The Magic Fish

Tien, a first-generation Vietnamese American young adult, struggles to tell his parents that he is gay. But through the fairy tales that bring them together, Tien and his family find common ground. This engaging graphic novel blends contemporary and historical elements with fairy tales to shine a light on complex conflicts around identity and culture. In a middle-grade or secondary classroom, the novel could be used in independent reading or as part of a literature circle set. Students may be encouraged to explore the graphic novel genre using this text, or teachers may choose the novel to teach how different stories can be interwoven to build a more complex narrative.