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mehsi's review against another edition
2.0
I am not sure if I liked the book or hated it. So 2 stars for now.
Sorry, but Lucy was for most of the book a whiny, conceited little brat. She started to change around halfway, but sorry, that won't save the book any more for me.
I really wanted to slap Lucy and tell her to just look at the good things instead of focussing on everything that is OH SO BAD, boohoo.
Sure her parents also aren't that great, not telling Lucy about things, or having high expectations of her. And Regina, gosh I was so happy she was out of the picture soon. I can't imagine a whole book with miss know-it-all and miss I-am-sooo-much-better-than-you. I really hate that kind of character.
And we still didn't have any conclusive in regards with Harrison and Lucy. I would love to know if they got a bit further then the whole shuffle-around-each-other-phase, which was just awkward.
So yeah, nice book at times, but mostly I was just annoyed with most of the characters.
Sorry, but Lucy was for most of the book a whiny, conceited little brat. She started to change around halfway, but sorry, that won't save the book any more for me.
I really wanted to slap Lucy and tell her to just look at the good things instead of focussing on everything that is OH SO BAD, boohoo.
Sure her parents also aren't that great, not telling Lucy about things, or having high expectations of her. And Regina, gosh I was so happy she was out of the picture soon. I can't imagine a whole book with miss know-it-all and miss I-am-sooo-much-better-than-you. I really hate that kind of character.
And we still didn't have any conclusive in regards with Harrison and Lucy. I would love to know if they got a bit further then the whole shuffle-around-each-other-phase, which was just awkward.
So yeah, nice book at times, but mostly I was just annoyed with most of the characters.
catherine_mack's review against another edition
3.0
I purchased this book for the school library as part of our plan to diversify the collection. I ended up enjoying the story more than I thought I would; the theme of bullying in upper primary years was woven into the cultural threads of the story and handled well. Audience for this book: 10+ and good for any sporty readers as it revolves around basketball.
evillmamma's review against another edition
3.0
I thought this book was fine, but it didn't really grab me. But my 10 year old daughter put it on her list of books she wanted me to read, so apparently it was a big hit with her.
cinderelles's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this book, but it made me very hungry for baozi! (Dumplings.)
kim_j_dare's review against another edition
4.0
From February 2011 SLJ:
Gr 46Lucy knows that sixth grade is going to be the best year ever: she finally gets her own room now that her older sister is off to college, and she and her friend Madison are ready to rule the basketball courts. But Lucy's parents put a glitch in those plans when her father returns from a business trip to China with Lucy's great-aunt, who will visit until Christmas. Lucy again has a roommate, and resents this elderly lady who does not speak English and cooks only Chinese food for a family used to pizza and burgers. To make matters worse, her parents insist that she attend Chinese school on Saturday mornings, which means forgoing basketball practice. She is busy with her suburban American life and doesn't feel the need to converse in Chinese or to dwell on Chinese traditions. Slowly, though, she comes to appreciate all that Yi Po has lived through and the quiet ways that her great-aunt shows her love for the family. When Lucy is bullied by a popular girl, she thinks about what her brother told her about Yi Po's life during China's Cultural Revolution and determines that she will act with similar courage and conviction. Lucy is an engaging character, and Shang skillfully weaves in Chinese history and legend as she brings the relationships between Lucy and her family and friends to life. Fans of Grace Lin's Year of the Dog (2006) and Year of the Rat (2008, both Little, Brown) will enjoy meeting this feisty protagonist as she learns to dismantle some walls she has built around herself.Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA
Gr 46Lucy knows that sixth grade is going to be the best year ever: she finally gets her own room now that her older sister is off to college, and she and her friend Madison are ready to rule the basketball courts. But Lucy's parents put a glitch in those plans when her father returns from a business trip to China with Lucy's great-aunt, who will visit until Christmas. Lucy again has a roommate, and resents this elderly lady who does not speak English and cooks only Chinese food for a family used to pizza and burgers. To make matters worse, her parents insist that she attend Chinese school on Saturday mornings, which means forgoing basketball practice. She is busy with her suburban American life and doesn't feel the need to converse in Chinese or to dwell on Chinese traditions. Slowly, though, she comes to appreciate all that Yi Po has lived through and the quiet ways that her great-aunt shows her love for the family. When Lucy is bullied by a popular girl, she thinks about what her brother told her about Yi Po's life during China's Cultural Revolution and determines that she will act with similar courage and conviction. Lucy is an engaging character, and Shang skillfully weaves in Chinese history and legend as she brings the relationships between Lucy and her family and friends to life. Fans of Grace Lin's Year of the Dog (2006) and Year of the Rat (2008, both Little, Brown) will enjoy meeting this feisty protagonist as she learns to dismantle some walls she has built around herself.Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA
lost_goddess's review against another edition
5.0
So good. A girl deals with family and a bully, and she finds herself. She learns to appreciate her blended culture and the ways family can change your life. I teared up at the end.
brandypainter's review against another edition
4.0
Originally posted here.
It is rare for me to pick up a book anymore that I have no preconceived notions about. It is hard not to develop some about almost any book when I read so many blogs. I was very excited when I saw The Great Wall of Lucy Wu by Wendy Wan-Long Shang on the new arrivals shelf at my library. I had seen it mentioned in a couple of comments at Heavy Medal but knew nothing else about it. Just the title. It was a lovely experience going into the story not knowing what to expect. I can say that it is one that is well worth reading and adding to any library collection (home, classroom, school).
