It centers (mostly) the main character Maybelline Chen, who learns throughout processing her grief as well as fighting back not only for her family, but against the larger power of white supremacy. It's an approachable story for readers to discuss and reflect on the world around us. The book predominantly talks about anti-Asian racism and to some extent racism against the Black community, and everything is spelled out clearly. There were times where the writing reads like a middle grade book. It feels a little experimental in terms of the chapter formatting (in a good way), but for the most part, it's prose fiction. The book has a whopping 78 chapters, not including the epilogue. The Silence That Binds Us is a story about fighting back against anti-Asian racism, de-stigmatizing discussion of mental health, and healing when everything seems to be falling apart.

The silence that binds the community is the inaction against power. The silence that binds the Chens is the suicide of high school senior Danny Chen. It did such a good job at weaving various themes together in a very sad but still hopeful story. Upon finishing, I wonder why this book hasn't blown up on social media. Going in, I did not know how heart-wrenching this YA contemporary novel is going to be.

Going in, I did not know how heart-wrenching this YA contemporary no I picked up this book because I loved the author's Eyes that Kiss in the Corners. I picked up this book because I loved the author's Eyes that Kiss in the Corners.

A Milky Way Home by Hsinju Chen