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mallen8509's review against another edition
5.0
In the 1930s, Anna May Wong became the first Chinese American movie star.
Shining Star does a great job of sharing Anna May’s struggle with racism and stereotypes in Hollywood.
While on her way to becoming a star, Anna May played many roles that were stereotypical and portrayed Asians in a negative light. Eventually, her decision to take these roles bothered her.
So in 1936, Anna went to China to take a break from Hollywood. There, she studied and learned as much as she could about her heritage. While on that trip, Anna vowed never to take another role in a film that negatively showed the Chinese.
Shining Star is an excellent book, and if you haven’t heard of Anna May Wong, this book is a great place to start.
Shining Star does a great job of sharing Anna May’s struggle with racism and stereotypes in Hollywood.
While on her way to becoming a star, Anna May played many roles that were stereotypical and portrayed Asians in a negative light. Eventually, her decision to take these roles bothered her.
So in 1936, Anna went to China to take a break from Hollywood. There, she studied and learned as much as she could about her heritage. While on that trip, Anna vowed never to take another role in a film that negatively showed the Chinese.
Shining Star is an excellent book, and if you haven’t heard of Anna May Wong, this book is a great place to start.
crystal_reading's review against another edition
5.0
I really appreciate learning about people who have done amazing things. I am so happy to find biographies that shed light on people that I may otherwise have missed. Anna May was a persistent person and she was also a trailblazer. In her time, and unfortunately sometimes still today, Asian characters were usually played by non-Asians. She had to compromise early in career and take parts she didn't necessarily like, but later she stood her ground and only took positive roles. She fought for change. This would be an excellent book to introduce when talking about racism or white washing in the media. It is also simply a very interesting biography.
the_lobrarian's review against another edition
- Illustrations are watercolor and acrylic
beecheralyson's review against another edition
5.0
Just discovered this book and it is amazing. The story alone is wonderful. It tells about a young Chinese American girl who grows up and becomes an actress in the 1920's and all the discrimination and inequality that she faced and what she learned from it. The illustrations are also incredible. Though it is a picture book, I would recommend it more for 2nd to 4th grade.
readingthroughtheages's review against another edition
4.0
Great read about the Chinese-American film star, Anna May Wong. She fought hard to be portrayed in a positive light during a time when Americans were not always showing Chinese in the best manner.
panda_incognito's review against another edition
4.0
This nonfiction picture book has beautiful illustrations and a fascinating, well-told historical narrative about Anna May Wong, a pioneering Chinese-American actress. The book engages well with different challenges from throughout her life, and with the ethical dilemmas that she faced when accepting stereotyped roles. This is very thoughtful and engaging, and I would recommend it to kids and adults.
peachani's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism
earldizon's review
4.0
I decided to pick this up because I wanted to read about the women who'll be featured in quarters. Anna May Wong realized that sometimes the realization of a dream- in her case, being a movie star- is just the beginning as she fought to have more meaningful roles for herself and other Asian Americans.
maidmarianlib's review
5.0
Such lovely information about a pioneering actress brings to light many of the negatives of the early movie industry.