The Magic Fish

Tiến, a Vietnamese‑American middle schooler, finds the language to navigate both his identity and his family's past through the fairy tales he reads with his mother. Their shared tales—framed in three distinct color palettes—mirror their inner worlds, offering bridges across culture, grief, and unspoken truth as Tiến edges toward coming out. The Magic Fish is a gorgeously illustrated coming‑of‑age graphic novel woven with quiet courage, emotional clarity, and the transformative power of storytelling.

~  Included for its luminous, bilingual exploration of queer identity, belonging, and intergenerational love—transforming fairy tales into vessels of understanding and courage. A visionary work that affirms the magic in finding your voice, even when words feel elusive.  ~