The Secret Battle of Evan Pao

American author Wendy Wan-Long Shang published The Secret Battle of Evan Pao in 2022. Praised for its thoughtful exploration of identity and inclusion, the novel has resonated with readers for its honest portrayal of prejudice and its celebration of cultural diversity, earning the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association Award for Children’s Literature. The title reflects Evan’s internal and external struggles as he navigates a new environment while confronting his family’s history and the biases of those around him. Set in a small town in Virginia, the story follows Evan Pao, a Chinese American boy, as he moves to a community steeped in Civil War history and grapples with feelings of belonging and self-worth. Shang explores cultural identity, family, resilience, and how individuals can challenge societal expectations and prejudices.

This guide references the 2022 Scholastic eBook edition.

Content Warning: The source material and guide feature depictions of bullying, racism, and emotional abuse.

Plot Summary

The Pao family, which consists of Elaine, 15-year-old Celeste, and 12-year-old Evan, drives across the country from Schuyler, California, to Haddington, Virginia, after Michael Pao, the family patriarch, abandons them following his involvement in an investment scam. Evan possesses a unique ability to sense when someone is lying, but this gift often makes him physically ill, even to the point of vomiting. Adjusting to their new circumstances proves challenging for the Paos. Once wealthy, they now struggle to make ends meet on Elaine’s modest income as an office manager. Life in small-town Haddington, where the family is the only Asian household, also poses difficulties. Even their real estate agent expects the family to conform to stereotypical “interesting” behavior. Despite these challenges, they have some support, as Elaine’s brother Joe lives in Haddington. Joe enjoys fixing things and helps repair their rundown rental house.

Evan begins his first day at Battlefield Middle School on a positive note. However, the day takes a turn when Brady Griggs asks him if he has the “Chinese Virus.” Another student, Max Baldwin, befriends Evan and offers to show him around the school. Max tells Evan about Battlefield Day, a re-enactment of life during the American Civil War. Evan’s classmates are shocked by his lack of knowledge about the Civil War. Max also informs Evan that Brady lives nearby and that Charlie, Brady’s brother, owns an obnoxiously loud car with “No Mercy” painted on it.

Evan and Max quickly become friends. Evan struggles with a new school assignment when Mrs. Norwood, his teacher, tasks the class with presenting a family heirloom from the Civil War. Evan misunderstands “air loom,” but Mrs. Norwood explains the assignment. She reassures Evan that he does not have to participate but makes him feel excluded. Evan’s disappointment grows when Mrs. Norwood suggests he play the role of a scribe during Battlefield Day, as the event has a specific “look.” At home, Celeste, frustrated by Evan’s struggles to fit in, searches for information and discovers that Chinese soldiers fought in the Civil War.

Brady tries to tackle Evan during a flag football game at school, but Evan skillfully avoids the illegal move. When the class shares their heirlooms, Evan presents information about Chinese soldiers in the Civil War. Brady claims the information is fake, prompting Mrs. Norwood to send Evan to the library for confirmation. Joe takes Evan to the library, where they find resources that verify the contributions of Chinese soldiers. They also attend a council meeting about whether to remove a Civil War statue from the courthouse. Evan speaks at the meeting, arguing that statues represent only one perspective of history. Joe, proud of Evan’s courage, takes him out for ice cream. They find a friendly stray dog rummaging through the trash outside the ice cream shop. Evan persuades Joe to bring the dog home, and they name her Mochi.

Mochi quickly becomes an essential part of the family. She helps Evan and Celeste connect with their classmates. Celeste later learns that the police have arrested Michael, which leads to conflicting emotions among the siblings. Evan shares his research on Chinese soldiers with his class, impressing both his teacher and the principal. That weekend, Evan and Max take their dogs for a walk and find a rope swing at a church cemetery. Max uses the swing, but when Evan tries to follow, Brady interrupts and insists that Evan cannot use it because his family does not belong to the church. After some arguing, Evan uses the swing once before leaving with Max.

The following day, Brady is absent from school. Evan has a great time at school, but his mood shifts when he comes home to find broken glass on the floor and Mochi injured. After helping Mochi and calling Elaine, the family contacts the police. The officers initially dismiss the incident as a bird or a rock but eventually discover a bullet lodged in Evan’s doorframe. The police bring Brady and his father, Randall, to the house. Brady confesses to shooting the window, and Randall lists punishments for Brady but does not offer to pay for the damage. The police pressure Elaine not to press charges and criticize her for briefly speaking Mandarin. After everyone leaves, the Paos clean up the mess and sleep together in Elaine’s room out of fear.

Max hears his father discussing the shooting and becomes upset that Brady faces no real consequences. At school, he rallies the students to give Brady the silent treatment for 2 weeks, including during Battlefield Day. Evan continues working on his Battlefield Day character, choosing Edward Cohota, a Union soldier. Meanwhile, Celeste shows Evan a letter from Michael. They read it together before Celeste, angry at Michael’s selfishness, crumples it up. The siblings argue, and the noise startles Mochi, who escapes the house. The family searches for her but cannot find her.

Evan distributes flyers at school, and Julia, a classmate, recognizes Mochi and mentions seeing her near Miller’s Field, followed by Brady. This information sparks a rumor that Brady stole the dog. Julia writes Brady a letter urging him to clear his name. Brady, more concerned about Mochi than his reputation, sets out to help. He arrives at Evan’s house with his dog, Nero, and offers assistance. Evan agrees to go with him, sensing no ill intentions. Nero tracks Mochi’s scent to Miller’s Field, and with some patience and food as bait, they manage to retrieve her.

Evan climbs a tree to talk to Brady through his window that night. Brady admits that Charlie shot the window and that Randall made him take the blame to avoid severe consequences. Brady apologizes for everything. During Battlefield Day, Evan surprises everyone by publicly forgiving Brady. The class follows his example, ending the silent treatment. Evan insists that Brady apologize to Elaine, and Brady does so. The story concludes with Evan, Max, and Brady modifying Charlie’s car, changing “No Mercy” to “Now Mercy.”