Room to Dream

After being in China for three days, Mia decides it’s time to write in her journal for Ms. Swann. She writes all about the amazing food, her time with family, and seeing Popsicle Grandpa again. Their visit, especially the talk about the Cultural Revolution, has Mia remembering why her parents moved:

They wanted to escape the anxiety and chaos they’d gone through as kids, suddenly not being able to go to school. And so they took the great leap of courage to come to America, not knowing that what awaited them on the other side was an ocean of uncertainty (80).

Lao Lao enters and asks if anyone has seen her exercise fan. The cousins begin to dance around and tease her for going to a fan exercise dance class. Lao Lao rolls her eyes and tells Mia, “Chinese seniors live long, healthy lives because we do our exercise in the park every day!” (81). Then she asks Mia if she wants to come to the class with her tomorrow, and Mia accepts the invitation.

After Lao Lao, Hank, and Mia have danced the morning away at their fan exercise class, they head to Lao Lao’s favorite dofunao restaurant.