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cris_bookreader's review
5.0
Assignment: Junior Book Log
Category: Literature Circle 1
Recommending Source: Dr. Kimmel
Genre: Poetry
Review: Taking her Korean, Chinese, and American perspectives into account, Wong compiles a collection of free verse poems that reflect her experience from childhood to adulthood. Her poetry showcases the different customs and traditions among each culture that is an integral part of her background. Despite focusing on these elements in her life, Wong is able to bridge the gap across all cultures with humor, an inside perspective, and fond memories from her own life.
Food was a recurring theme that connected Wong with her multiple backgrounds. It is always present in many of her poems. Wong is able to sprinkle this theme throughout her book and it weaves all the pieces together. For example, she may not be speaking about the same types of food such as her mother’s roasted grasshoppers as a summer snack or making almond cookies with her Chinese grandmother. But, she brings them all together with her many approaches to eating in her poem, “Manners.”
With the diversity we have in America, many people, not just Asians and Pacific Islanders, can somehow relate to Wong’s experiences or think about similar instances in which they may have shared special moments with family. Reading these poems, Wong gives us vivid imagery that appeals to the senses. One can imagine feeling the steam rise while eating beef bone soup. Careful details on how to cook rice properly with a rice cooker could be followed by anyone. Many of us will share a reaction to opening Grandmother’s folded napkin of poor girl’s pearls. Some will stare in shock and bewilderment, while others will think about the many times they come across fish eyes. Food tends to bring people together, especially when it comes to meal times and celebrating a special event. Every one can at least respond to that aspect within many of her stories.
Reading literature, and in this case poetry, from other Asian/Pacific Islanders like myself, this collection of poems was a refreshing read. I didn’t know what to expect when I first opened the book, but I was pleasantly surprised. Although my parents are both Filipino, I could relate to many of Janet Wong’s personal experiences. Her family’s expectations (especially with making good grades), customs we also follow (removal of shoes when entering a home), including rice as an important part of a meal, etc. were some of the same things I experienced growing up here in America. Like Wong, I know what it feels like to be the only minority among a crowd of people and I often get asked questions about where I’m from or my ethnicity is in question. Questions like those used to bug me, but now I can find humor from those situations when I tell people, “they do speak English well in New Orleans and Virginia Beach!” I do have to wonder if I tend to disappoint people when I tell them I was born (New Orleans, LA) and raised in America (Virginia Beach, VA) despite my exotic looks.
Category: Literature Circle 1
Recommending Source: Dr. Kimmel
Genre: Poetry
Review: Taking her Korean, Chinese, and American perspectives into account, Wong compiles a collection of free verse poems that reflect her experience from childhood to adulthood. Her poetry showcases the different customs and traditions among each culture that is an integral part of her background. Despite focusing on these elements in her life, Wong is able to bridge the gap across all cultures with humor, an inside perspective, and fond memories from her own life.
Food was a recurring theme that connected Wong with her multiple backgrounds. It is always present in many of her poems. Wong is able to sprinkle this theme throughout her book and it weaves all the pieces together. For example, she may not be speaking about the same types of food such as her mother’s roasted grasshoppers as a summer snack or making almond cookies with her Chinese grandmother. But, she brings them all together with her many approaches to eating in her poem, “Manners.”
With the diversity we have in America, many people, not just Asians and Pacific Islanders, can somehow relate to Wong’s experiences or think about similar instances in which they may have shared special moments with family. Reading these poems, Wong gives us vivid imagery that appeals to the senses. One can imagine feeling the steam rise while eating beef bone soup. Careful details on how to cook rice properly with a rice cooker could be followed by anyone. Many of us will share a reaction to opening Grandmother’s folded napkin of poor girl’s pearls. Some will stare in shock and bewilderment, while others will think about the many times they come across fish eyes. Food tends to bring people together, especially when it comes to meal times and celebrating a special event. Every one can at least respond to that aspect within many of her stories.
Reading literature, and in this case poetry, from other Asian/Pacific Islanders like myself, this collection of poems was a refreshing read. I didn’t know what to expect when I first opened the book, but I was pleasantly surprised. Although my parents are both Filipino, I could relate to many of Janet Wong’s personal experiences. Her family’s expectations (especially with making good grades), customs we also follow (removal of shoes when entering a home), including rice as an important part of a meal, etc. were some of the same things I experienced growing up here in America. Like Wong, I know what it feels like to be the only minority among a crowd of people and I often get asked questions about where I’m from or my ethnicity is in question. Questions like those used to bug me, but now I can find humor from those situations when I tell people, “they do speak English well in New Orleans and Virginia Beach!” I do have to wonder if I tend to disappoint people when I tell them I was born (New Orleans, LA) and raised in America (Virginia Beach, VA) despite my exotic looks.
hannah_dillard's review
4.0
Adorable book of short, family poetry from Korean perspective, Chinese perspective, and American perspective, all by one author!
ceah_reads's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
A charming exploration of identity. My full review is available here.
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