Kids are going to sympathize with Lucy in all sorts of ways. I sympathized with her and really wanted to have a heart to heart with her parents on how unreasonable they are at times. Even when I knew they were right. That is how well Shang conveyed Lucy's emotions. Lucy has all the genuine feelings, frustrations, joys, and concerns of any typical sixth grade girl. There is a boy she likes but is content to sneak looks at. She is afraid of falling on the wrong side of her school's golden girl, who is a mean bully. She feels like her parents don't understand her or care about her feelings at all. There is an element in her story of warring culture. She is a Chinese-American and the American part wins over the Chinese part in many of her choices. Unlike her "perfect" older sister who speaks fluent Chinese and has learned all she can about the culture. This is conveyed with a light touch and, while probably the most element of Wendy's story, never becomes tired or trite.
Then there is Yi Po's story which the teacher/mom in me likes best about the book. There is a scene toward the end where Yi Po is recounting a moment from her childhood. A moment that took place during China's Cultural Revolution. It is a heart wrenching story and is told in such a way that it draws the reader in and manages to educate them on a very important time in Chinese (and therefore World) History at the same time. As most people probably manage to graduate high school without ever hearing about the Cultural Revolution this is a very good thing indeed. It is not the main reason to read the book though, only an added benefit.
The ending was a little too neat and tidy, all loose ends tied up in a pretty bow with curly ribbons, for my taste. But I am a cynical grown up. I can see a kid eating it up because that is the way they want similar situation in their own lives to end. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a good contemporary MG novel.
It is rare for me to pick up a book anymore that I have no preconceived notions about. It is hard not to develop some about almost any book when I read so many blogs. I was very excited when I saw The Great Wall of Lucy Wu by Wendy Wan-Long Shang on the new arrivals shelf at my library. I had seen it mentioned in a couple of comments at Heavy Medal but knew nothing else about it. Just the title. It was a lovely experience going into the story not knowing what to expect. I can say that it is one that is well worth reading and adding to any library collection (home, classroom, school).
Kids are going to sympathize with Lucy in all sorts of ways. I sympathized with her and really wanted to have a heart to heart with her parents on how unreasonable they are at times. Even when I knew they were right. That is how well Shang conveyed Lucy's emotions. Lucy has all the genuine feelings, frustrations, joys, and concerns of any typical sixth grade girl. There is a boy she likes but is content to sneak looks at. She is afraid of falling on the wrong side of her school's golden girl, who is a mean bully. She feels like her parents don't understand her or care about her feelings at all. There is an element in her story of warring culture. She is a Chinese-American and the American part wins over the Chinese part in many of her choices. Unlike her "perfect" older sister who speaks fluent Chinese and has learned all she can about the culture. This is conveyed with a light touch and, while probably the most element of Wendy's story, never becomes tired or trite.
Then there is Yi Po's story which the teacher/mom in me likes best about the book. There is a scene toward the end where Yi Po is recounting a moment from her childhood. A moment that took place during China's Cultural Revolution. It is a heart wrenching story and is told in such a way that it draws the reader in and manages to educate them on a very important time in Chinese (and therefore World) History at the same time. As most people probably manage to graduate high school without ever hearing about the Cultural Revolution this is a very good thing indeed. It is not the main reason to read the book though, only an added benefit.
The ending was a little too neat and tidy, all loose ends tied up in a pretty bow with curly ribbons, for my taste. But I am a cynical grown up. I can see a kid eating it up because that is the way they want similar situation in their own lives to end. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a good contemporary MG novel.
tt0rres's review against another edition
5.0
I found this book to be a well written, heart-warming story. The realistic characters struggle with bullying, family values, and cultural differences. I would definitely recommend this to upper elementary readers.
cstoeger's review against another edition
4.0
It was supposed to be the best year of Lucy's life. Her sister moved to college so she was supposed to have her room to herself. Until Lucy found out that her great-aunt was coming from China to spend some time with her family.
Won the Asian Pacific American Award for Literature 2012.
Won the Asian Pacific American Award for Literature 2012.
shicklin's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book, Lucy's life and all of the different facets she juggled to manage her 6th grade year. I remember 6th grade--it was a year of highs and lows.
I won a skype date with the author, who very generously sent a few copies of her book. Our 4th and 5th grade classes at Mountainview are currently reading it. I cannot wait to discuss it with the kids, and then in May with Wendy Shang herself.
I particularly liked the bridging of cultures and ages, as Lucy adjusted to living with her great-aunt. I also enjoyed the chinese idioms. When I was learning Indonesian, in one of the units we learned an Indonesian idiom every day. After I realized that people always respond favorably when I use an idiom, I began to use them more.
I won a skype date with the author, who very generously sent a few copies of her book. Our 4th and 5th grade classes at Mountainview are currently reading it. I cannot wait to discuss it with the kids, and then in May with Wendy Shang herself.
I particularly liked the bridging of cultures and ages, as Lucy adjusted to living with her great-aunt. I also enjoyed the chinese idioms. When I was learning Indonesian, in one of the units we learned an Indonesian idiom every day. After I realized that people always respond favorably when I use an idiom, I began to use them more.