Written and Illustrated by Cindy Chang
Borrow and read How to Draw a Secret in Granite’s Sora!
This (semi-autobiographical) graphic novel features a family keeping a secret that ends up in a big mess once the secret is revealed. Cindy, a 12-year-old artist, lives in California with her mom and older sisters. Cindy’s art teacher assigns her to enter an art competition with the prompt of depicting “What Family Means to Me.” This is a challenge because her dad moved back to Taiwan four years ago, yet her friends and teachers have no idea. Her mom is tremendously focused on making sure nobody finds out. When Cindy’s grandma dies back in Taiwan, Cindy and her family travel there for the funeral, and they see their estranged father. While there, Cindy soon discovers the cause of her father’s absence and the depth of the secret that her mother and sisters have been keeping from her. How can she represent her messy family in an art piece?
The communication between family members feels realistic, and luckily it evolves and improves. The cover and illustrations will appeal to readers of all ages, however there are a few mature elements: brief mention of period cramps, insinuation that dad had an affair and now has a son. Cindy Chang’s strong artistic talent starts right from the end pages and carries through the whole book. I enjoyed the pages that look like they came right from Cindy’s notebook.
Reviewed by Kim Winterton, Librarian, Upland Terrace Elementary School
Review shared in April 2025
Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5 stars)
Interest Level: Grades 4-8
How to Draw a Secret
Written and Illustrated by Cindy Chang
Allida, HarperAlley, imprints of HarperCollinsPublishers
269 pages
Release Date: February 4, 2024
ISBN: 9780358659655
A review copy was provided by the publisher.
