A review by brookerhi
Apple Pie Fourth of July by Janet S. Wong
3.0
Apple Pie 4th of July is one of those books that does well to remind us that America is a country of absolute diversity. It tells the tale of a young Chinese American girl and the frustration she experiences on the 4th of July holiday, which her family does not celebrate in the traditional way. The work takes us on the girl’s emotional journey from displeasure to astonishment to contentment, as she learns that there is no one way to be “American.”
The theme that “it is our differences that make us American”, is unveiled throughout the work as the girl goes from feeling that her family does not fit in to the American way, to learning that her assumptions about what is “American” were misconstrued. This book teaches the important lesson that America is one of the world’s most diverse countries and every American’s contributions help define the American way.
There is a build up of frustration throughout the book, as the young girl expresses her discontentment that her family is making Chinese food that no one will want to buy, on the 4th of July. However, the young girl is in for a surprise when the “Americans” begin streaming through her store door in search of Chinese food. The ending is satisfying, with the girl spending the evening with her parents and her neighbors, enjoying Chinese fireworks and American apple pie.
The writing style is choppy – it doesn’t flow from page to page or from sentence to sentence at that – instead it follows speech and thought patterns. However, the text does a good job of evoking emotion, as do the illustrations, which are phenomenal in conveying the young girl’s feelings. The use of large blocks of vibrant color makes a bold statement, which is in step with the message that the girl is trying to convey about her family and America. Strong lines and shapes, in addition to color, pull the reader in to the story.
The work is effective in conveying its central message – that there is no one way to be American – and can be used to teach about the diversity of our country. It has a place in story time, as the illustrations are bold, and the writing style would transfer well to a read-aloud. The book is an essential purchase for all libraries as it is a highly-acclaimed, award-winning book.
The theme that “it is our differences that make us American”, is unveiled throughout the work as the girl goes from feeling that her family does not fit in to the American way, to learning that her assumptions about what is “American” were misconstrued. This book teaches the important lesson that America is one of the world’s most diverse countries and every American’s contributions help define the American way.
There is a build up of frustration throughout the book, as the young girl expresses her discontentment that her family is making Chinese food that no one will want to buy, on the 4th of July. However, the young girl is in for a surprise when the “Americans” begin streaming through her store door in search of Chinese food. The ending is satisfying, with the girl spending the evening with her parents and her neighbors, enjoying Chinese fireworks and American apple pie.
The writing style is choppy – it doesn’t flow from page to page or from sentence to sentence at that – instead it follows speech and thought patterns. However, the text does a good job of evoking emotion, as do the illustrations, which are phenomenal in conveying the young girl’s feelings. The use of large blocks of vibrant color makes a bold statement, which is in step with the message that the girl is trying to convey about her family and America. Strong lines and shapes, in addition to color, pull the reader in to the story.
The work is effective in conveying its central message – that there is no one way to be American – and can be used to teach about the diversity of our country. It has a place in story time, as the illustrations are bold, and the writing style would transfer well to a read-aloud. The book is an essential purchase for all libraries as it is a highly-acclaimed, award-winning book.