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retiredlibrarylady's review against another edition
4.0
Nice story about friends working on a project together, raising silkworms and using the silk thread for embroidery. Interesting family dynamics and racist concerns. Totally realistic and satisfying.
bookgirl4ever's review against another edition
3.0
Julia is Korean and not pleased about her heritage. When her mother suggests that Julia and her best friend Patrick raise silkworms to enter into the dual categories Animal Husbandry (raising animals) and Domestic Arts (using the silk to embroider), Julia is not happy. She tries to come up with excuses to not do the project but Patrick is so excited that Julia keeps her mouth shut. Soon Julia is enjoying the project just as much as Patrick, and comes to realize that her heritage isn't something to be ashamed off.
The only problem I had with the book (and this is a small thing) was the interview between Julia and Ms. Park (the author) between chapters. Park does tell the reader up front that these parts can be skipped without missing out on the story, which is true. Otherwise, kids who enjoy science will enjoy this book.
3rd-5th grades
The only problem I had with the book (and this is a small thing) was the interview between Julia and Ms. Park (the author) between chapters. Park does tell the reader up front that these parts can be skipped without missing out on the story, which is true. Otherwise, kids who enjoy science will enjoy this book.
3rd-5th grades
rvarghese's review against another edition
3.0
It was a good read that tackled some themes of racism, self-acceptance, honesty, etc. However, some parts were underdeveloped and unclear. A good read for 4th/5th perhaps, but it's probably better to give kids space to process unanswered questions.
readerpants's review against another edition
4.0
I'm taking away a star because I just couldn't handle the chapter interludes of the author having conversations with the main character. I skipped them, but they still bugged me.
However, I would have given this five stars if it hadn't been for those. The story was great, and Ms. Park's delicate, unresolved handling of racism was just stellar. The ideas about racism, cultural pluralism, and sustainable farming aren't new to the kids in my community, so it would reinforce discussion rather than introduce these topics. I think that's why it didn't seem to me as if it was too much all at once. I agree with other reviews about the age-appropriateness. This definitely seems like a great book for 3rd-6th graders rather than upper middle or YA readers.
As I was reading it, I imagined using it as a read-aloud with a classroom -- just the actual story -- and xeroxing the author/character conversations for the kids to read and discuss on their own.
sandraagee's review against another edition
3.0
I actually liked the premise of the book: The 4-H project that helps our central character span the gap between her Korean heritage and her American lifestyle. But the author comments between chapters were REALLY obnoxious. Some of the information about the writing process was interesting, but I thought that it distracted from the story too much. It might have been nicer to have a longer author comment at the end instead. It is, however, totally possible to just skip the author babbling, read the story, and then go back and read those bits if you're interested.
apetruce's review against another edition
2.0
Not bad...great informative science about the life cycle of the silk worm and neat interaction between the kids compromising to solve problems for a science fair project. The author's conversations with her main character in between chapters is weird, but some people might like it.
abigailbat's review against another edition
4.0
When Julia's best friend Patrick wants to do a project on silkworms for their 4-H type club, Julia resists, thinking the idea is "too Korean". Patrick convinces her to do the project, but then they run into some unexpected obstacles. Julia starts to look at the world in a new way when she realizes that many of life's problems don't have easy answers, including her mom's prejudice towards an African-American man who's supplying the kids with mulberry leaves for their projects. Inserted between each chapter are "conversations" between the author and the main character which reveal some of the "inside story" behind the writing of the book.
An interesting read about friendship and a myriad of other topics (race, agriculture, the environment).
An interesting read about friendship and a myriad of other topics (race, agriculture, the environment).
kingaphrodite's review against another edition
5.0
Some background on how I came upon this book. In elementary school we were typically allowed to borrow from the teacher's library full of books for us to read. While it encouraged reading, I have to applaud my teachers' willingness to use their money on us.
Anyway, I had read this book because it had a Korean girl on it and was written by a Korean author. Even when I was younger, I loved to read these kinds of books. That year though, my third grade teacher retired and, along with popiscles, let everyone in the class pick one book of their choosing. And I chose this book.
I read it countless times from that time and it's still someone in my house, seven years later. The style is very distinctive to Park's and it was interesting how she had chapters where the author herself talked to the character (amazing how I still remember that tbh).
Julia, the main character, struggles with identifying herself as Korean and wants to be a true American. She doesn't like eating kimchi and does not want to do the mulberry project. Patrick however, wants to try. A nostalgic book for me, and I recommend this book to all elementary schoolers.
Anyway, I had read this book because it had a Korean girl on it and was written by a Korean author. Even when I was younger, I loved to read these kinds of books. That year though, my third grade teacher retired and, along with popiscles, let everyone in the class pick one book of their choosing. And I chose this book.
I read it countless times from that time and it's still someone in my house, seven years later. The style is very distinctive to Park's and it was interesting how she had chapters where the author herself talked to the character (amazing how I still remember that tbh).
Julia, the main character, struggles with identifying herself as Korean and wants to be a true American. She doesn't like eating kimchi and does not want to do the mulberry project. Patrick however, wants to try. A nostalgic book for me, and I recommend this book to all elementary schoolers.
bethnellvaccaro's review against another edition
3.0
This is a solid kids' book but not too sure how much my students will like it.
travelinkiki's review against another edition
3.0
Cute story that touches on intersections of Korean and American cultures. Didn't really love the interludes with the author - found that a bit distracting.