 6, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 368
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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