DETAILS
Brand-new first grader Ava Lin is determined to find a best friend—even if she’s a bit unclear on how to go about it—in this launch of a funny, super relatable chapter-book series.
Ava Lin is six and a half years old, and she loves bubble tea, finding treasures, and animals (note the 117 varieties of pets on her wish list). She’s very good at drawing and balancing pasta on her nose. And there’s a Very Exciting Thing happening in her life right now: tomorrow is her first day of first grade! Which means she gets a new backpack, new pencils, and a new lunch box. But what she really wants to get in first grade is a best friend, which isn’t as easy as she thought.
Ava’s quest has her navigating some confusing social rules, with unintentionally comical results—but she always manages to wriggle out of her mishaps in ways young readers will find very familiar. With an engaging text, humorous graphic panels, and black-and-white illustrations, Vicky Fang draws on her Chinese American family’s experience to create a heroine kids will instantly love.
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Format: Hardcover / Paperback
ISBN 9781536229691 / 9781536237269
“Ava’s story is a wonderful combination of laughs and drama that will keep young readers engaged—and eager to read future books in this new series… A funny, charming series opener.” –Kirkus Reviews
“In this gently uplifting chapter book series opener, Fang (Layla and the Bots) highlights the joys and trials of connection and new experiences. ” –Publisher’s Weekly
“Hilarious and endearing, Ava Lin is a worthy companion to beloved chapter book heroines like Dory Fantasmagory.” –Lithub
“This sweet friendship story from the perspective of an enthusiastic first grader is a must for most libraries.” –School Library Journal
Ava Lin, One of a Kind
by Vicky Fang
Releases in January 2025—Available for pre-order now!
For signed copies and special pre-order goodies, order with Linden Tree and leave a comment at checkout!
DETAILS
Ava Lin’s quest to earn the most kindness tickets in her first-grade class—and claim a coveted reward—leads to unanticipated results in this second chapter book in Vicky Fang’s funny and heartfelt series.
Ava Lin is six and a half years old, and this year she’s in first grade. She’s really good at making things and eating snacks and making lists. But what she really wants to be good at is earning enough tickets to fill her kindness bucket. In Ava’s class, if you do something kind for someone, that person puts a ticket in your bucket, and whoever has the most tickets by the end of the week gets to choose a prize. Ava really wants to choose the narwhal eraser—she NEEDS that eraser—so she has to be sure she’s the best bucket filler of the week, no matter what. In a series of funny and heartfelt missteps, Ava must figure out what it really means to be kind—in her own, one-of-a-kind way. With graphic panels and charming black-and-white illustrations, Vicky Fang brings back a lovable, sometimes bumbling heroine who wins the prize for heart and humor.
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Format: Hardcover / Paperback
ISBN 9781536229707 / 9781536238754
“Ava Lin returns to deliver new laughs and misadventures…. This series continues to charm.” –Kirkus Reviews
Ava Lin, Book 3
by Vicky Fang
Releases in June 2025—Available for pre-order now!
For signed copies and special pre-order goodies, order with Linden Tree and leave a comment at checkout!
DETAILS
A school walkathon! A visit from Popo! Six-year-old Ava’s week has SUPER potential—with just a few snags along the way—in this spot-on third adventure in Vicky Fang’s warm, funny chapter book series.
Ava Lin is in first grade, and she’s really good at dancing, making up games, and finding treasure. This week she’s super-duper excited, because it’s going to be the BEST WEEK EVER. First, her popo—Chinese for grandmother—is coming to visit, and Ava can’t wait to show off the special acorn, button, Post-it note, hair clip, and inside part of a marker that she found on the school playground. And second, this Sunday is the school walkathon. If Ava and her best friend, Kushi, manage to walk twenty-five laps, they will each earn a gold medal! But the week doesn’t go exactly to plan—like when Popo mistakes Ava’s treasures for trash, or when Ava discovers that fundraising for a walkathon is not quite as easy as she had hoped. Is there a way to make this week a super-duper happy one regardless?
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Format: Hardcover / Paperback
ISBN 9781536229714 / 9781536246490
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