Auntie q's Golden Claws Nail Salon

Description: Twelve-year-old Domi spends the summer working in her aunt's nail salon to repay her parents for a costly mistake and fights to save the business after learning the salon is at risk of closing.

Brief description: Van Hoang earned her bachelor's degree in English at the University of New Mexico and her master's in Library Information Science at San Jose State University. She is the author of novels for adults and young readers including Girl Giant and the Monkey King, Girl Giant and the Jade War, and Auntie Q's Golden Claws Nail Salon. She was born in Vietnam, grew in up Orange County, California, and now resides in Los Angeles.

Review Quotes:

★ "A sparkling exploration of identity and belonging." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ "Hoang adds nuance and depth to the "summer away from home" trope. . . a gentle reminder that everyone learns from one another in relationships. Sure, there are lessons to be learned here but the levity peppered throughout will draw in middle grade fans of Kelly Yang, Remi Lai, and Lily Lamotte." --School Library Journal, starred review

"With warmth and heart, Hoang highlights the resilience of Vietnamese immigrants navigating life in America." --Booklist

"Full of tenderness, humor, and resilience, Domi's summer shows how success and ambitions thrive when they are not pursued alone." --BCCB

"This contemporary coming-of-age story is uplifting while also, via the adults in Domi's family, providing a glimpse into the challenging experiences of first generation Vietnamese Americans." --Horn Book

"A fiercely family-focused, heartwarming coming-of-age story. I laughed, I teared up, and I cheered for Domi as she learned to find the truth in herself." --Julie Abe, author of the Eva Evergreen and Tessa Miyata series

"This book will hook you in with its claw-some jokes and rip-roaring adventure!" --Remy Lai, author-illustrator of Ghost Book and Pie in the Sky

"Sharp, spunky, and lovable, Domi Pham is the type of unforgettable young heroine who stays with you long after the story ends." --Katie Zhao, author of the Dragon Warrior and Winnie Zeng series