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calistareads's review
3.0
Hmm, I got this for New Year's and this is about Chinese New Year's. I did learn a whole lot about Chinese New Year I found interesting and the title is misleading as I was looking for New Year's.
This book deals with some issues. Divorce and anger and a new culture. I think for a 7-9 year old, this could be a good book and for me it was ok. It is set in the '70s when divorce was not as normal. The time is Christmas break until the Chinese New Year at the end of January.
I gave it an extra star for the good information it gives about the culture of Chinese New Year's. I won't be reading more of this series.
This book deals with some issues. Divorce and anger and a new culture. I think for a 7-9 year old, this could be a good book and for me it was ok. It is set in the '70s when divorce was not as normal. The time is Christmas break until the Chinese New Year at the end of January.
I gave it an extra star for the good information it gives about the culture of Chinese New Year's. I won't be reading more of this series.
piburnjones's review
4.0
The great AG marathon continues. Reading this for the first time as an adult, inspired by the American Girls podcast.
For once, Christmas isn't saved, and there's no magic.
Julie and Molly could commiserate on Christmas disappointments... but Molly gets lucky (and is able to help the magic along a bit herself). Julie tries her best, but for her, this Christmas is kind of a bust.
But Christmas break does mean she gets to spend a week withDad Ivy. Mrs. Ling, in the tradition of great moms everywhere, sees a sad kid and includes her in her own family activities. Over the next several weeks (Google helpfully informs us that Lunar New Year 1976 began at the end of January), Julie helps the Lings as they clean and shop to prepare for the holiday, and the whole Albright family is invited to celebrate with the Lings at their family restaurant. Coming together outside their own family traditions is just the right thing to help the Albrights reconnect - so in the end, there's a little holiday magic after all.
The awkward thing here is that we're learning about Chinese and Chinese American traditions through the eyes of a white protagonist and a white author, so everything feels just a little bit like a museum exhibit - down to cramming both a fortune cookie factory and mah-jong into the Chinatown scene. Have we checked all the boxes? Chopsticks! Lion dancers! Bird's nest soup!
On the other hand, we're also seeing Julie learn about another culture first hand, something I'd want to encourage young readers to do, too, when they have the opportunity. I like Julie and Ivy as an example of friends whose families come from different cultures, and because they're established as long-time best friends, it's clear Julie isn't starting from scratch. She knows to take her shoes off at the door, and she knows what elements of Chinese culture are meaningful to Ivy. The difference is that this year, she's being invited to participate more fully.
It's not a perfect book, and it definitely could be used to further the argument that the 1970s series should have been Ivy with best friend Julie instead of the reverse. It definitely makes me look forward to Ivy's solo book. But it's not bad, and it advances the plot re: Albright family tensions. Let's see where we go next.
For once, Christmas isn't saved, and there's no magic.
Julie and Molly could commiserate on Christmas disappointments... but Molly gets lucky (and is able to help the magic along a bit herself). Julie tries her best, but for her, this Christmas is kind of a bust.
But Christmas break does mean she gets to spend a week with
The awkward thing here is that we're learning about Chinese and Chinese American traditions through the eyes of a white protagonist and a white author, so everything feels just a little bit like a museum exhibit - down to cramming both a fortune cookie factory and mah-jong into the Chinatown scene. Have we checked all the boxes? Chopsticks! Lion dancers! Bird's nest soup!
On the other hand, we're also seeing Julie learn about another culture first hand, something I'd want to encourage young readers to do, too, when they have the opportunity. I like Julie and Ivy as an example of friends whose families come from different cultures, and because they're established as long-time best friends, it's clear Julie isn't starting from scratch. She knows to take her shoes off at the door, and she knows what elements of Chinese culture are meaningful to Ivy. The difference is that this year, she's being invited to participate more fully.
It's not a perfect book, and it definitely could be used to further the argument that the 1970s series should have been Ivy with best friend Julie instead of the reverse. It definitely makes me look forward to Ivy's solo book. But it's not bad, and it advances the plot re: Albright family tensions. Let's see where we go next.
readingwithrebeccanicole's review
this one was fun, but I liked the previous two Julie stories more
karingforbooks's review
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Liked the focus on friendship and learning about a friends family and culture
theresidentbookworm's review
3.0
This book makes me want to celebrate Chinese New Years. Sounds fun. Recommended!
gracezenzen's review
5.0
I thought it was really cool because Ivy is SUCH. A. TRUE. FRIEND! She let Julie come to Chinese New Year, which lasts for 15 days. And Ivy was just such a true friend, I thought it was so cool. I learned that it's important to be a true friend because then you don't split up. What makes a true friend: being really nice, NOT BOSSY like some of my OTHER friends, listening, not being mean.
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