Cilla Lee-Jenkins: Future Author Extraordinaire by Susan Tan

Tan, S. (2017). Cilla Lee-Jenkins: future author extraordinaire (D. Wulfekotte, Illus.) Square Fish.

This is the story of a girl who is against the idea of sibling coming into the world because she is afraid to share her life.  Written in first person, the book is meant to take the form of a journal that the protagonist is writing to make into a bestselling novel believing that is the best way for her to stay important and remembered after her baby sister is born. This is immediately established by a letter from the author (Cilla) to the reader which opens the book to inform the reader of what to expect and why the book was written. Because it is written this way, the tone is very conversational and light, for the most part. There are moments where Cilla learns a lesson or experiences an issue which can lead to a more somber tone, but it always returns to a lighter tone. It also always stays in the realm of what is easily understandable to young readers, sometimes branching off with more advanced vocabulary or literary devices that Cilla always defines for the reader but in a way that sounds more like a child proudly repeating information they recently learned than the author being condescending or too educational. The writing style always feels like the protagonist is having a direct conversation with the reader which can keep them engaged throughout relating to stories and finding humor in Cilla’s observations and imagination.

The plot of the story is simple and takes place over the course of a few months following the mother’s pregnancy with Cilla’s baby sibling. The reader is told that the plot is Cilla trying to become a successful author before her sibling is born, but it becomes obvious that the true plot is Cilla learning to love the idea of having a baby sibling. Within this plot we have subplots that take place in both the present and the past. Some of the subplots happen in flashbacks that are interwoven in the story is a stream of consciousness way to reinforce the narrative that the book is Cilla’s actual writing which are mainly easy to establish though may get confusing for a young reader if they are not fully paying attention. These subplots deal with overarching themes as well as provide little moments that enlighten the reader on who Cilla is. One of the biggest themes present in the book is family, both new additions and establishing connections. Cilla has to learn to appreciate having a sibling and wants to see her family, especially her grandparents, come together. Another theme that corelates with the family one is race. Cilla is half-white and half-Chinese, so the two sides of her family are very different. Throughout the book, Cilla faces complications with having one side understand the differing parts of the other and also having society understand her and all the aspects she inhibits. She uses her words and imagination to navigate the world around her and to invite the reader to navigate with her.