Lin’s handling of the situation as related through a child’s perspective is graceful and sensitive. Pacy watches guiltily until she finds the courage to speak up for him. When a boy from China arrives at her school, her classmates tease him for being different. Change quickly becomes the hallmark of the protagonist’s year: her best friend moves to California, and Pacy must adjust to a new teacher and new relationships. As Pacy’s dad relates the story of the rat and the Chinese zodiac, her mother notes that the Year of the Rat is a time for making changes. Their gatherings always center on food and the delightful stories her parents tell of their lives in Taiwan and of coming to America. As the story opens, Pacy (who uses an American name, Grace, at school) is celebrating Chinese New Year with her family and friends. Gr 3–5- This compact sequel to The Year of the Dog (Little, Brown, 2006) charts an eventful year, based on the author’s own childhood.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |