Home in a Lunchbox
- Subject
- Social Themes - Emigration & Immigration
- Age
- 3-5 years
- Format
- Hardcover
- Pages
- 40
- Publisher
- Penguin Young Readers Group
- ISBN
- 9780593661345
**WINNER OF THE CALDECOTT HONOR**
**NOW PART OF THE OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER**
Cherry Mo's stunning debut is about a young girl who immigrates to America and finds home in an unexpected place.
When Jun moves from Hong Kong to America, the only words she knows are hello, thank you, I don’t know, and toilet. Her new school feels foreign and terrifying.
But when she opens her lunchbox to find her favorite meals—like bao, dumplings, and bok choy—she realizes home isn’t so far away after all.
Through lush art and spare dialogue, Cherry Mo’s breathtakingly beautiful debut picture book reminds readers that friendship and belonging can be found in every bite.
**NOW PART OF THE OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER**
Cherry Mo's stunning debut is about a young girl who immigrates to America and finds home in an unexpected place.
When Jun moves from Hong Kong to America, the only words she knows are hello, thank you, I don’t know, and toilet. Her new school feels foreign and terrifying.
But when she opens her lunchbox to find her favorite meals—like bao, dumplings, and bok choy—she realizes home isn’t so far away after all.
Through lush art and spare dialogue, Cherry Mo’s breathtakingly beautiful debut picture book reminds readers that friendship and belonging can be found in every bite.
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What reviewers said
**Winner of the Caldecott Honor**
An Indie Next List Pick
An ALSC Notable Children's Book
A New York Public Library Best Book of the Year
A Bookshop Best Book of the Year
A Kirkus Best Book of the Year
An Evanston Public Library Best Book of the Year
A CSMCL Best Book of the Year
An NCTE/CLA 2025 Notable Children's Book in the Language Arts
A Capitol Choices Noteworthy Book
An ILA Notable Children's Book for a Global Society
A Bank Street Best Book of the Year
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
Pennsylvania Center for the Book 2025 Baker's Dozen Award Winner
"In an exceptional debut, Mo deploys digital illustrations that expertly use selective coloring to depict an experience of finding common ground."
"This remarkable story about finding comfort in a new home by bringing along familiar traditions is a must-purchase for picture book collections and will resonate with any child who has struggled to fit in."
"Wholly focused on her own character's story, [Cherry Mo] takes a well-loved idea and renders it bright, shiny, and new with sheer talent alone. This book is a standout and a delicious one to boot. It ain't preachy. It ain't smarmy. It's just plain good."
"A touching and resonant story with universal themes of wanting to belong and finding common ground."
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