Reviews

Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park

lucylynne's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

pomegranateicecream's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful informative inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

internationalkris's review against another edition

5.0

Linda Sue Park's reimagining of the world of Little House on the Prairie with a character that in her words looks like she does is a complete winner in all aspects. Hanna was a wonderful central character to follow, and she showed her resiliency throughout the whole story. Racism was a central theme of the novel and many important insights are provided but the plotting of the story was equally strong as Hanna and her father began a life in a new life for themselves in a frontier town. This is going to be a top recommendation as a middle grade historical fiction in our library.

jcarsrud's review against another edition

5.0

Hanna is half Chinese living in the Dakota Territory in 1880. Linda Sue Park has included a wonderful author’s note on racial inequality throughout US history and included some experiences she’s had in Hanna’s story. This is a must read for all 4th-6th grade teachers as a read aloud in their classrooms! What great conversations to be had based on the experiences of these characters!!

msvenner's review against another edition

4.0

This is a great historical novel for US based middle schoolers. It looks at race in the pioneer days in a realistic but fairly gentle way. An excellent alternative to the Little House on the Prarie series.

literatehedgehog's review against another edition

4.0

An earnest, relevant, and stirring historical fiction.
Higher middle grade or beyond, with content warning for racism, an onslaught of microaggressions, and threatened violence towards a teen girl.

rapunzel711's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

mommamel11's review against another edition

5.0

Wow! This book is amazing. I was an avid reader of the Little House series when it was popular in the late 60’s-early 70’s. I still have the set I collected that I read many times as a preteen/teen. The author has written a story that captures the details I loved as a child: the food, the shopping, the community. I had a real sense of nostalgia. It was a perfect read for a rainy weekend. But included in the narrative are examples of how non-whites--the main character is half Chinese-- were judged and treated unfairly. The descriptions of Hanna’s thinking as she processes people’s treatment of her are eloquent but not at all heavy handed. It was a satisfying read. I look forward to recommending it.

lizzieesposito's review against another edition

4.0

Perfect middle grade novel putting Asian Americans back into the narrative of our pioneer life. It is written with emotional complexity describing Hannas experience with discrimination, injustice, hope, friendship, and empowerment. Completely replace your little house on the prairie series with this single book.

summyrenea's review against another edition

5.0

I loved this book so much (and I don’t normally like middle grades books). It’s got clear Little House influences, but it’s a story that has mostly gone untold until now. I need a sequel.