Home in a Lunchbox
By Cherry Mo
The Story
A young girl moves from Hong Kong to America knowing only a handful of English words, and finds a piece of home waiting inside her lunchbox every day.
Why It's Special
For the kid who's ever felt like the new one in the room, this is a quiet reminder that comfort can travel in a lunchbox.
- Big idea: Home isn't always a place — sometimes it's a taste, a smell, a familiar meal that travels with you.
- Vibes: Tender, quiet, warmly observant.
Perfect For Kids Who
- are working on starting at a new school
- enjoy stories about food and family
- respond well to quiet, feelings-forward storytelling
- are curious about different cultures and languages
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story & feelings: How do you think Jun felt on her first day at her new school?
- Real-life connection: Have you ever felt nervous somewhere new, like Jun did?
- Food & comfort: What food would you want in your lunchbox if you were far from home?
- Empathy: What could you do to make a new student feel welcome?
- Imagination: If you moved to a new country, what few words would you learn first?
