Tiger Daughter
Shortlist year:
2022
Shortlist category:
Young adult literature
Published by:
Allen & Unwin
About the book
What I feel most days is that nothing is ever going to change. That my life won't even start, and that I'll be stuck like this forever.
Wen Zhou is the daughter and only child of Chinese immigrants whose move to the lucky country has proven to be not so lucky. Wen and her friend, Henry Xiao – whose mum and dad are also struggling immigrants – both dream of escape from their unhappy circumstances, and form a plan to sit an entrance exam to a selective high school far from home. But when tragedy strikes, it will take all of Wen's resilience and resourcefulness to get herself and Henry through the storm that follows.
'Tiger Daughter' is a novel that will grab hold of you and not let go.
About the author
Rebecca Lim
Rebecca Lim is an Australian writer, illustrator, editor and lawyer. She is the author of over twenty books, including 'The Astrologer's Daughter', a Kirkus Best Book of 2015 and CBCA Notable Book for Older Readers, 'Wraith' and the internationally bestselling 'Mercy'. Rebecca is a co-founder of the Voices from the Intersection initiative to support emerging young adult and children's authors and illustrators who are First Nations, People of Colour, LGBTIQA+ or living with disability, and is a co-editor of 'Meet Me at the Intersection', a groundbreaking anthology of YA #OwnVoice memoir, poetry and fiction.
Judges’ comments
Wen is the only child of Chinese immigrants. In many ways her family's move to this country has been a disappointing experience, especially for Wen's father who, unable to practice medicine in Australia, is now forced to "make do" as the maitre-d at a Chinese restaurant. His frustration, humiliation and bitterness manifests itself as domestic tyranny, with Wen and her mother living in constant fear of his anger, sullenness and iron-fisted control. So, when Wen and her mother try to bring some comfort to Wen's friend Henry and his father, who have suffered unthinkable loss, something has to make way – either Wen's fealty to her father and his rage, or the deeply held sense of human kindness that she shares with her mother.
At first glance, it may be tempting to categorise this compelling and assured book by a writer with strong pedigree as another insight into the immigrant experience told through the eyes of a young adult. However, it is more than that. It is at once a tense account of a family in crisis, a touching depiction of friendship and empathy, and a moving celebration of personal courage, and its conclusion leaves the reader with a sense of optimism that no one ever need be seen as a lost cause.
