Weaving Threads of Belonging: Exploring Identity in Summer at Squee with Andrea Wang

The Children's Book Review: Growing Readers Podcast

In this engaging conversation, Andrea Wang shares insights into her latest book, Summer at Squee, where she explores themes of community, identity, and inclusivity.

Delve into the heart of Squee Camp, a vibrant setting where Phoenny Fang navigates friendships, cultural experiences, and her own biases. Discover the inspirations behind Andrea's storytelling, from her personal experiences at a Chinese heritage camp to her reflections on anti-Asian racism. Learn how Andrea crafted authentic representation while making the story relatable to a diverse audience. Uncover the threads of empathy and belonging woven throughout her narrative and explore the transformative power of embracing joy and shared experiences.

As Andrea reflects on her writing process and highlights from the book, listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the rich tapestry of identity and community depicted in Summer at Squee.

Transcription: ⁠You can read the ⁠transcription on ⁠The Children's Book Review⁠⁠.

Order a Copy:

Summer at Squee on Amazon and Bookshop.org.

Discussion Topics:

Andrea Wang Talks About:

• Exploring the Concept of Community: How Summer at Squee portrays the dynamics of community within the camp setting.

• Cultural Identity and Representation: How the book tackles themes of cultural identity, particularly focusing on Phoenny Fang's journey of self-discovery as she navigates her Chinese heritage within a multicultural environment.

• Addressing Bias and Prejudice: How the narrative addresses issues of bias and prejudice, particularly in Phoenny's interactions with other campers.

• Writing Process and Inspirations: Her creative process behind crafting Summer at Squee, inspirations for the story, including her own experiences at a Chinese heritage camp, and how she approached the development of characters and plot elements.

• Themes of Inclusivity and Belonging: The importance of creating inclusive spaces, both within literature and in real-life communities, and ways to foster a sense of belonging for all individuals.

Resources: You can visit Andrea Wang online at ⁠⁠https://andreaywang.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/andreawhywang/.

Our Book Spotlight Sponsor:

P.J. Davis, author of Nemesis and the Vault of Lost Time

Available on Amazon

For more information, visit https://www.PJDavisAuthor.com.