Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All

(A Newbery Honor Book)

By: Chanel Miller

Narrated by: Chanel Miller

A Newbery Honor book and instant New York Times, USA Today, and indie bestseller!

Award-winning author and artist Chanel Miller tells a fun, funny, and poignant story of friendship and community starring Magnolia Wu, a ten-year-old sock detective bent on returning all the lonely only socks left behind in her parents' NYC laundromat.

Down at the bottom of the tall buildings of New York City, Magnolia Wu sits inside her parents’ laundromat. She has pinned every lost sock from the laundromat onto a bulletin board in hopes that customers will return to retrieve them. But no one seems to have noticed. In fact, barely anyone has noticed Magnolia at all.

What she doesn’t know is that this is about to be her most exciting summer yet. When Iris, a new friend from California arrives, they set off across the city to solve the mystery of each missing sock, asking questions in subways and delis and plant stores and pizzerias, meeting people and uncovering the unimaginable.

With each new encounter, Magnolia learns that when you’re bold enough to head into the unknown, things start falling into place.

Critic reviews

Praise for Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All:

TODAY Show Read with Jenna Jr. selection ♦ Good Housekeeping Best Kids’ Book Award winner ♦ National Summer Book Award winner ♦ A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year ♦ The Week Junior Best Adventure Book of the Year & book club title ♦ Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books of the Year ♦ ALSC Notable Children’s Book ♦ Texas Bluebonnet Award nominee ♦ Kentucky Bluegrass Award nominee ♦ Massachusetts Children’s Book Award nominee ♦ New York Times for Kids pick ♦ NPR Books We Love ♦ People magazine summer reading pick ♦ Junior Library Guild selection ♦ Indie Next List pick

“Absolute middle grade perfection . . . This book is a celebration of the quiet courage and daily bonds that make us a community!” –Kelly Yang, award-winning author of Front Desk

“I loved this deeply real yet wondrous tale about how the little things in life turn out to be the big things.” –Abby Hanlon, author of Dory Fantasmagory

* "Thoughtful, creative, and compassionate . . . Miller’s pitch-perfect narrative voice balances humor and whimsy with harsher realities. Magnolia isn’t insulated from negative feelings; rather, her world is one where strength can be quiet, empathy can be learned, and community is critical. Wildly funny, charming, and deeply heartfelt." –Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Miller (Know My Name, for adults) crafts an endearing romp in which Magnolia makes her first ride-or-die friend and learns to appreciate her life in new ways." –Publishers Weekly

“Miller’s fresh and honest storytelling approach and her endearing characters are spot-on for early middle grade readers confronting the highs and lows of friendship, racial tension, and the trials of growing up.” —The Horn Book Magazine

"A thoroughly original take on seeing your immigrant parents anew through the lens of others." —NPR

At the ending where her dad was in a bikini top

I didn’t dislike like anything. I love the book and it was amazing. it was amazing details and I like how the offer very worded it.

Layered development

I Read this for a youth reading competition in which I’m a judge, and I thought the story was excellent very well layered. Told from the perspective of a young girl and her development of friends and leads to her thinking beyond her home.

Excellent lessons for young readers

Discover the heart of the neighborhood and friendships in the company of the sock detectives.

Very wise and heartwarming tale of the adventures, clever deductions and discoveries of new friends Magnolia and Iris, who blossom as the NYC Sock Detectives.
Beautifully narrated by the author.
More please!

Such a sweet story.

This book would be great for a mother daughter reading time. It opens up conversations about what different things might mean. It is an adventure.

Magical!

Chanel Miller’s writing has the magic and wide eyed curiosity prevalent in all children. I’m not a child and I still thoroughly enjoyed every word!