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miszjeanie's review
5.0
The Great Wall of Lucy Wu is a humorous, immersive middle-grade book with a memorable protagonist. Lucy Wu’s middle school trials and the struggles of being caught between cultures stand out. This book also examines Chinese history and culture in an accessible way, and encourages children of mixed cultures to give their parents’ cultures a fair chance. I would highly recommend The Great Wall of Lucy Wu to any readers who enjoy books about Chinese culture, funny protagonists, sports fiction, and books with loads of food references.
Read my full review on my blog.
Read my full review on my blog.
carnisht's review against another edition
5.0
This was a surprisingly excellent feel good story. I mean, it was 100% predictable, but that didn’t take away from the genuineness the author wrote with, how heartfelt it was, and how adorable I found the entire book to be.
Lucy was one of my favorite protagonists in recent memory, primarily because I really related to her. She was incredibly headstrong and stubborn and, unfortunately, I’ve been described that way many a time. She was a remarkably picky eater, got incredibly angry about sharing her room, lashed out after her parents forced her to do Chinese school instead of basketball. I was mad for Lucy, and I was easily able to imagine myself getting furious in her shoes, so I really loved how relatable she was.
To read more of my thoughts on this book, check out https://yalitreader.wordpress.com/2021/11/02/the-great-wall-of-lucy-wu-by-wendy-wan-long-shang/
Lucy was one of my favorite protagonists in recent memory, primarily because I really related to her. She was incredibly headstrong and stubborn and, unfortunately, I’ve been described that way many a time. She was a remarkably picky eater, got incredibly angry about sharing her room, lashed out after her parents forced her to do Chinese school instead of basketball. I was mad for Lucy, and I was easily able to imagine myself getting furious in her shoes, so I really loved how relatable she was.
To read more of my thoughts on this book, check out https://yalitreader.wordpress.com/2021/11/02/the-great-wall-of-lucy-wu-by-wendy-wan-long-shang/
madirowa's review against another edition
3.0
Once again, only read this to help one of the kids I’m babysitting with their summer work... but yeah, this was kind of boring and long but Yi Po was cute though I guess
wiseowl33's review against another edition
4.0
I laughed I cried I had a great time. Lucy Wu is a wonderful character. Great story!
iffer's review against another edition
4.0
The Great Wall of Lucy Wu was enjoyable and very good, if not great. It's another middle-grade girl book in the vein of Lisa Yee's books (also published by Scholastic) that is light, but still touches on some issues of what it means to grow up as an Asian American (or generally as any type of "hypenated American" or as a 1.5-2nd generation child) without being extremely stereotypical. I'm glad that there are more realistic fiction books featuring non-European ("non-white") descended children living in places like the US, Canada, Australia ("Western" countries) who are living "normal" lives rather than only very serious books about children who undergo extreme hardship (e.g. emigrant/refugee children). I hope that more books will come out that reflect diverse groups (ethnic, racial, religious, cultural, socioeconomic status, etc) of children so that every child can grow up reading books about children who they feel reflect their experiences and feelings.
A few other things:
1) I liked the inclusion of Lucy's Chinese-born American classmate Talent, as well as the inclusion of Lucy's half-Chinese crush Harrison, because they draw attention to some of the differences and similarities in experiences/perceptions/insecurities of American-born and [Insert country]-born American children and bi- or multi-racial children.
2) I groaned inwardly that the book started off with the family eating at fancy Chinese restaurant with dishes including pig's ear and whole frog, if only because it seems like many books about ethnic Americans/Canadians/Australians include food, as if it would be reassuring to the "outsider" culture reader who can think in their heads, "I like Chinese food, too!" or feel like they know a lot about a culture because they've had some food from there ("I love sushi.") However, in the end, I appreciated the author's use of food in the story because it eventually appeared in different ways, some cheesier than others (symbolism of coming to terms with her Chinese side and realizing that her friends wouldn't think Lucy was a freak because they enjoyed making dumplings with her visiting great-aunt), that balanced the use of the topic as food as a symbol. In the end, I just got a homey feeling about food, and was reminded that, although trite sounding, food is integral to family, culture and some of our best memories.
3) I think that the book contains a good message about the importance of relationships with your elders, and how special they can be. For some reason, maybe because subconsciously they remind us of our mortality, younger people tend to have an aversion to older people, and Lucy's distaste for her great-aunt Yi Po's Vix VapoRub smell and early-rising habits rang true.
