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deschatjes's review
4.0
A rather challenging book to get into but a unique perspective on a young boy and his father migrating to California in the early 1900s
Offers a lot of room for discussion on points of view, 'the other' and making relationships over shared values and interests.
Suitable for strong readers 10+
Offers a lot of room for discussion on points of view, 'the other' and making relationships over shared values and interests.
Suitable for strong readers 10+
wardo2700's review
4.0
This book was more enjoyable than Dragon’s Gate, the book set in time right before in the series. I liked how well the author built the relationships between the main characters and a handful of their new friends. His weaving of historical fact into his fictional tale was quite good too especially his telling of the earthquake disaster.
daumari's review against another edition
5.0
This is the first time I've revisited Dragonwings since I was in sixth grade, "inspired" by the Blount County parents in Tennesee who got this pulled from sixth grade curriculum there, declaring this Newberry honor novel as inappropriate and "not for Americans" which shows they either didn't read past the first page or they simply don't care, especially considering how Laurence Yep's afterword mentions part of why he wrote this was to get past the stereotypes of Chinese in America: Fu Manchu, Charlie Chan, nameless houseboys and cooks as comedic fodder. Dragonwings is a step at humanizing us and placing the Chinese American experience at an approachable level for middle grade.
Laurence Yep's books were a crucial part of my childhood reads, more important than other historical fiction like the Little House books because as a 4th generation Chinese American these were my stories, of the people who came before me. Despite retroactively being the 5th in the Golden Mountain Chronicles, Dragonwings was the first one published (in 1975, so likely in the school libraries of those angry parents when THEY were kids) and it covers a lot of material that I don't recall being taught well in my public education. The Chinese Exclusion Act gets maybe a sentence at most for the late 1800s period in curriculum, but its impact is massive: the first immigration law barring a nationality in the United States (though the lead up to it included the Page Act which prohibited the immigration of Chinese women). As Moon Shadow's father notes, he's a partner in the laundry Company on paper so he can bring his son over because the only exception to the exclusion act (which was aimed at laborers "stealing American jobs"- sound familiar?) was the merchant class. They send money back to the family in China, which is similar to what my great-great-grandfather did, allowing my great-grandmother to grow up privileged enough with a tutor.
Between the TN parental complaints and 1 star reviews on here, people in the white caste take issue with being called demons, and perhaps that's because this is one of the few times where they identify more with the antagonists. However, the very first page of the novel also mentions that Moon Shadow's grandfather was lynched by the white demons over in the land of America so he and his family have good reason to not trust white Americans. The bullying, the violence that the T'ang people faced were all very real threats (and given the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes over the last two years, a cyclical fear) so when people say this violence is inappropriate for their children, I wonder if they think it ok for an immigrant boy to face similar when they arrive on a strange shore. Does that make my family history inappropriate, or any less American? This country was and is built on immigrants though it has a curious habit of wanting the labor but not the people. The purpose of having books like Dragonwings in curriculum is so that history IS taught, so students don't continue the willful ignorance of their parents in not recognizing their fellow citizens. (I think the most misguided comment I saw alluded to the CCP which 1) didn't exist in Moon Shadow's time and 2) is irrelevant to a book about the Chinese American experience, especially for a pre-1940s immigration tale.)
Dragonwings is also inspired by a real life Chinese American aviator, another example of a figure in American history largely unknown. I'd completely forgot that the Wright brothers figure into this plot, where Moon Shadow and his father correspond with them about how to build a better flying machine.
My favorite Golden Mountain Chronicles book is actually [b:The Traitor|25261|The Traitor (Golden Mountain Chronicles, #4)|Laurence Yep|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348823964l/25261._SY75_.jpg|2675977] which is about the Rock Springs Massacre in Wyoming. Even though I checked it out for my own reading, I remember my parents also reading it because it took the subject seriously and reflects the extinguishing of other Chinatowns across the west, but that's another review for another day.
Laurence Yep's books were a crucial part of my childhood reads, more important than other historical fiction like the Little House books because as a 4th generation Chinese American these were my stories, of the people who came before me. Despite retroactively being the 5th in the Golden Mountain Chronicles, Dragonwings was the first one published (in 1975, so likely in the school libraries of those angry parents when THEY were kids) and it covers a lot of material that I don't recall being taught well in my public education. The Chinese Exclusion Act gets maybe a sentence at most for the late 1800s period in curriculum, but its impact is massive: the first immigration law barring a nationality in the United States (though the lead up to it included the Page Act which prohibited the immigration of Chinese women). As Moon Shadow's father notes, he's a partner in the laundry Company on paper so he can bring his son over because the only exception to the exclusion act (which was aimed at laborers "stealing American jobs"- sound familiar?) was the merchant class. They send money back to the family in China, which is similar to what my great-great-grandfather did, allowing my great-grandmother to grow up privileged enough with a tutor.
