This middle-grade graphic novel takes a trip to 1885 Sierra Nevada a few years after the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act. With a young protagonist, the story delves into the issue of identity among second-generation Chinese immigrants. Taking place in a logging camp, it showcases the racial politics that defined the era for the immigrants trying to make a life in America. As such Mei finds refuge in her tall tales—inspired by Paul Bunyan folklore—about a Chinese heroine with a blue ox who protects the workers. Furthermore, the narrative weaves in her queer awakening, as the relationship with Bee becomes more complex with conflicted feelings. The novel explores themes from the power of storytelling, reconciling tradition and foreign culture to persevering in the face of oppression.
Though born in Nevada and lived her whole life in America, Mei still encounters discrimination in this society which breeds an identity crisis. As a storyteller, she finds the balance through the tall tales about Auntie Po that entertains but also provides some reassurance. Using the folklore to address the coming together of the rituals and traditions of the Chinese heritage and the American culture. Akin to Paul Bunyan, Auntie Po possesses superhuman attributes to protect the loggers and laborers from the threats that lurk in the camp. However, the legendary Chinese matriarch cannot shield the Chinese populace from the political developments that intensify the violence against them. The treatment of the workers worsens with the passage of the law that prevents all immigrants from relocating into the country. In the story, the violence against black communities is also addressed to highlight the racial violence that affected a multitude of groups.
The graphic novel gives a sense of place with the depictions and the storytelling that mixes childhood innocence with social and political commentary. Booklist reviewed “On the surface, this story is the birth of a folktale, but the author explores much deeper topics: grief, family, loyalty, racism, and self-discovery. … Watercolors are beautiful and illustrations are clean and simple, conveying a childlike air while tackling serious subject matter.”