4) The symbolism of the "great wall" Lucy erects to separate her side of the room from Yi Po's is a bit heavy-handed, in addition to the lame pun, but it is a children's book ;)
5) I liked the fact that some more serious things were touched upon, such as China's Cultural Revolution and the nastiness/bullying (which included subtle racism rather than obvious racism that leaves readers not thinking that racism is a problem because no one does things as obvious as using racials slurs) of middle grade children.
A few other things:
1) I liked the inclusion of Lucy's Chinese-born American classmate Talent, as well as the inclusion of Lucy's half-Chinese crush Harrison, because they draw attention to some of the differences and similarities in experiences/perceptions/insecurities of American-born and [Insert country]-born American children and bi- or multi-racial children.
2) I groaned inwardly that the book started off with the family eating at fancy Chinese restaurant with dishes including pig's ear and whole frog, if only because it seems like many books about ethnic Americans/Canadians/Australians include food, as if it would be reassuring to the "outsider" culture reader who can think in their heads, "I like Chinese food, too!" or feel like they know a lot about a culture because they've had some food from there ("I love sushi.") However, in the end, I appreciated the author's use of food in the story because it eventually appeared in different ways, some cheesier than others (symbolism of coming to terms with her Chinese side and realizing that her friends wouldn't think Lucy was a freak because they enjoyed making dumplings with her visiting great-aunt), that balanced the use of the topic as food as a symbol. In the end, I just got a homey feeling about food, and was reminded that, although trite sounding, food is integral to family, culture and some of our best memories.
3) I think that the book contains a good message about the importance of relationships with your elders, and how special they can be. For some reason, maybe because subconsciously they remind us of our mortality, younger people tend to have an aversion to older people, and Lucy's distaste for her great-aunt Yi Po's Vix VapoRub smell and early-rising habits rang true.
4) The symbolism of the "great wall" Lucy erects to separate her side of the room from Yi Po's is a bit heavy-handed, in addition to the lame pun, but it is a children's book ;)
5) I liked the fact that some more serious things were touched upon, such as China's Cultural Revolution and the nastiness/bullying (which included subtle racism rather than obvious racism that leaves readers not thinking that racism is a problem because no one does things as obvious as using racials slurs) of middle grade children.
alexcooper88's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.0
suzannedix's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed this story despite disliking the main character intensely. I realize Lucy is the baby of the family but to be eleven years old and this whiny was really annoying. Lucy does mature a bit toward the end of this story but I found it really hard to understand how her parents excused her behavior.
For sure, I want to learn to make dumplings as they were all I could think of while reading!
Grades 4 and up.
For sure, I want to learn to make dumplings as they were all I could think of while reading!
Grades 4 and up.
cassiefleurs's review against another edition
Nice book , is refreshing to read about Asian American without the usual stereotypes of strict parents or good at math . It was also nice to have a girl so committed to sports and find ways to connect with her culture.
On the other hand , gosh she was so selfish , self centered and rude. I would be disappointed if she were my child.
On the other hand , gosh she was so selfish , self centered and rude. I would be disappointed if she were my child.
yapha's review against another edition
4.0
Lucy is sure that sixth grade is going to be the best year ever! She'll be in the oldest grade in the school, her sister is going to college so she'll finally have her own room, and she and her best friend Madison will be amazing on their club basketball team. What she didn't count on was her long last great-aunt from China coming for an extended visit or a new Chinese school that conflicts with basketball. Worst of all, she catches the attention of the mean girl at school. Is there any way to save this school year from being an absolute disaster? Highly recommended for grades 4 & up.
abigailbat's review against another edition
4.0
Relatable and realistic, this is a fresh, funny debut from an author I'm definitely going to be watching.
The style and realistic protagonist reminded me of the Judy Blume books I so loved when I was a kid (think Blubber or Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, not Forever...). I think it would make a great readalike to Millicent Min, Girl Genius and Stanford Wong Flunks Big Time, both by Lisa Yee and I'd also try it on fans of Andrew Clements' realistic fiction.
More on the blog: http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2011/01/great-wall-of-lucy-wu.html
The style and realistic protagonist reminded me of the Judy Blume books I so loved when I was a kid (think Blubber or Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, not Forever...). I think it would make a great readalike to Millicent Min, Girl Genius and Stanford Wong Flunks Big Time, both by Lisa Yee and I'd also try it on fans of Andrew Clements' realistic fiction.
More on the blog: http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2011/01/great-wall-of-lucy-wu.html