The Magic Fish (A Graphic Novel) — Content Guide for Parents
Themes present
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Content themes
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
In this gorgeous debut graphic novel, fairy tales are the only way one boy can communicate with his Vietnamese immigrant parents. But how will he find the words to tell them that he’s gay? A powerful read about family, identity and the enduring magic of stories.
“One of the most astounding graphic novels of the year" –Entertainment Weekly
Tien and his mother may come from different cultures—she’s an immigrant from Vietnam still struggling with English; he’s been raised in America—but through the fairy tales he checks out from the local library, those differences are erased.
But as much as Tien’s mother’s English continues to improve as he reads her tales of love, loss, and travel across distant shores, there’s one conversation that still eludes him—how to come out to her and his father. Is there even a way to explain what he’s going through in Vietnamese? And without a way to reveal his hidden self, how will his parents ever accept him?
This beautifully illustrated graphic novel speaks to the complexity of family and how stories can bring us together even when we don’t know the words.
“A lyrical masterpiece.” –BuzzFeed
Frequently asked questions
Is The Magic Fish (A Graphic Novel) appropriate for a 7-year-old?
No violence detected in the search results related to the book's content. No scary content detected in the search results related to the book's content.
Does The Magic Fish (A Graphic Novel) have violence?
No violence detected in the search results related to the book's content.
Does The Magic Fish (A Graphic Novel) have scary content?
No scary content detected in the search results related to the book's content.
Does The Magic Fish (A Graphic Novel) have religious themes?
No religious content or themes detected in the narrative of the book.
Does The Magic Fish (A Graphic Novel) have racial/cultural content?
The book features Vietnamese cultural elements and explores the immigrant experience, particularly through the lens of Tiến and his family's background as Vietnamese refugees.
Does The Magic Fish (A Graphic Novel) have profanity?
No profanity detected in the search results related to the book's content.
Does The Magic Fish (A Graphic Novel) have climate change?
No climate-related themes detected in the search results related to the book's content.
Does The Magic Fish (A Graphic Novel) have sexual identity?
The story includes themes of Tiến struggling to discuss his sexuality with his parents, indicating an exploration of sexual identity in a coming-of-age context.
Does The Magic Fish (A Graphic Novel) have gender roles?
The narrative avoids stereotypes of Asian American parents as homophobic and instead presents a more nuanced view of family dynamics regarding queerness.
Does The Magic Fish (A Graphic Novel) have lgbtq+ themes?
The narrative features Tiến, a boy navigating his feelings for his male best friend, Julian, and explores themes of coming out and queerness. The story intertwines Vietnamese and Western fairy tales while addressing the complexities of identity and love.
