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ekatayama's review
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
x_librarian's review
2.0
Kwok made excellent use of language to illustrate Kim's growing knowledge of English. However, while the writing was elegant, the storyline was awkward. Kim never came to life as a character, and the plotline seemed forced.
thandi's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kaykay38's review
4.0
Amazing story, but sad ending.
Kim's experience is heartbreaking. Kwok did an amazing job in portraying the stark reality. Probably because she herself lived through a similar reality.
I could really relate to the main character as a fellow Chinese American who came to America at age 9 and a half but for a much different reason.
The 12-year time skip is very disappointing and jolting. After all of Kim's hard work and dedication, she does not tell of her success and feeling in finally reaching her goal.
She did not elaborate upon college. That was very disappointing.
The saddest was the breakup.
This is a very inspiring book that has changed my outlook on life a bit. I just really wish there was more! Another 200 pages would have been wonderful. The story was just so inspiring and captivating!
Kim's experience is heartbreaking. Kwok did an amazing job in portraying the stark reality. Probably because she herself lived through a similar reality.
I could really relate to the main character as a fellow Chinese American who came to America at age 9 and a half but for a much different reason.
The 12-year time skip is very disappointing and jolting. After all of Kim's hard work and dedication, she does not tell of her success and feeling in finally reaching her goal.
She did not elaborate upon college. That was very disappointing.
The saddest was the breakup.
This is a very inspiring book that has changed my outlook on life a bit. I just really wish there was more! Another 200 pages would have been wonderful. The story was just so inspiring and captivating!
book_concierge's review
3.0
A semi-autobiographical novel of a young girl’s journey from Hong Kong to New York with her mother, and their pursuit of the American dream.
Eleven-year-old Ah-Kim Chang and her mother arrive in Brooklyn in late autumn from Hong Kong. They’ve been sponsored by her mother’s older sister, Aunt Paula, and her husband, Uncle Bob. The original promise is a job for Kimberly’s mother as a nanny to Paula’s two boys, Nelson and Godfrey, and living in the family’s house on Staten Island. But after a week Aunt Paula says that she really needs her sister to help out at the factory, and moves them to an inexpensive apartment in a building owned by her father-in-law. The apartment is lacking windows in the rear, is without any heat, and infested with roaches, mice and rats. Paula does, at least, give them an alternate address to use so that, she explains, Kimberly can attend a better school (but really so that Paula can control their mail and authorities won’t know they are living in an uninhabitable and condemned building). Ma’s job at the factory is piece work and she quickly discovers that the only way to make deadline is for Kim to come to the factory after school and help. Sometimes they do not finish until after midnight. But Kim and her mother pursue their dream – they know that the key is a good education for Kim and she puts all her energy into this.
I was completely caught up in this story at the outset. Kwok uses “phonetic” spellings to highlight Kim’s difficulties with immersion English and how she had to struggle to understand the most basic instructions from her teacher. This was effective at first, but I got tired of it over time. The same was true with her use of Chinese sayings and then “translating” them for the American reader. For Example “Aunt Paula … said, ‘Your hearts have no roots.’ She meant we were ungrateful.”
My main complaint is my disappointment with the last third of the book, especially the epilogue. I was quite engaged in the tale and was telling friends about it and then …. Well, it seems that Kwok ran out of story and the plot descended into a sort of romantic chick lit soap opera. The ending was rather abrupt, followed by an epilogue that one very serious flaw – the time span didn’t add up. Still, I think it was a good effort for a debut novel. I was pulled into the story and interested in the characters. I liked the way Kimberly matured and the strong relationship between mother and daughter.
Eleven-year-old Ah-Kim Chang and her mother arrive in Brooklyn in late autumn from Hong Kong. They’ve been sponsored by her mother’s older sister, Aunt Paula, and her husband, Uncle Bob. The original promise is a job for Kimberly’s mother as a nanny to Paula’s two boys, Nelson and Godfrey, and living in the family’s house on Staten Island. But after a week Aunt Paula says that she really needs her sister to help out at the factory, and moves them to an inexpensive apartment in a building owned by her father-in-law. The apartment is lacking windows in the rear, is without any heat, and infested with roaches, mice and rats. Paula does, at least, give them an alternate address to use so that, she explains, Kimberly can attend a better school (but really so that Paula can control their mail and authorities won’t know they are living in an uninhabitable and condemned building). Ma’s job at the factory is piece work and she quickly discovers that the only way to make deadline is for Kim to come to the factory after school and help. Sometimes they do not finish until after midnight. But Kim and her mother pursue their dream – they know that the key is a good education for Kim and she puts all her energy into this.
I was completely caught up in this story at the outset. Kwok uses “phonetic” spellings to highlight Kim’s difficulties with immersion English and how she had to struggle to understand the most basic instructions from her teacher. This was effective at first, but I got tired of it over time. The same was true with her use of Chinese sayings and then “translating” them for the American reader. For Example “Aunt Paula … said, ‘Your hearts have no roots.’ She meant we were ungrateful.”
My main complaint is my disappointment with the last third of the book, especially the epilogue. I was quite engaged in the tale and was telling friends about it and then …. Well, it seems that Kwok ran out of story and the plot descended into a sort of romantic chick lit soap opera. The ending was rather abrupt, followed by an epilogue that one very serious flaw – the time span didn’t add up. Still, I think it was a good effort for a debut novel. I was pulled into the story and interested in the characters. I liked the way Kimberly matured and the strong relationship between mother and daughter.
littlewitchreading's review
5.0
This book tackles some big topics - immigration to the u.s, different socioeconomic situations, language barriers, stereotypical male and female gender roles etc
This book is heartbreaking and despite it being a quick read it is one I'll be thinking about for a very long time. The main character Kimberly is incredibly intelligent but it all seems to get lost in translation for her which sets her back a great deal. Kimberly is forced to work with her mother in a sweatshop to make ends meet. As she slowly learns the language you see her circumstances at school begin to change which gives way for the rest of the events to unfold. If you are someone who is interested in a book about the immigrant experience written by someone who actually lived it - pick this one up.
This book is heartbreaking and despite it being a quick read it is one I'll be thinking about for a very long time. The main character Kimberly is incredibly intelligent but it all seems to get lost in translation for her which sets her back a great deal. Kimberly is forced to work with her mother in a sweatshop to make ends meet. As she slowly learns the language you see her circumstances at school begin to change which gives way for the rest of the events to unfold. If you are someone who is interested in a book about the immigrant experience written by someone who actually lived it - pick this one up.
alidottie's review
4.0
4 and a half stars
A really good eye-opening story about what it can be like to be an immigrant in a country where we tend to believe no one lives the way Ah-Kim and her mother did. It is very inspiring to read how she balanced so much in her life and instead of crumbling under the stress, she never gave up. It is a reminder to be grateful for the many blessing we take for granted and to put in perspective the things we think are hard!
A really good eye-opening story about what it can be like to be an immigrant in a country where we tend to believe no one lives the way Ah-Kim and her mother did. It is very inspiring to read how she balanced so much in her life and instead of crumbling under the stress, she never gave up. It is a reminder to be grateful for the many blessing we take for granted and to put in perspective the things we think are hard!
carladelgado's review against another edition
5.0
I bought this book on a whim and I’m so grateful I did. I just want to cry. And I wish I can hug Ah-Kim.