Broken
By X. Fang
The Story
A girl named Mei Mei breaks her ama's favorite cup and, terrified of the consequences, lets the family cat take the blame — until the guilt becomes impossible to bear.
Why It's Special
For the kid who's ever hidden a mistake and felt it grow bigger by the hour, this book turns that squirmy, secret dread into something funny, honest, and deeply relatable.
- Big idea: Guilt has a way of getting louder the longer you hide it — and owning up is what actually sets you free.
- Vibes: Dramatic, funny, moody, and warm — like a tiny crime thriller that ends in a hug.
Perfect For Kids Who
- enjoy stories with a bit of delicious drama
- are working on telling the truth when it's hard
- respond well to stories that take feelings seriously
- like to study expressive, cinematic pictures
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story & problem-solving: Why do you think Mei Mei let Mimi the cat take the blame for the broken cup?
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think Mei Mei felt every time Mimi looked at her?
- Real-life connection: Have you ever broken something by accident and been scared to tell someone?
- Imagination: What do you think Ama was feeling when she found out the truth?
- Feelings & empathy: Why do you think it felt so good for Mei Mei to finally tell the truth?
