Picture Us In The Light

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Picture Us In The Light
Picture Us In The Light.jpg
Cover of the first edition
AuthorKelly Loy Gilbert
Cover artistMaria Elias
Adams Carvalho
LanguageEnglish
GenreYoung adult
Contemporary
PublisherDisney Hyperion
Publication date
April 10, 2018
Publication placeUnited States
ISBN 978-1-4847-3528-2

Picture Us In The Light is a young adult novel by Kelly Loy Gilbert, published by Hyperion in 2018. It follows the story of Daniel Cheng, a Chinese-American high school student whose life is uprooted after he discovers secrets that his immigrant parents have been hiding all his life.

The book discusses various social issues, such as illegal immigration, adoption, sexuality, and the struggles of first-generation American families. It switches between first and second person perspectives between chapters, especially towards the end of the narrative.

Gilbert has stated that the book, which took her three years to write, was inspired by her own childhood in Cupertino and the prominent Asian community in the Bay Area. [1] Picture Us In The Light was one of the recipients of the Stonewall Book Award in 2019, earning an honor for children's and young adult literature. [2] [3]

Reception

Picture Us In The Light received generally positive reviews, with Kirkus Reviews calling it “Exquisite, heartbreaking, unforgettable—and, ultimately, uplifting.” [4] Commentators praised it for not shying away from heavy topics such as mental health struggles and the reality of living in a hyper-competitive environment. [5] Criticism for the book mainly revolved around its pacing, and the ambiguous ending. It was also praised for its accuracy in characterization, particularly that of the main character. [6]

References

  1. ↑ Diaz, Shelley (April 23, 2018). "Kelly Loy Gilbert Talks About Representation, "Picture Us in the Light," & More". School Library Journal. Archived from the original on June 5, 2025. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
  2. ↑ "Stonewall Book Awards List | Rainbow Roundtable". American Library Association. Archived from the original on June 5, 2025. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
  3. ↑ Lawrence, Katie (February 20, 2019). "Interview with Stonewall Honor Kelly Loy Gilbert". Rainbow Round Table News. Archived from the original on June 5, 2025. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
  4. ↑ "Picture Us In The Light". Kirkus Reviews. Archived from the original on May 30, 2024. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  5. ↑ "Review: Picture Us in the Light". Rich in Color. May 18, 2018. Archived from the original on September 21, 2024. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
  6. ↑ McGinn, William J. (August 27, 2023). "Picture Us In The Light by Kelly Loy Gilbert: Book Review". William J. McGinn. Archived from the original on June 5, 2025. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
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