Chapter summaries New from Here Kelly Yang

Chapter 89 Summary, Analysis, and Study Guide

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

The chapter opens the morning after the previous events. The family is gathered in the living room, working on homework, while their mother takes a Zoom call upstairs. Unlike their schools in Hong Kong, the children’s new schools do not offer live online classes; instead, they are given a set of independent assignments to complete on their own. The narrator notes that the work feels heavy and that they are all sitting impatiently.

When Lea gets confused about which months have thirty days, Bowen steps in to help. He shows her a knuckle-counting method, using his fist to demonstrate how the bumps and valleys correspond to months with 31 and 30 days. He explains that their grandmother, Lao Lao, taught him this trick. The narrator is surprised and impressed that Bowen is genuinely helping, and Lea asks where Lao Lao learned it. The narrator suggests they ask her during their next Skype call, and Bowen agrees, proposing they do it that evening. The narrator reflects that it has been a while since they last spoke with their grandparents and wonders how they are doing in Beijing—whether they are still staying inside or have begun to venture out.

Bowen then notices that the narrator is struggling with geometry, specifically the difference between acute and obtuse triangles. He offers a memory trick: an acute triangle is smaller than ninety degrees, and because it contains the word “cute,” and small things are often cute, it is easy to remember. Lea chimes in with agreement, and Bowen adds a playful “usually.”

With Bowen’s help, the homework that once took days is completed in about an hour. The narrator feels they actually learned something. When the assignments are done, Lea and the narrator hand them over to Bowen, who acts as “teacher” and takes photos of the work to submit through Google Classroom. While Bowen is uploading, the narrator walks to the door to check on the dino suits they are expecting, but they have not arrived yet.

Bowen then prepares to go for a run up the hill. The narrator offers to time him, expecting Bowen to decline or suggest a Zoom race with his new friend Jackson. Instead, Bowen says “Sure,” and the narrator excitedly grabs an iPad to act as his coach. As they walk outside, Bowen asks if they can play soccer later. The narrator beams, feeling as if they have scored ten goals.

Key Events

  • The family completes homework in the living room while Mom is on a Zoom call; schools assign independent work rather than live classes.

  • Bowen teaches Lea the knuckle-counting method for remembering month lengths, a technique he learned from Lao Lao.

  • The narrator suggests asking Lao Lao about the method during a Skype call, and Bowen agrees to do it that evening.

  • Bowen helps the narrator distinguish acute from obtuse triangles using a “cute” memory trick.

  • The homework is finished in about an hour, and Bowen photographs and submits it via Google Classroom.

  • The narrator checks for the dino suits, but they have not arrived.

  • Bowen goes for a run and accepts the narrator’s offer to time him, then asks to play soccer later.

Character Development

Bowen’s transformation is the central thread of this chapter. Earlier in the book, he was often distant, competitive, or focused on his own interests. Here, he takes on the role of a patient teacher, helping both Lea and the narrator with their schoolwork. He uses a method passed down from their grandmother, showing that he values family traditions and is willing to share them. His willingness to help without being asked, and his acceptance of the narrator’s offer to time his run, mark a clear shift toward cooperation and closeness. The narrator’s internal reaction—marveling at how much Bowen has changed—reinforces this growth.

The narrator also shows initiative by suggesting the Skype call and offering to time Bowen. Their excitement at being chosen as Bowen’s “coach” and at the prospect of playing soccer together indicates a deepening bond between the siblings. Lea, meanwhile, is receptive to learning and contributes to the lighthearted banter, showing her own engagement with the family’s new dynamic.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Remote learning and adaptation: The chapter highlights how the family adjusts to a new educational system during the pandemic, relying on independent assignments and digital tools like Google Classroom.

  • Sibling cooperation and bonding: Bowen’s teaching, the shared homework session, and the plan to play soccer all emphasize the growing unity among the children.

  • Family connection across distance: The planned Skype call with Lao Lao underscores the importance of maintaining ties with grandparents who live far away, especially during uncertain times.

  • Traditional wisdom and mnemonic learning: The knuckle-counting method, passed down from Lao Lao, represents the value of cultural knowledge and creative memory aids.

  • Anticipation and hope: The repeated checks for the dino suits and the narrator’s excitement about future activities suggest a forward-looking attitude despite the pandemic’s challenges.

  • Personal growth and change: Bowen’s behavior directly illustrates how characters can evolve, a motif that runs throughout the book.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter serves as a turning point in the sibling relationships. It shows Bowen moving from a peripheral or even antagonistic figure to an active, caring participant in the family’s daily life. The homework session becomes a moment of shared success, and the narrator’s admiration for Bowen signals a new level of respect. The chapter also reinforces the theme of maintaining family connections across distance, as the children plan to reach out to their grandmother. Additionally, the unfinished business of the dino suits and the promise of soccer later create a sense of continuity and anticipation, keeping the narrative moving forward.

Study Questions and Answers

1. How does Bowen’s method of teaching Lea the months reflect his character development?

Bowen uses a technique he learned from Lao Lao, showing that he values family traditions and is willing to pass them on. His patience and willingness to help without being asked contrast with his earlier behavior, indicating that he has become more caring and cooperative.

2. What does the narrator’s reaction to Bowen’s help reveal about their relationship?

The narrator is surprised and impressed, marveling at Bowen’s change. This suggests that the narrator previously saw Bowen as less helpful or more distant, and now appreciates the new dynamic. The narrator’s excitement about timing Bowen’s run and playing soccer further shows a growing closeness.

3. Why is the planned Skype call with Lao Lao significant in this chapter?

The call represents the family’s effort to maintain a connection with their grandparents during the pandemic. It also ties the children’s learning to their cultural heritage, as they plan to ask Lao Lao about the knuckle-counting method. This reinforces the theme of family bonds across distance.

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