Winston Chu vs. the Wingmeisters (Winston Chu #2)

by Stacey Lee (Author)

Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade
Series: Winston Chu

Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents best-selling author Stacey Lee's final book in her debut middle grade duology: a whimsical, mile-a-minute adventure inspired by Chinese mythology.

Twelve-year-old Winston Chu has already rescued his sister, saved the moon's qi, and kicked Mr. Pang's sorry magpie-turned-human butt to the curb--but now he's about to face an even bigger problem: Mr. Pang's older magpie-turned-human brother, Mr. Gu. Sure, Mr. Gu might be the current front-runner to be San Francisco's next mayor, but, as Winston knows all too well, appearances can be deceiving--and Mr. Gu, despite his cheerful laugh and brightly-colored shirts, is definitely hiding something.

Because all of a sudden, there's an eerily punctual fog that seems to follow him on his trips to an island in the bay. And grown-ups are turning up all the across the city with no memory of who they are, but with plenty of enthusiasm for their favorite mayoral candidate. And then there's the flocks of exotic birds that have begun amassing in every corner of the city. For Winston and his friends, there's no denying something. . . fowl. . . is afoot. And the only one who might have the answers they need to save the city? Their old nemesis, Mr. Pang. . .

Winston's magical adventures come to a thrilling end in this whimsical, rollicking ride filled with invisible windbreakers, mischievous mustaches, and badminton rackets of destiny. 

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Kirkus

As before, allusions to Chinese folklore are woven into the story. At times chaotic but a magical romp nevertheless. 

School Library Journal

In the second book of Winston Chu's adventures, the magpie Mr. Gu is trying to take over the city by running for San Francisco's mayor. Once Winston, Mav, Cassa, Bijal, Monroe, and Philippa realize that Mr. Gu is putting bird brains into human bodies, they know it's time to save the world again. With the help of old adversary Mr. Pang (Mr. Gu's brother) and his oddities store, Pang's Whimsies, they arm themselves against Mr. Gu and an unexpected accomplice. With a first-person narrative, the novel establishes a self-reflective tone of moving on as grief is being processed and change has begun, which in return inspires hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel. As each side quest is completed to achieve the overall goal of defeating Mr. Gu, Winston discovers what type of person and friend he wants to be while overcoming his own pride and anger. There are references to Chinese and Senegalese cultural traditions by way of food and mythology. VERDICT A rollicking sequel that focuses on friendship, grief, and overcoming your fears that will appeal to anyone who enjoyed the first book in Lee's series.—Jessica Calaway

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Stacey Lee
Stacey Lee is the New York Times and Indie bestselling author of historical and contemporary young adult fiction, including The Downstairs Girl, a Reese's Book Club Late Summer 2021 YA pick, and her most recent novel, Luck of the Titanic, which received five starred reviews. A native of southern California and fourth-generation Chinese American, she is a co-founder of the We Need Diverse Books movement and writes stories for all kids (even the ones who look like adults). Stacey loves board games, has perfect pitch, and through some mutant gene, can smell musical notes through her nose. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter @staceyleeauthor.

Website: www.staceyhlee.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/staceyleeauthor
Twitter: twitter.com/staceyleeauthor
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781368075398
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Rick Riordan Presents
Publication date
February 06, 2024
Series
Winston Chu
BISAC categories
JUV037000 - Juvenile Fiction | Fantasy & Magic
JUV001000 - Juvenile Fiction | Action & Adventure
JUV012060 - Juvenile Fiction | Legends, Myths, Fables | Asian
Library of Congress categories
Birds
Magic
San Francisco (Calif.)
Novels
Mythology, Chinese

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