blakehalsey's review against another edition
5.0
This is a great book about an Asian-American girl growing up in upstate New York. The author, Grace Lin, wrote it because she had never a read a book that included someone like her and her family when she was growing up and she wanted to write a novel like she would've wanted to read when she was younger. I think it was great idea and very well-executed. It was an entertaining, light-hearted, and educational read.
cpruskee's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
dlsmall's review against another edition
4.0
Solid, authentic (I mean it is fairly autobiographic, right?) book. And relatable to anyone who was a kid in school.
mjsteimle's review against another edition
4.0
This is a really sweet children's book based on a year in the author's life growing up as a Taiwanese-American in a mostly white neighborhood. In the author's note she explains how, as a child, she loved books about kids doing normal things, but as an Asian-American she rarely saw herself in those books, so this is the book she would have liked to have read as a child.
lphel's review against another edition
Loved learning more about Chinese/Taiwanese culture & at times it was laugh out loud funny. The author’s note reinforced that so many students need books that are mirrors of their lives and experiences.
hannahclairereads's review against another edition
4.0
This is another one of those books that I don't know why I liked so much. I think I read it because I had enjoyed Where the Mountain Meets the Moon (another one of her books) so much and wanted to read more by her. I read this book in a day. It was a really easy but so fun to read.
raquel_reading_stuff's review against another edition
1.0
This book is too realistic. It's boring. It has some potential, but only a little bit. If I had known what i was in for, or what. Wasn't in for, I wouldn't have read it at all!
jessicachung13's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
bethgiven's review against another edition
4.0
This was a nice, upbeat little chapter book for children about growing up Chinese-American. The author pointed out that there wasn't a lot of books from that perspective, and she's right -- this book teaches a bit about culture without being too difficult, foreign, or mature to relate to. In fact, Logan picked up this book before I did (I checked it out for myself since I enjoyed [b:Where the Mountain Meets the Moon|5983694|Where the Mountain Meets the Moon|Grace Lin|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1267915834s/5983694.jpg|6157354] ... but Logan got to it first and read it in an evening!) He reported that his favorite part was when Grace wrote the book for the contest.
I liked that part, too, and I also liked the Chinese traditions intermingled with American life: their Thanksgiving spread was especially fun to read about, as was the M&Ms on the Chinese tray. Probably the most touching scene for me, though, was when Grace met the "mean" Taiwanese-American girl who called her a "Twinkie" -- yellow on the outside but white on the inside. The "mean girl" hinted that her parents were the ones who had taught her to speak Chinese on the grounds that she remain "cultured." Made me want to ensure that, as a parent, I do my best to instill values in my kids without insinuating that other kids who don't share our values aren't looked down on. (How do you do that? It's tough.)
This is a quick read to share with your elementary school child. The themes are well thought-out and the characters are great; Grace is just as endearing as Ramona and I loved that the experiences were based on the author's own childhood.
I liked that part, too, and I also liked the Chinese traditions intermingled with American life: their Thanksgiving spread was especially fun to read about, as was the M&Ms on the Chinese tray. Probably the most touching scene for me, though, was when Grace met the "mean" Taiwanese-American girl who called her a "Twinkie" -- yellow on the outside but white on the inside. The "mean girl" hinted that her parents were the ones who had taught her to speak Chinese on the grounds that she remain "cultured." Made me want to ensure that, as a parent, I do my best to instill values in my kids without insinuating that other kids who don't share our values aren't looked down on. (How do you do that? It's tough.)
This is a quick read to share with your elementary school child. The themes are well thought-out and the characters are great; Grace is just as endearing as Ramona and I loved that the experiences were based on the author's own childhood.
startjpw23's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This book follows a Taiwanese American girl named Grace (Chinese name Pacy) through a year in her life. Her age isn't specified, but she appears to be a little younger than middle school age. The year starts at the beginning of the Chinese Year of the Dog and ends at the end of the Chinese Year of the Dog. Grace is initially the only Asian in her school in upstate New York. The story follows Grace as she tries to figure what she wants to be as she grows older, makes a new friend, deals with being too Asian for some and not Asian enough for others, spends time with her own family (Father, Mother, an older sister, and a younger sister), and spends time with her extended family. It includes interludes of stories about some of her relatives in their younger days. As the book is aimed at a middle grade audience, it may skew too young for some adults. I enjoyed it a lot. Grace is a very appealing character. There are two other books in the series. I will read them both at some point.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism