For young Su-Jen, leaving China and moving to Canada opens up a new world – not only a new culture, language, and way of life, but also the complexity of human nature and the relationships in her family. Over the course of this novel, Su-Jen navigates peer friendships, tries to adapt to Canadian society, meets her half-brother, puzzles over the relationship between her mother and father, and begins to realize that her family is presenting a facade to the outside world, underneath which are hidden issues which no one wants to speak aloud.

Teens will relate to Su-Jen as she navigates new and strange situations, and as she unravels the secrets of her family, to her confusion over why her father does not confront her half-brother and mother over their conduct. As she grows older, Su-Jen becomes the bridge between her parents and their community, especially in regards to language and cultural barriers. Some readers who do not have extensive knowledge of Asian societies, may be frustrated at the cultural and family constraints which forbid Su-Jen from exposing her family’s secrets. Despite this familial strife, Su-Jen genuinely cares for her family, and is cared for by them.

The text is replete with descriptions of Chinese culture – food, customs, clothing. The novel is written for an adult audience, but culturally aware senior high students may enjoy it. Others may brush it off as “too foreign” or slow-paced. ( )

Su-Jen tells her story in a very realistic voice. She and her mom have come to a small town to reunite with her father who owns a small Chinese restaurant. Su-Jen tries to make the best of her dysfunctional family situation. She attends an American school and makes a few friends. Her mother is so unhappy and ends up having an affair with a family member. Su-Jen's mother is miserable from the day she arrives and she lets everyone know about her unhappiness. Su-Jen fades into the background many times and must keep many family secrets. This book is a good coming-of-age story told in the voice of a young Chinese immigrant. ( )

Midnight at the Dragon Cafe is an intriguing, thoughtful page turner of a novel. It is both the story of immigration to Canada as well as the story of the hard-working but dysfunctional family that narrator Su-Jen inhabits.

Young Su-Jen and her mother,Lai-Jing, immigrate from China to Canada some 5 years after father and husband,Hing-Wung has established a place for his family in Canada.

The Chou family own and run a small Chinese restaurant in small town 1950's Ontario. Su-Jen has no memory of her father, and her mother soon becomes embittered and resentful of her much older husband, the shabby restaurant and small town Ontario. Meanwhile six year old Su-Jen gradually adapts to her new home,learning English and attending school.

Racism exists in this small town, but even more challenging for the growing Su- Jen are the internal problems within her family.

Su - Jen has never meet her much older brother, Lee- Kung, until he moves into the minimal family quarters over-top of the Dragon Cafe. Su -Jen gradually realizes that relationships within her family are very strained, and not exactly as presented to her.Her mother and Lee- Kung form an unseemly alliance.

Narrator Su-Jen carries the burden of her family secrets as well as the challenges that she faces as a young teen adapting to life in Canada.

Over time a sudden tragedy in Su-Jen's life forces her to give voice to the burden and anger that she has felt towards her family . She confronts her family and ultimately learns something of forgiveness .

A wonderful, heartbreaking story, and all too believable.

4.5 stars ( )

I *loved* this novel. The writing is fresh and perfectly tuned for a young narrator. Su-Jen (Annie) emigrates from China to a small town in Canada with her mother when she is 6 years old. They join her much older father at his Chinese restaurant and in a life of hard work, all to avoid Communism and its effects on their home country.

This story examines what it is like to be an outside in the greater world as well as in your own family. Su-Jen learns about family secrets long-hidden and right in front of her, all while negotiating the Canadian culture around her.

A very compelling and wonderful story of love, honor, loss and betrayal. ( )