ikuo1000's review against another edition
5.0
A wonderful story and beautifully written. Though obviously a children's book, In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson does not use heavy-handed tactics to get points across. Bette Bao Lord describes Chinese customs and Shirley's reactions to American ways with subtlety and gravitas. The ending was perfect and poignant, and it moved me to tears.
Every Chinese-American should read this book to get a sense of where they and their ancestors came from. Every American should read this book to better understand the immigrant perspective. Shirley's path from frightened newcomer to proud American is as exciting as it is confusing as she learns to navigate and acclimate to a strange new world while also holding on to what makes her Chinese.
I am sure that my 5-year-old would enjoy the illustrations by Marc Simont, and I am also fairly confident that she would appreciate Shirley's story. There are a few incidents of childhood bullying that I might have to edit if I were to read this book aloud to her now, but in any case, I am really looking forward to sharing In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson with her, and with her younger brother when he's older.
Every Chinese-American should read this book to get a sense of where they and their ancestors came from. Every American should read this book to better understand the immigrant perspective. Shirley's path from frightened newcomer to proud American is as exciting as it is confusing as she learns to navigate and acclimate to a strange new world while also holding on to what makes her Chinese.
I am sure that my 5-year-old would enjoy the illustrations by Marc Simont, and I am also fairly confident that she would appreciate Shirley's story. There are a few incidents of childhood bullying that I might have to edit if I were to read this book aloud to her now, but in any case, I am really looking forward to sharing In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson with her, and with her younger brother when he's older.
faiththompson416's review against another edition
5.0
A lovely little story of a Chinese girl who moves to America in the 1940s and discovers her love for the Brooklyn Dodgers. One of my favorites growing up, and it still has a place of honor on my bookshelf. <333
seyfert's review against another edition
4.0
This is one of the few books I remember reading back in grade school. For whatever reason, I wanted to reread it as I enjoyed it back then. Happy to say it still holds up very well, and I enjoyed it possibly more now than as a kid. It's a great immigration story among other things. Still worth reading.
krismarley's review against another edition
4.0
The final chapter, December, is really touching.
When Jackie Robinson says, "Someday, Americans will elect a woman President." ... I thought yes! Shirley Wong Temple! Someday!
When Jackie Robinson says, "Someday, Americans will elect a woman President." ... I thought yes! Shirley Wong Temple! Someday!
bethnellvaccaro's review against another edition
4.0
My family and I listened to this audiobook in the car today on our long drive. There was just enough baseball to keep my nine year old enthralled. There were also several laugh out loud moments. It is an idealized version of the immigrant experience, but we can be aspirational.
lolaleviathan's review against another edition
4.0
Awww, Shirley Temple Wong! Yet another great girlcentric kids' book, which not only tells a delightful story, but teaches kids about things like immigration and race.
the_naptime_reader's review
4.0
This is another one of the books that I selected and read ahead of time to use this spring for literature circles that all have to do with immigration (the first was [b:Maggie's Door|288143|Maggie's Door|Patricia Reilly Giff|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1320548339s/288143.jpg|967161] which deals with a girl immigrating from Ireland). This is the story of a girl with many names: Sixth-Cousin, Bandit, Shirley Temple Wong, whose family immigrates from China to New York City in the 1940's. What I really like about the book is that it shows us both the before life in China, a little of the journey, and then a LOT of the adjustment to a new life in America(The other book that I read focused mostly on the journey). This is the part that I think gives students in my class a closer look into the experience of an "outsider" who wants to be on the "inside" at school, in the neighborhood, and as an American in general. The book is funny, sweet, but also doesn't shy away from showing some bullying and the sadder parts of being isolated in a new country. The book is heart-warming and touching. This is an older book, so there are some cultural elements that are perhaps a bit more outdated, but with some background building students can easily access the concepts. The writing itself is rich, fully of imagery and description.
kmdahlgran's review against another edition
3.0
This is another unlikely pick for us, but thanks to Sonlight, we found a new story to enjoy. The easy to read chapters chronicle a year in the life of Shirley Temple Wong as she learns to live in America.