Taiwanese immigrant Anna and her family make a shocking discovery that puts their American dreams at risk in this searing middle grade novel in verse, a companion to In the Beautiful Country, which Gene Luen Yang called “vivid and hopeful.”

* A Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choices List Selection *

Anna’s family have settled into life in California—their small restaurant is even turning a profit. Then her parents make a shattering discovery: their visas have expired.

Anna’s world is quickly overwhelmed by unfamiliar words like “undocumented.” She longs to share the towering secret that looms over every aspect of her life with a friend, but her parents strictly forbid her from telling anyone.

As Anna grapples with the complexities of being undocumented, the strain that it places on her family, and the loneliness of keeping it all to herself, she has to wonder—if America is the promised land, why does everything she’s hoped for feel like a lie?

Perfect for fans of Kelly Yang, Reem Faruqi, and Jasmine Warga, this moving AAPI story and middle grade novel in verse, inspired by the author’s own experiences, focuses on themes of legal documentation, identity, and language’s ability to divide and unite. 

• A Poignant Immigrant Story: Based on the author’s own experience, this book explores the heart-wrenching reality of a family living with an expired visa and the fear of being discovered.
• Deeply Felt Family Struggles: Anna must carry the heavy secret of being undocumented, a burden that strains her family and forces her to question everything she’s ever known.
• A Raw Coming of Age Journey: As Anna grapples with loneliness and fear, she must find her own voice and discover what it truly means to belong in the land of broken promises.
• Essential Taiwanese American Voices: Perfect for classrooms and young readers seeking stories about identity, this book offers a powerful window into the Taiwanese American experience.