Yang the Eldest and His Odd Jobs

"The series of novels about the Yang family has been praised by reviewers as "funny, poignant" (Booklist, starred review) and "breezy, snappy, and affectionately evoked" (New York Times). Publisher's Weekly has said Lensey Namioka's writing "sheds light on the Chinese-American culture in a manner that at times recalls Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club. In this final installment in the Yang family quartet, Eldest Brother discovers he needs a new violin and is forced to get a job to pay for it. After trying his hand at everything from baby-sitting to serving sushi, he becomes obsessed with making money and gives up on the violin altogether, until his younger siblings lead him to resume his music. Once again, Ms. Namioka offers firsthand insights into growing up Chinese-American with a touching story and a healthy dose of humor."