The Rock in My Throat
Written by Kao Kalia Yang
Illustrated by Jiemei Lin
Carolrhoda Books, 2024, 36 p (unpaged)
ISBN: 978-1728445687

In this autobiographical account, the author shares her experiences as a young Hmong refugee at home and in school in the United States. As she sees the poor treatment and impatience of others towards her parents when they do their best to communicate in English, she decides not to speak in English at school anymore. She describes this selective mutism as a rock that grows heavier in her throat each day in different situations and stops her from talking. At first, no one notices her silence, but after a while her teachers and classmates notice and are confused by this behavior. Now, at 43, the author looks back and shares her story of resilience. The story provides a powerful window into what she calls her revolution, when she took action in the only way she could as an empathetic gesture for her parents. While the story is sad, there are also moments of beauty, love, and hope. Overall, this touching story can teach children about the struggles that immigrants might face because of their second language when it seems as if no one likes or even has time to hear you.

The story begins on the jacket with Kalia depicted in the middle of the page with a rock in her throat and sad face, making eye contact with readers. As the story progresses, readers understand why Kalia decides to be silent as she experiences the loneliness of learning a new language and culture. In the pages that represent the school, she is depicted sitting alone and away from others, involved with something else like looking at the sky, the ground, her feet, or her hands, trying not to make eye contact with others while other children are playing games or talking. In the Author’s Note, Kalia explains that she did not speak audibly in school until she attended college where she discovered that her voice was through writing instead of talking.

The illustrations add depth to the emotions described by the author. Most of the pages in this digitally illustrated book are rendered in muted colors like brown, dark green, cream, or even black. There are also drawings of branches of a tree, leaves, stones, or flowers on most pages. The end papers are designed with floral symmetrical patterns with items from the narrative like a flower, feather, a stone, snow, or a leaf in the middle of each pattern, each one offering a glimpse into meaningful parts of the story. Changing the scale of the characters and adding only sparse details on each page helps create the sense of isolation and despair felt by Kalia. For example, when the protagonist and her mother try to ask the cashier where to find a light bulb without knowing the English word, they face rude behavior from the cashier. The illustrator portrayed their frustration by drawing the cashier covering almost one page and far bigger than the protagonist and her mother on the facing page. While most pages depict sadness and isolation, the final two pages are filled with green, symbolizing hope.

The text is also structured to convey strong emotions. There are several spots where the author repeats the same sentence structure or adjectives, highlighting the feelings in that specific moment. For example, in one section Kalia talks about how the feather seems to get smaller and smaller, and she’s afraid she can’t find it in her pocket anymore, showing how other things lose their significance for her when it comes to her silence in school.

It is possible to pair The Rock in My Throat with other books that explore similar themes about resisting negative treatment. Titles such as Between Us and Abuela by Mitali Perkins and Sara Palacios (2019), Somos como las nubes / We Are Like the Clouds by Jorge Argueta, Alfonso Ruano and Elisa Amado(2016), and Until Someone Listens by Estela Juarez, Lissette Norman and Teresa Martínez (2022) each carry a deep sense of loss, struggle, and resilience. Between Us and Abuela reminds readers that even the tallest borders cannot stop love, and children always find creative ways to reach those they miss. Until Someone Listens shows that when one voice is taken away, another one rises in its place. Also, making change is only possible if someone refuses to give up and keeps resisting. We Are Like Clouds reflects the heartbreaking journeys of young migrants seeking safety. Despite obstacles—whether language, borders, or laws—these stories remind us that resilience is more than survival. These books share the truth that love, hope, and courage stretch beyond the barriers placed before us. Whether it’s finding the courage to speak, finding a way to pass a gift through a fence, fighting for family, or walking miles for a safer life—each of these stories shows that the human spirit refuses to be silenced, no matter how heavy the rock in our throat or how far away home may seem. These books show that resilience is not just about surviving—it is about holding onto hope, finding new ways forward, and never giving up, even when the world feels unfair.

Kao Kalia Yang is a Hmong American writer, teacher, and public speaker. She was born in December 1980 in the Ban Vinai refugee camp, after her family escaped the horrors of the Secret War in Laos. At the age of six, she moved to the United States. Growing up, Yang faced many challenges with the English language. However, she eventually discovered that her true talent was not in speaking, but in writing. Yang graduated from Carleton College in 2003 with a degree in American Studies, Women’s and Gender Studies, and Cross-cultural Studies. Her first book, The Latehomecomer: A Hmong Family Memoir (2008), won the Minnesota Book Award for memoir/creative nonfiction and the Reader’s Choice Award. Her second book, The Song Poet (2016), also won the Minnesota Book Award in Creative Nonfiction/Memoir. Yang’s children’s book, A Map into the World (with Seo Kim, 2019), was honored with the Charlotte Zolotow Award for outstanding writing in a picturebook. Through her powerful writing, Yang continues to share her personal story and the experiences of her community, offering readers insight into Hmong American experiences.

Jiemei Lin is an illustrator originally from Hangzhou, China, now living and working in Washington State. She creates artwork using both digital tools and traditional materials like watercolor, pencil, oil, and mixed media. Her art often explores themes of personal and cultural identity, and she has a special gift for using design and color to tell meaningful stories. As an illustrator, Jiemei is passionate about representing and connecting with young people, especially those from underrepresented communities. She believes that every person’s story deserves to be heard, and that kindness and love should be at the heart of every relationship. Jiemei has also brought her illustrations to public spaces, creating stunning murals in cities like Spokane and Pullman, WA. Her work as a public artist allows her to share her vision and make art that speaks to everyone, no matter their background.

Christiane Andrade, University of Arizona

Narges Zandi, University of Arizona

© 2025 by Christiane Andrade and Narges Zandi