Between the TN parental complaints and 1 star reviews on here, people in the white caste take issue with being called demons, and perhaps that's because this is one of the few times where they identify more with the antagonists. However, the very first page of the novel also mentions that Moon Shadow's grandfather was lynched by the white demons over in the land of America so he and his family have good reason to not trust white Americans. The bullying, the violence that the T'ang people faced were all very real threats (and given the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes over the last two years, a cyclical fear) so when people say this violence is inappropriate for their children, I wonder if they think it ok for an immigrant boy to face similar when they arrive on a strange shore. Does that make my family history inappropriate, or any less American? This country was and is built on immigrants though it has a curious habit of wanting the labor but not the people. The purpose of having books like Dragonwings in curriculum is so that history IS taught, so students don't continue the willful ignorance of their parents in not recognizing their fellow citizens. (I think the most misguided comment I saw alluded to the CCP which 1) didn't exist in Moon Shadow's time and 2) is irrelevant to a book about the Chinese American experience, especially for a pre-1940s immigration tale.)
Dragonwings is also inspired by a real life Chinese American aviator, another example of a figure in American history largely unknown. I'd completely forgot that the Wright brothers figure into this plot, where Moon Shadow and his father correspond with them about how to build a better flying machine.
My favorite Golden Mountain Chronicles book is actually [b:The Traitor|25261|The Traitor (Golden Mountain Chronicles, #4)|Laurence Yep|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348823964l/25261._SY75_.jpg|2675977] which is about the Rock Springs Massacre in Wyoming. Even though I checked it out for my own reading, I remember my parents also reading it because it took the subject seriously and reflects the extinguishing of other Chinatowns across the west, but that's another review for another day.
sumayyaha's review against another edition
3.0
Rating 3 Stars / (Assigned reading)
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At first, I thought it was okay, but when the story progressed, rather slowly, I thought it was kind of slow-paced. It also seemed like the author made the characters meet just for the purpose to be used later, not for emotional or mental thought. And the story didn't even seem to be about Moon Shadow, for as much of the story is his, his father's parts probably triple it. I also got rather annoyed at something his father does in particular. You may know that Moon Shadow is shipped off to America to live with his father because he wants him to come but he acts like he's not even there sometimes.
There is also another problem: the rating. It's rated 10+ but really shouldn't be. They mention prostitutes, drugs, murder (not just mention, it actually happens right in front of the main character), and bad language. Is that what 10 yr olds should be reading about? They may need to know those things but not that soon. 12+ at least.
____________________________________
At first, I thought it was okay, but when the story progressed, rather slowly, I thought it was kind of slow-paced. It also seemed like the author made the characters meet just for the purpose to be used later, not for emotional or mental thought. And the story didn't even seem to be about Moon Shadow, for as much of the story is his, his father's parts probably triple it. I also got rather annoyed at something his father does in particular. You may know that Moon Shadow is shipped off to America to live with his father because he wants him to come but he acts like he's not even there sometimes.
There is also another problem: the rating. It's rated 10+ but really shouldn't be. They mention prostitutes, drugs, murder (not just mention, it actually happens right in front of the main character), and bad language. Is that what 10 yr olds should be reading about? They may need to know those things but not that soon. 12+ at least.
emmad24's review
I read this in 6th grade and all I remember was that the ending sucked
dreadspawn's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Minor: Death
roseleaf24's review
5.0
I really enjoyed this book. It was a clear picture of life for Chinese immigrants in the early 1900s, a view of the 1906 earthquake, and a lovely insight into family relationships.
amy_mark's review
3.0
If you've ever wondered what it would be like to be a Chinese immigrant in California at the turn of the century, this would be a good story to read. The reader gains insight into the worldview of these immigrants, as well as the many hardships they faced.
I read this book because it was on the "red flag" shelf at our elementary library, waiting to be reviewed by an adult. The age recommendation on the back of the book is age 10 and up. There are a few things that cause me to question if this book should not be moved to the middle school/high school library, such as opium use, gambling, alcohol use, violence, mentions of prostitution, some language, etc. However, these are not glorified in the book; they are presented as things to avoid (even at great cost, such as the man who cut off his right hand after realizing how much gambling cost him, since that was the hand that held the dice).
I read this book because it was on the "red flag" shelf at our elementary library, waiting to be reviewed by an adult. The age recommendation on the back of the book is age 10 and up. There are a few things that cause me to question if this book should not be moved to the middle school/high school library, such as opium use, gambling, alcohol use, violence, mentions of prostitution, some language, etc. However, these are not glorified in the book; they are presented as things to avoid (even at great cost, such as the man who cut off his right hand after realizing how much gambling cost him, since that was the hand that held the dice).
aliciasirois's review
1.0
I did not like this book at all. While I was reading it, I tried to keep an open mind, but I had a hard time being called a "demon" the whole time. I understand the book was trying to be realistic toward the time period, but since it is geared towards young adults, I would have liked the main character to learn the lesson of not judging a book by its cover. That never happened which is why I think I took such offense to being called a "demon".
tiffanywang29's review against another edition
2.0
It's okay. Like, I get it and stuff, but it's not great. The end is kind of weird, but it's happy. Of course, there will actually be many bad things, but right now, it's good.