For fans of Raina Telgemeier’s Sisters and Jen Wang’s Stargazing comes the empowering autobiographical story of a young Taiwanese American artist struggling to find her voice to save what matters...
For fans of Raina Telgemeier’s Sisters and Jen Wang’s Stargazing comes the empowering autobiographical story of a young Taiwanese American artist struggling to find her voice to save what matters most.
Twelve-year-old Cindy relishes drawing flawless images, but she is stumped by an art contest prompt: “What family means to me.” No one at school can know that Cindy’s dad moved back to Taiwan four years ago, so Cindy sketches out the perfect plan to draw the perfect picture while keeping her parents’ separation secret.
For fans of Raina Telgemeier’s Sisters and Jen Wang’s Stargazing comes the empowering autobiographical story of a young Taiwanese American artist struggling to find her voice to save what matters...
For fans of Raina Telgemeier’s Sisters and Jen Wang’s Stargazing comes the empowering autobiographical story of a young Taiwanese American artist struggling to find her voice to save what matters most.
Twelve-year-old Cindy relishes drawing flawless images, but she is stumped by an art contest prompt: “What family means to me.” No one at school can know that Cindy’s dad moved back to Taiwan four years ago, so Cindy sketches out the perfect plan to draw the perfect picture while keeping her parents’ separation secret.
For fans of Raina Telgemeier’s Sisters and Jen Wang’s Stargazing comes the empowering autobiographical story of a young Taiwanese American artist struggling to find her voice to save what matters most.
Twelve-year-old Cindy relishes drawing flawless images, but she is stumped by an art contest prompt: “What family means to me.” No one at school can know that Cindy’s dad moved back to Taiwan four years ago, so Cindy sketches out the perfect plan to draw the perfect picture while keeping her parents’ separation secret.
Then an unexpected trip to Taipei reveals devastating new secrets. Suddenly everything from Cindy's art to her family is falling apart. With her dream of perfection in tatters, Cindy must figure out how to draw from her heart and share her secrets. But can she really reveal the truth, messy lines and all?
Details
Pages: 272
Publisher: HarperCollins
Imprint: Allida
Publication Date: 4th February 2025
Trim Size: 5.5 x 8 in
Illustration Note: f/c
ISBN: 9780358659662
Reviews
“Phenomenal and powerful. No family is perfect, but How to Draw a Secret is a truly perfect read. I wish I had had this book as a kid.” — —Christina Soontornvat, three-time Newbery Honor recipient and author of The Tryout
“Brilliant! You will want to reread this again and again.” — —Jennifer L. Holm, three-time Newbery Honor recipient and New York Times bestselling co-creator of Sunny Side Up
“How to Draw a Secret is deeply a beautiful book: beautiful to look at, and especially beautiful because of the total honesty in Cindy's confusion, determination, and love for her flawed family.” — —Linda Sue Park, Newbery Medalist and bestselling author of A Long Walk to Water
“A moving portrayal of a family processing fraught, messy changes.” — Kirkus Reviews
“The sunny color palette and emotive facial expressions inject lightheartedness into the tween’s grappling with her parents’ secrets and her own shifting perspective. Readers will root for her growth as an artist and budding adolescent as she embraces the sometimes messy parts of life.” — Publishers Weekly
“[A] vital story of protecting and ultimately shattering the facade of a perfect family. Cindy is able to create a new vision of her family, literally, through the medium of her artwork. Honest and heartfelt.” — School Library Journal
“Cindy discovers her authentic voice and embraces vulnerability to deepen her relationships with those around her. Chang’s animated facial expressions reveal her vibrant personality.”
— Horn Book Magazine
“Readers will relate to this reflective, independent thinker who’s feisty yet loving. Themes of redemption and forgiveness unfold with humor and honesty as this semi-autobiographical tale offers a poignant exploration of family, acceptance, and what it means to love imperfect people.” — Booklist
Author Bio
Cindy Chang was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and holds degrees in education and computer science. She works as a digital product designer in addition to writing and illustrating children’s books. How to Draw a Secret is her first book.
Cindy Chang was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and holds degrees in education and computer science. She works as a digital product designer in addition to writing and illustrating children’s books. How to Draw a Secret is her first book.
For fans of Raina Telgemeier’s Sisters and Jen Wang’s Stargazing comes the empowering autobiographical story of a young Taiwanese American artist struggling to find her voice to save what matters most.
Twelve-year-old Cindy relishes drawing flawless images, but she is stumped by an art contest prompt: “What family means to me.” No one at school can know that Cindy’s dad moved back to Taiwan four years ago, so Cindy sketches out the perfect plan to draw the perfect picture while keeping her parents’ separation secret.
Then an unexpected trip to Taipei reveals devastating new secrets. Suddenly everything from Cindy's art to her family is falling apart. With her dream of perfection in tatters, Cindy must figure out how to draw from her heart and share her secrets. But can she really reveal the truth, messy lines and all?
Pages: 272
Publisher: HarperCollins
Imprint: Allida
Publication Date: 4th February 2025
Trim Size: 5.5 x 8 in
Illustrations Note: f/c
ISBN: 9780358659662
“Phenomenal and powerful. No family is perfect, but How to Draw a Secret is a truly perfect read. I wish I had had this book as a kid.” — —Christina Soontornvat, three-time Newbery Honor recipient and author of The Tryout
“Brilliant! You will want to reread this again and again.” — —Jennifer L. Holm, three-time Newbery Honor recipient and New York Times bestselling co-creator of Sunny Side Up
“How to Draw a Secret is deeply a beautiful book: beautiful to look at, and especially beautiful because of the total honesty in Cindy's confusion, determination, and love for her flawed family.” — —Linda Sue Park, Newbery Medalist and bestselling author of A Long Walk to Water
“A moving portrayal of a family processing fraught, messy changes.” — Kirkus Reviews
“The sunny color palette and emotive facial expressions inject lightheartedness into the tween’s grappling with her parents’ secrets and her own shifting perspective. Readers will root for her growth as an artist and budding adolescent as she embraces the sometimes messy parts of life.” — Publishers Weekly
“[A] vital story of protecting and ultimately shattering the facade of a perfect family. Cindy is able to create a new vision of her family, literally, through the medium of her artwork. Honest and heartfelt.” — School Library Journal
“Cindy discovers her authentic voice and embraces vulnerability to deepen her relationships with those around her. Chang’s animated facial expressions reveal her vibrant personality.”
— Horn Book Magazine
“Readers will relate to this reflective, independent thinker who’s feisty yet loving. Themes of redemption and forgiveness unfold with humor and honesty as this semi-autobiographical tale offers a poignant exploration of family, acceptance, and what it means to love imperfect people.” — Booklist
Cindy Chang was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and holds degrees in education and computer science. She works as a digital product designer in addition to writing and illustrating children’s books. How to Draw a Secret is her first book.
Cindy Chang was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and holds degrees in education and computer science. She works as a digital product designer in addition to writing and illustrating children’s books. How to Draw a Secret is her first book.
