Ly-Lan and the New Class Mix-Up
Ly-Lan Finds a Way, Book 1
by Hà Dinh
Narrated by Elyse Dinh
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Pub Date 7 May 2025 | Archive Date 1 Sep 2025
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Description
Sometimes things don’t turn out the way we plan! In this chapter book series about a daughter of Vietnamese immigrants, Ly-Lan navigates her life as a new third grader—complete with old and new friends, unexpected (and disappointing) changes at home and school, and finding a way to thrive.
Third grade is not starting the way Ly-Lan pictured. First, her best friend Cece is put in another class—even after Ly-Lan prayed they would be in the same one. And then Ly-Lan is tasked with showing the new Vietnamese student around. Ly-Lan wants to hang out with Cece, not play translator to the new girl, and she doesn’t understand why her prayers aren’t being answered. If Ly-Lan is going to flourish in third grade, she must learn to trust in God’s plans, especially when it means making some adjustments to her own.
Ly-Lan and the New Class Mix-up:
- Is the first in a series of illustrated early chapter books about Ly-Lan, a third grader tackling familiar themes like friendship, overcoming obstacles, and navigating changes in life with grace
- Perfect for kids ages 6 and up or reluctant or emerging readers just starting to explore chapter books on their own.
- Is an encouraging listen for reluctant book explorers with its illustrated chapters.
- Is written by Vietnamese American author Ha Dinh, creator of HappyDaysinFirstGrade.com and @hellomrsdinh on Instagram
A glossary can be found in the audiobook companion PDF download.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
Advance Praise
"Lightly Christian messaging permeates a classic friendship story in which Ly-Lan learns that 'God isn't a genie' who grants wishes and that people can have more than one friend. Dinh imbues Ly-Lan's emotional journey with brightness and heart in this gentle series opener." --Publisher's Weekly
"Simple yet engaging sentence structure, short chapters, and a wholesome message about embracing change and making new friends are perfect for early readers, who may also learn a few words in Vietnamese along the way...A warm early chapter book series, and shy; recommended for readers who love the and shy; 'Yasmin' books by and shy; Saadia Faruqi." --School Library Journal
Available Editions
EDITION | Audiobook, Unabridged |
ISBN | 9780310174936 |
PRICE | US$15.99 (USD) |
DURATION | 59 Minutes |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews

The story follows Ly-Lyan, an eight year old who is soon to be a third grader. Ly-Lyan is a curious girl and loves to know more about the culture and traditions of Vietnam, her grandmother's place.
She is exciting to begin new class with her best friend but it was too soon to celebrate. Cece and Ly-Lyan get different classes and a new girl joins the school who happens to be her seatmate. Then Ly-Lyan dies everything from prayers to writing a letter to the principal however things happens just as it was supposed to happen.
The narrator did a commendable job in bringing out the emotions of the characters. The author's writing style and creativity is definitely mesmerizing. The themes of friendship, creativity, warmth, comfort, new changes and happiness are well explored. Ly-Lyan's character will definitely resonate deeply with the children who have similar feelings like having your best friend who has other best friends, decisions and actions of new beginnings and other.
"The more the merrier." That's the moral of the story.