As a Canadian who moved across the world to the UK and has also visited Hong Kong, I was excited to be asked to read The Not-So-Uniform Life of Holly-Mei. I loved spotting all the Canadian references merged with the Britishness of Holly-Mei’s dad. This is a story of a properly mixed family who celebrate every part of themselves including mum’s Taiwanese heritage and lovely ah-ma’s (grandmother) traditions. Readers will see that every family is different and there is no “normal” when it comes to the cultures and traditions we live. I’m sure my own Canadian/British children will enjoy this little bit of their own Canadian family background which is a rare find in children’s books in the UK.
Holly-Mei has mixed feelings when her parents tell her they are moving from Toronto to Hong Kong. Mum has received a big promotion which is a great achievement but will also bring with it a huge amount of work. Having just fallen out with her friends at school, Holly-Mei is hopeful this fresh start will be easy and exactly what she needs. With her feisty, fashionable younger sister, Millie, by her side, it might be ok.
When they arrive in Hong Kong, the girls are pleased to find they are not the only mixed family at school. Almost everyone has come from somewhere else, lived somewhere else or has connections to the many cultures that have passed through Hong Kong. The commuity is made up of high-powered, high-achieving families who want their children to be the best. This competitiveness brings with it quite a bit of pressure. All of a sudden, Mum is concerned with connections, opportunities and making a good impression. Holly-Mei finds it tricky to balance being true to herself and not disappointing her parents. Settling in is proving to be harder than she thought – perhaps she will need to suffer bitterness before finding happiness just as ah-ma predicted.
As Holly-Mei tries to make new friends and manage new expectations, she learns a lot about herself. Lessons of acceptance, patience, communication and trust help her to realise who is a true friend and what she can do to be a good friend in return.
Although I only spent a week in Hong Kong, this story took me right back there depicting the contrast of the business district with the greener coastal Repulse Bay where my husband’s godparents lived for a time. The setting description is wonderful – painting a lively picture of this gorgeous place.
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CHRISTINA MATULA grew up in Ottawa, Canada and has lived in London, Hong Kong, and Helsinki. Being a child of immigrant parents, she has always been curious about other cultures and far-off places. Dumplings are her favorite food, especially her mother’s savory Taiwanese jiaozi and her father’s sweet Hungarian gomboc. She has an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Hong Kong and now lives in Finland with her husband, two children, and puppy. Learn more at ChristinaMatula.com.
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Books by Kate Heap:
Scope for Imagination 