SUPER BOBA CAFÉ

A girl learns that there’s more riding on her grandmother’s boba shop than just making customers happy with sweet drinks.

Thirteen-year-old Aria is going to visit Nainai, her Taiwanese paternal grandmother, in San Francisco for the summer (her mom’s side of the family is Indian). The two quickly fall into a fun routine: exploring the city in the mornings before opening Super Boba and ordering takeout from local restaurants for dinner. Some things are strange, however: There’s a bunch of prairie dogs living behind the shop, and every evening, Nainai sneaks off alone. Aria has a secret of her own—she’s trying to put a terrible experience with bullying and social media behind her and is apprehensive about going online again. Initially, Aria is so focused on trying to help Nainai bring in much-needed customers that she’s reluctant to hang out with Jay, an Indian American teen neighbor. When Bao, the shop cat, surprises them by having kittens, Aria realizes it’s an ideal social media opportunity. Eventually Nainai’s big secret is revealed, one that involves a wacky combination of prairie dogs, boba, and a threat to everyone in the city. Ultimately, Aria, Nainai, and Jay work together, finding a solution that’s neatly tied up. The story explores family, friendships, and moving on from past hurt with a light touch. The attractively colored panels and expressive characters are visually engaging, ramping up both the suspense and the cuteness factor.

Refreshing and filled with charm.