King of the Armadillos by Wendy Chin

Behind the backdrop of New York in the 1950's the Chins were trying to walk a tightrope to fit in like many Chinese Americans. Dad and his longtime girlfriend along with two brothers are trying to blend in but keep in contact with their mother and family still in China. They all have very real parts of their lives to hide - dad is involved with a white woman, the oldest brother is having an affair with a married woman and the younger brother, Victor has just been diagnosed with Hansen's Disease otherwise known as leprosy. Victor is sent for treatment to Carville Louisiana which feels more like a jail than hospital but soon begins to find family there in the other patients. Not knowing if he will be there for a few months or never be allowed to leave he still straddles the life he left, the secret he does not share with his mother in China and his new passions - music and another patient. A brilliant coming of age story about finding a silver lining in a time of tension and fear of anything outside of the perceived norm be it disease, culture or love. Fascinating historical fiction based on true events.  4 stars