Ever since Mei Jing came to Monifa s school they ve been best friends. They re both artistic and like to create wild designs together. They love to play at each other s houses; at Monifa s, they make a tent out of her mother s African blanket, and at Mei Jing s, they play with her new puppy and dream of having a veterinary clinic when they grow up. On one visit to Mei Jing s, Monifa notices that Mei Jing s grandma spends a lot of time there. She speaks Chinese and calls her granddaughter Mui Mui. Mei Jing s father even shows Monifa how to use chopsticks and Monifa tries food she s never eaten before. Luckily they don t serve chicken s feet At Chinese New Year the girls learn the Dragon Dance, and when Mei Jing s parents give Monifa a red envelope, she s surprised to discover it has real money in it The second in the My Friend series, My Friend Mei Jing is a poignant story that demonstrates how friendship is the strongest bond among kids living in a diverse community."