Reviews

Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park

readmoreyall's review

3.0

I really wish the author did a better job representing the Indigenous culture in the book.

carolined314's review

challenging emotional hopeful informative 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

I delayed reading this because of my issues with Laura Ingalls, and that was a mistake. This is a perfectly charming, wonderfully intuitive and loving depiction of a kid living a really hard life, surrounded by prejudice, and (mostly) undaunted. A book I think would be helpful for almost everybody to read, and also fun and easy to read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism

Moderate: Grief

Minor: Sexual assault

mjm85's review

medium-paced

3.0

I read this to the boys for their book competition at school. It led to some interesting conversations about racism but otherwise was dull. It would have been more interesting to learn about the Indians on the nearby reservation than a girl who sewed dresses. There was no conclusion or resolution of the girl and her similar ages peers. 

jaij7's review

5.0

Couldn't put it down and I love, love, love the author's note.

rachelwebber's review

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

anniejaneb's review

5.0

Fantastic book

anne_schauer's review

challenging emotional reflective fast-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? Yes

3.5

jwinchell's review

5.0

This is a critical success and a must read! Hanna and her father arrive in LaForge in the Dakotas in the 1800s and set about making a life for themselves- Hanna to school, Papa building and setting up their Dress Goods store. Because Hanna is half Chinese, she encounters a lot of ignorance and racism. Always level headed and channeling the positivity of her mama, who passed 3 years ago, Hanna keeps her head held high and her moral compass straight. She’s aware of the injustices that she encounters and can articulate them impressively. This book is an antidote to the limited and racist foundations of the Little House books. Park writes an impassioned explanation in her afterword.

me_alley's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Racial slurs, Racism, Death of parent, and Colonisation

mbrandmaier's review

4.0

For fans of Little House On the Prairie. Hanna dreams of attending school and becoming a dressmaker. As a half Chinese girl living in a small town in North Dakota in 1880, these aspirations are not so simple to achieve. Hanna encounters racism from other people in the town bordering from micro-aggressions to physical assault.