Until We Meet Again
Lily Kim Qian
First Second
Published April 21, 2026
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About Until We Meet Again
A poignant and vividly illustrated graphic memoir about a young woman’s search for belonging as her immigrant family moves between Canada and China.
Lily isn’t sure where home is anymore. Her family is constantly on the move, resettling in different towns across Canada and, eventually, in Shanghai, China. Her father plays the role of primary caregiver while her mother is absent for long periods of time. When she reappears, her strange behavior turns Lily’s life upside down. As Lily enters her college years, she strives to better understand her family and her place in the world. But can she escape the inherited trauma passed down by her immigrant parents?
My Review
This moving illustrated memoir follows Lily from early childhood to adulthood and shows her feelings about and relationship with her mom as she begins to witness and, later, understand her mother’s mental health issues.
A few lines of thoughtful narrative appear on each page, reflecting on a moment or experience from the author’s childhood. Graphic novel panels without dialogue illustrate the events described.
This storytelling style gives readers a chance to piece together for themselves what’s happening and how the illustrations intersect with the narrative statements. I really enjoyed the way those added up to more than the sum of their parts.
I think it’s also an important story. Kids who have parents with mental health issues may find some of the descriptions and scenes resonate with them or validate their own experiences. Other kids who haven’t had an experience like this may find Qian’s writing illuminating. The story also briefly addresses the harm of stigma surrounding getting a diagnosis or treatment for mental health issues, which is another important topic for discussion.
All in all, this moving story deserves space on the shelf next to Visitations by Corey Egbert and Messy Roots by Laura Gao.
Content Notes
Recommended for Ages 14 to 18.
Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.
Romance/Sexual Content
None.
Spiritual Content
None.
Violent Content
References to her mother throwing things and becoming very upset if confronted by someone or something she didn’t like.
Drug Content
None.
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