The Diamond Explorer
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Penguin Putnam Inc
Publishing:15th Jul '25
£8.99
This title is due to be published on 15th July, and will be despatched as soon as possible.
In the first part of the story, we meet Malcolm as a school kid through the eyes of the adults in his life - his parents and siblings, but also the white teachers at his Minnesota schools. As school begins, we encounter Malcolm in his own words, and suddenly we see that this 'quiet, slow Hmong boy' is anything but. Malcolm is a gifted collector of his family's stories and tireless seeker of his own place within an evolving Hmong American culture, and his journey toward becoming a shaman like his grandparents before him is inspiring and revelatory.
Winner of the Minnesota Book Award
★ "Lyrical, evocative prose deftly captures Malcolm’s longing for a sense of belonging; Yang has crafted a layered, profoundly moving musing on grief, connection (and lack thereof), and identity.
A true gem."—Kirkus, starred review
“[A] richly wrought tale about a boy coming into his own.”—Publishers Weekly
"This is a moving story about a boy longing to feel a connection to his family and his identity. Yang’s writing is beautiful, seamlessly transitioning from one character to another, and situations involving violence and death are handled with care. VERDICT: A lovely fiction pick for readers who don’t often see themselves represented in fiction, those interested in learning more about Hmong spiritual beliefs, or seeking a fantasy genre not often explored for this age group."—School Library Journal
"A beautifully crafted and layered look at identity, connection, culture, death, and belonging."—Teen Librarian Toolbox
"No matter what character is speaking, the author’s prose shines."—St. Paul Pioneer Press
ISBN: 9781984816351
Dimensions: 197mm x 129mm x 13mm
Weight: 159g
208 pages