Home in a Lunchbox
Author: Cherry Mo
Illustrator: Cherry Mo
11 June 2024
Penguin Workshop
40 pages
Book description from Goodreads: “Cherry Mo’s stunning debut is about a young girl who immigrates to America and finds home in an unexpected place.
When Jun moves from Hong Kong to America, the only words she knows are hello, thank you, I don’t know, and toilet. Her new school feels foreign and terrifying.
But when she opens her lunchbox to find her favorite meals—like bao, dumplings, and bok choy—she realizes home isn’t so far away after all.
Through lush art and spare dialogue, Cherry Mo’s breathtakingly beautiful debut picture book reminds readers that friendship and belonging can be found in every bite.”
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Reading Activities inspired by Home in a Lunchbox:
- Before Reading–From looking at the front cover:
- What do you notice first on the cover?
- What do the lunchbox, food, and classroom details make you wonder about the story?
- How does the girl on the cover seem to feel? What clues show that?
- Why do you think the title says home can be “in” a lunchbox?
- Where do you think the girl is? What clues help you know?
- What questions would you like to ask the author-illustrator before reading the book?
- After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story:
- Why does Jun feel unsure at her new school?
- How does the lunchbox help Jun feel connected to home?
- What do the illustrations show us that the words don’t explain?
- Where do you see Jun beginning to feel less alone?
- How does food help people share parts of who they are?
- What does this book suggest about friendship?
- Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?
- Four Words, Big World: Jun begins school with only a few English words she knows how to use. Imagine arriving somewhere new where most people don’t speak your language. What four words or phrases would you most want to know first? Write them down, then explain why each one would matter.
- Lunchbox Memory Map: Choose one food that reminds you of home or someone you love. Instead of just naming the food, make a memory map around it. What does it smell like? Who makes it? Where do you usually eat it? What does it make you remember?
- A Page with Few Words: This book uses spare dialogue, which means the pictures have to do a lot of storytelling. Choose one spread and study it carefully. What can you understand just by studying the picture? Write three things the art tells you without needing many words.
- The First-Day Feeling: Jun’s new school feels confusing and unfamiliar at first. Think about a time when you were new somewhere, or imagine what that might feel like. Make a short list of things that could help someone feel welcome without requiring lots of talking.
- Share a Bite, Share a Story: Food can be a way to tell someone where you come from, who loves you, or what feels comforting. Choose one food you would share with a new friend. Write a few lines about why you picked it and what you’d want that friend to understand about it.
- Books, Books, and More Books!: Check out these picture books about food, family, and finding where you belong:
Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao by Kat Zhang, illustrated by Charlene Chua
Amy wants to make bao just like everyone else in her family, but getting them exactly right takes practice.
Bilal Cooks Daal by Aisha Saeed, illustrated by Anoosha Syed
Bilal shares one of his favorite foods with friends, even though daal takes patience.
Drawn Together by Minh Lê, illustrated by Dan Santat
A boy and his grandfather struggle to communicate with words, then discover another way to understand each other.
Luli and the Language of Tea by Andrea Wang, illustrated by Hyewon Yum
Children who speak different languages find common ground through tea.
Watercress by Andrea Wang, illustrated by Jason Chin
A girl feels embarrassed when her family stops to gather watercress, then learns the deeper story behind that food.
Lexi Hall is a children’s writer and illustrator from Pittsburgh