LITTLE WONDER by Sophie Chen Keller

5 stars

This lovely book about the intensity and endurance of a mother-son relationship is an exciting new read from from Jenna Bush Hager’s new publishing venture, Thousand Voices.

Song, a strong, determined peasant woman in China escapes her small village and takes her baby son River along with her. Her husband Blue takes construction work in a distant city. Song finds housekeeping work, and takes River along to her jobs, entertaining him by listening to classical music on the radio. At age four, River discovers a new piano in one of the apartments that his Mom cleans, and manages to play Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star by ear. Song realizes he has a special gift for music and arranges piano lessons with the best teacher in town. At age 8, River masters Liszt and by age 10, Chopin’s etudes. At age 11, Song manages to have River taken on with a leading piano teacher in Beijing.

When they arrive at the Beijing train station, flooded with travelers, Song loses her grip on River’s hand, lost with each deeply worried about the other. Despite extended searches, both must forge paths of their own, endlessly hoping for a future reunion.

The book captures the tough life of migrant workers in Beijing, the equally tough lives of rural residents, the wealth disparity between the haves and have-nots in Chinese society, the COVID lockdowns from the perspective of those living in China, the unstoppable passion of prodigies, and the transformative power of music. A profoundly touching tale that lingers with you.

Thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for an advanced reader’s copy.

Stacy DeBroff

Stacy DeBroff, founder and CEO of Mom Central.com and social and digital consultancy, Influence Central, is a social media strategist, attorney, and best-selling parenting author. A sought-after expert for national media, she trend-spots regularly with national brands and speaks frequently to national and international audiences on a wide range of subjects, including influencer marketing, social media, entrepreneurship, and consumer trends. A passionate cook, gardener, reader, and tennis player, she adores this new chapter of post-college-age parenting.