JACK CHENG is a Shanghai-born, Detroit-based author of critically acclaimed fiction for young readers. His debut middle grade novel, See You in the Cosmos (Penguin Random House), won the 2017 Golden Kite and Great Lakes, Great Reads awards. Jack has visited schools across the globe speaking with students about finding their paths as writers and artists. He is a 2019 Kresge Artist Fellow

His second middle grade novel, The Many Masks of Andy Zhou, is out in June 2023! Andy Zhou is used to being what people need him to be: the good kid for his par­ents and now grandparents visiting from Shanghai, or the helpful sidekick to his best friend Cindy's rebellious plans and schemes. So when Cindy decides they should try out for Movement after school on the first day of sixth grade, how can Andy say no? But between feeling out of place with the dancers, being hassled by his new science partner Jameel, and sensing tension between his dad and grand-father, Andy feels all kinds of weird. Then, over anime, Hi-Chews, and Andy's iguana-inspired artwork, things shift between him and Jameel, opening up new doors—and also new complications. No matter how much Andy cares about his friends and family, it's hard not to feel pulled between all the ways he's meant to be, all the different faces he wears, and harder still to figure out if any of these masks is the real him. A sublime and often funny story of family and friendship, identity and creativ­ity, and both the love and culture gap between immigrant grandparents, parents, and their kids, Jack Cheng's new novel resonates with humor, honest truths, and enormous heart.

To learn about the journey of See You in the Cosmos, from manuscript to publication, listen to Jack Cheng's podcast: See You In The Bookshelf

Now Jack is co-hosting a new podcast, Booksmitten with Kelly J. Baptist, Patrick Flores-Scott, and Heather Shumaker. Seeing a hopeful, human world through children's literature.

Detroit Public TV featured Jack Cheng in conversation with his friend Paul Pham in AAPI Stories Series

REVIEWS:

The Many Masks of Andy Zhou

July/August 2023 Kids' Indie Next List

One of Kobo.com Best Books of the Month (June)

A Featured New Release on Bookshop.org

A Junior Library Guild (JLG) Selection

"The story has a sincere heart that will resonate with tweens as they recognize themselves and their friends in the pages. A perceptive coming-of-age tale that captures the joys and complex anxieties of middle school."- Kirkus

"Cheng draws on personal experience, detailed in an author's note, to pen this novel of internal and interpersonal tensions that touches on mental health . . . The message of becoming one's authentic self comes through loud and clear." - Publishers Weekly

"The author of See You in the Cosmos (2017) offers up another realistic, character-driven middle-grade story that explores multiple issues…a compelling addition to middle-school and upper-elementary collections." - Booklist

"There's an aching poignancy [here]. This moving novel about self-discovery will resonate with kids navigating the shifting waters of middle school." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (BCCB)

"A beautiful, contemplative novel that will stay with readers. Recommended for fans of Erin Entrada Kelly and Nicole Melleby." - School Library Journal

"Beautifully written, [with] complexity and nuance." - Book Riot

"Readers will find a friend in Andy—a kind-hearted kid trying to find his footing while caring for those around him. Andy contains multitudes, like all of us. Another beautiful book by Jack Cheng." Erin Entrada Kelly, Newbery Award-winning author of Hello, Universe

"This book sings with beautiful writing and rich detail. Seeing Andy come into his own is a joy and a journey." Tae Keller, Newbury Award-winning author of When You Trap A Tiger

"Andy's quiet courage and budding artistry has readers cheering him on as he searches to define himself and learns there are no boundaries to who we are-and who we can become. With honesty and gentle humour, Jack Cheng explores the joys and heartaches of growing up." Paula Yoo, National Book Award-longlisted author of From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry

See You In The Cosmos

"It is not always that we read a novel that so powerfully affirms our human capacity for grace and love and understanding; we need this book for the ways in which it gives us more to be human beings with. And it gives us Alex, whose face is turned to the stars." - Gary D. Schmidt, author of National Book Award finalist Okay for Now

"I love this book—the characters, the story, but most of all, the voice that writer Jack Cheng has created. It's the best I've read in a long, long, long time."- Holly Goldberg Sloan, bestselling author of Counting by 7s

"Alex Petroski has a big mind, big dreams, and a big heart. His story is full of the real kind of magic—friends well-met, surprising journeys, and heartbreak and hope. This is a beautiful book." - Ally Condie, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Matched and Summerlost

Cheng delivers a sweet, soulful debut novel with a brilliant, refreshing structure...Riveting, inspiring, and sometimes hilarious. - Kirkus

"The narration is a delight, swerving from space jokes and naivety to childlike wisdom." - Financial Times

"Poignant and funny . . . propulsive . . . Alex's strong voice drives this compelling personal journey with resonant themes of family, friendship, and resilience." - Publisher's Weekly

"A big fiction debut for Puffin…Moving and hopeful, it's an unmissable adventure." - Bookseller

"This book's strength is its exuberant and utterly believable first-person narrator…Good for both budding astronomers and fans of road trip books." - Booklist

"I was absolutely mesmerized by this book! . . . Mr. Cheng's incredible storytelling reaffirmed my belief that creativity is still very much alive in children's literature. A wonderful read for middle grade-aged readers and beyond! I already have a list of people I want to give this book to." - BookRiot "Most Anticipated Books for 2017"

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