Nate Yu's Blast from the Past

Maisie Chan’s Blast from the Past is a heartfelt middle grade novel blending history, humour, and the search for identity. The story follows Nate Yu Riley, who has just moved with his two mums from a quiet village to bustling Liverpool. While his mums gently encourage him to explore his Chinese heritage, Nate is far more interested in his ant colony and his trusty ‘Secret Life of Ants’ journal. His connection to his queen ant, Betsy, feels much safer and more familiar than grappling with Chinese language lessons and unfamiliar customs.

Adjusting to a new school brings its own challenges, from figuring out friendship dynamics to navigating embarrassment in front of new classmates like Missy and Ryan. But everything changes when a school project on World War I leads the trio to a mysterious shell casing engraved with a Chinese dragon. When Nate inadvertently awakens a ghost called Jirou who served with the often forgotten Chinese Labour Corps, he and his new friends are drawn into a whole new world and adventure.

As Nate and his friends dig deeper into the ghost’s past, they uncover a hidden chapter of history that links directly to Nate’s own identity. The emotional resonance of the ghost’s story gently encourages Nate to reflect on who he is and where he comes from. Through this journey, he begins to find a stronger sense of belonging, in his new home of Liverpool and within himself.

Chan’s signature warmth and humour are evident throughout, with madcap adventures and laugh-out-loud moments balancing the book’s more serious themes. As always, her characters are multi-dimensional, relatable, and full of heart. Chan’s commitment to uncovering overlooked histories shows in the carefully researched and compassionately told story which gives young readers an engaging way to learn about the Chinese Labour Corps and about the importance of remembering accurately, all who shaped the world we live in today.

Nate Yu’s Blast from the Past is a thoughtful, funny, and deeply moving story that celebrates curiosity, friendship, and the power of embracing every part of your history.