Error loading page.
Try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, there may be a network issue, and you can use our self test page to see what's preventing the page from loading.
Learn more about possible network issues or contact support for more help.

Danny Chung Sums It Up

Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available

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.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

  • Formats

  • Languages

  • Reviews

    • Publisher's Weekly

      September 13, 2021
      As befits one born in the year of the Dragon, 11-year-old Brit Danny Chung is artistic and loves to draw. His math skills, however, are lacking, especially according to his Ba, who believes Danny should devote his time to more constructive pursuits. Big proponents of “the Chinese Way”—embracing traditional Chinese values—Danny’s parents arrange for his Nai Nai to come from China to live with them in England, hoping Danny will learn about Chinese culture and to respect his elders. Predictably, frustration arises. Not only is Danny unable to communicate with her fluently, Nai Nai’s very presence renders him the school laughingstock when she visits his classroom to feed him chicken feet, and a giant math project is proving daunting. But luckily for Danny, Nai Nai’s mathematical prowess is something to behold. As the two confront the seemingly insurmountable language barrier with a love for numbers and art, Danny begins to view Nai Nai in a different light. Chan wholeheartedly portrays intergenerational relationships and cross-cultural exchange in a way that resonates. While several elements will be familiar to readers of similar titles, classic middle grade humor and detailed b&w sketchbook drawings by Quek add humor to an insightful read. Ages 8–12. Agent (for Chan): Chloe Seager, Madeleine Milburn Literary, TV and Film Agency;(for Quek): Alice Williams, Alice Williams Literary.

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Narrator Eric Mok strikes just the right tone as 11-year-old Danny Chung in this sweet middle-grade audiobook. Danny's parents spring a surprise on him: His grandmother from China, whom he's never met, arrives to live with them in England. She's going to be sharing Danny's room, and they can barely communicate with each other. Mok delivers Nai Nai's mix of Chinese and English and captures Danny's frustration at being on Nai Nai duty when he'd rather be drawing comics with his best friend, Ravi. But the more misadventures Danny and Nai Nai get up to together, the more he comes to appreciate his grandmother, who turns out to be, among other things, a whiz at bingo. It's a satisfying intergenerational story that balances the silly and the serious. J.M.D. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

Languages

  • English

Loading