The Magic Fish
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR by the New York Public Library • Kirkus Reviews • Booklist • Publishers Weekly
Tiến loves his family and his friends…but Tiến has a secret he's been keeping from them, and it might change everything. An amazing YA graphic novel that deals with the complexity of family and how stories can bring us together.
Real life isn't a fairytale.
But Tiến still enjoys reading his favorite stories with his parents from the books he borrows from the local library. It's hard enough trying to communicate with your parents as a kid, but for Tiến, he doesn't even have the right words because his parents are struggling with their English. Is there a Vietnamese word for what he's going through?
Is there a way to tell them he's gay?
A beautifully illustrated story by Trung Le Nguyen that follows a young boy as he tries to navigate life through fairytales, an instant classic that shows us how we are all connected. The Magic Fish tackles tough subjects in a way that’s accessible for readers of all ages, and teaches us that no matter what—we can all have our own happy endings.
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State Awards
Connecticut
2022-2023, Nutmeg Book Award, Nominee
Delaware
2023, Blue Hen Book Award, Nominee
Georgia
2022-2023, Georgia Children’s Book Award, Nominee
Maine
2021, North Star Young Adult Book Award, Nominee
Maryland
2021-2022, Black-Eyed Susan Book Award, Winner
Massachusetts
2021, Massachusetts Children’s Book Award, Nominee
Pennsylvania
2022-2023, Pennsylvania Young Readers’ Choice Award, Nominee
South Dakota
2022-2023, Teen Book Awards, Nominee
Tennessee
2021-2022, Volunteer State Book Award, Nominee
Texas
2021, Texas Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List, Selection
Virginia
2020, VLA Graphic Novel Diversity Award, Winner