Danny Chung Sums It Up

A touching and funny middle-grade story about a boy whose life is turned upside down when his Chinese grandmother moves in

Eleven-year-old Danny's life is turned upside down when his Chinese grandmother comes to live with his family in England. Things get worse when Danny finds out he'll have to share his room with her, and she took the top bunk! At first, Danny is frustrated that he can't communicate with her because she doesn't speak English--and because he's on the verge of failing math and Nai Nai was actually a math champion back in the day. It just feels like he and his grandmother have nothing in common. His parents insist that Danny help out, so when he's left to look after Nai Nai, he leaves her at the bingo hall for the day to get her off his back. But he soon discovers that not everyone there is as welcoming as he expected . . . Through the universal languages of math and art, Danny realizes he has more in common with his Nai Nai than he first thought. Filled with heart and humor, Danny Chung Sums It Up shows that traversing two cultures is possible and worth the effort, even if it's not always easy.
"Maisie Chan has delivered the perfect equation for a sweet middle-grade read: one loveable and relatable character plus a delightful (and sometimes trouble-making) grandmother equals one heart-warming story about friendship, family, and finding yourself."--Elizabeth Eulberg, author of The Great Shelby Holmes series
"Danny Chung Sums It Up is wonderful! Full of heart and humour, and it brilliantly highlights the importance of being true to yourself." --Katie Tsang, author of Dragon Mountain and the Sam Wu series with Kevin Tsang.

"This sweet middle-grade novel is about 11-year-old Danny who grows to love his grandma who has come from China. A lovely relatable story about acceptance and being who you are!" --A.M. Dassu, author of Boy, Everywhere

"I loved reading about the intergenerational relationship between Danny and his grandmother. We all need a Nai Nai in our lives." --Jen Carney, author of The Accidental Diary of B.U.G

"I loved this middle-grade debut from Maisie Chan. It offers a lot of laughs and true poignant family moments." --Sheila M. Averbuch, author of Friend Me

"A hilarious, warm story about a boy and his grandmother and the incredible team they make together. Maisie Chan has a gift for creating unforgettable characters, both old and young. Nai Nai and her lychees, and Danny and his Druckon, are characters you'll remember forever!" --Leila Rasheed, author of Chips, Beans and Limousines

"I challenge you to not giggle whilst reading this delightfully funny and warm debut! Loved Danny Chung and his magnificently mischievous Nai Nai who disrupts Danny's world! Warmed the cockles of my heart! Utterly lovely. Bravo Maisie Chan!" --Liz Hyder, author of Bearmouth, Winner of the Waterstones Children's & Y.A. Prize


Author: Maisie Chan
Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
Published: 09/07/2021
Pages: 240
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.79lbs
Size: 8.10h x 5.50w x 1.10d
ISBN: 9781419748219
Audience: Ages 9-12


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 07/15/2021
School Library Journal 08/20/2021 pg. 1
Publishers Weekly 09/13/2021

About the Author
Maisie Chan is a British-born Chinese author. She has written early reader books for Hachette and HarperCollins; a collection of fairy tales, myths, and legends in Stories From Around the World for Scholastic; as well as many stories for The Big Think, a well-being curriculum based around stories for elementary school children. She also started the group Bubble Tea Writers to support and encourage new British East and Southeast Asian writers in the UK. When Maisie isn't writing, she enjoys yoga, dim sum, and singing really loud. She has lived in the U.K., U.S., and Taiwan. Originally from Birmingham, Maisie now lives with her family in Glasgow. Natelle Quek is an illustrator based in London. She has been drawing for as long as she could hold a pencil, and she now focuses on children's illustration. In her free time, Quek loves to explore museums and nature trails with her husband, hunt down delicious pastries, and cuddle her pets.