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radmusikitty's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book to see if it would make a good literature circle for my historical fiction unit in my class, and I was not expecting to like it nearly as much as I did. It has such a powerful message about the opportunities people have in America that weren't always possible, and I found it especially topical given the current political climate. I'm looking forward to seeing if it affects my students as much as it affected me.
bookworm_baggins's review against another edition
4.0
Read aloud with the kids. This book was so fun, so well told, a really great family read aloud. In this semi-autobiographical story of a Chinese girl who immigrates with her family to New York City in 1947 each chapter covers one month of the year. It shows how difficult immigration is, from not speaking the language, to learning new culture, to the joy of being American while still working to retain family and heritage. We love the baseball elements, and it was so fun to see Shirley grow over the course of the year through the lens of baseball.
emlickliter's review against another edition
5.0
In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson by Bette Bao Lord – While looking through a used bookstore, I kept finding familiar treasures. Shirley Temple Wong’s story was as uniquely American as her name! Happy Reading!
stephb413's review against another edition
3.0
A nice, pure, innocent read about a journey in finding oneself. Certainly a wide variety of content/discussion topics, not limited to immigration, New York, post WW 2 history, cross culture studies, etc. The major charm for me was that the read took me back to a more simple time with pure innocent characters. Worthwhile!
rlaferney's review against another edition
4.0
In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson is a children's novel by Bette Bao Lord and illustrator Marc Simont about a young girl named Shirley Temple Wong who leaves a secure life within her clan in China following World War II and settles in Brooklyn. This heartwarming story is about how Shirley attempts to learn how to fit in her new surrounds while also maintaining her heritage. It is also about how Jackie Robinson, who too overcame diverse obstacles, inspired Shirley to achieve her dreams.
csnow33's review against another edition
5.0
I have been craving a multicultural read (specifically with an asian protagonist) for forever! So happy I found this at a thrift store! This story deals with a multitude of important topics relevant to both children and adults. Wish I could have read it as a child, but I loved it all the same as an adult.
sherlock's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
teachinatardis's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book because my husband remembered it so fondly from when he was a kid. The last few pages were missing from the discarded library copy I brought home to read (occupational hazard) but from what I can gather I'm only two pages short so it's fine...lol. The story is impactful in the time period it represents, but is also relevant today. It also represents various cultures surprisingly sensitively. Great read for upper elementary!
raimalia's review against another edition
5.0
Started thinking about this book because I've had trouble getting myself to sit down and read lately. It was my favorite book as a kid. I remember my study period in middle school was about 20 minutes long and I'd see how many pages I could read in that time. The first day it was around 20, the second around 40, and I finished it by the third day at home.
This is the first book I've ever actually re-read. It's a really interesting experience. As I read, I would remember exactly what I was thinking as a kid over a decade ago. On top of that, I was surprised by how much of the book I actually remembered. Colorful illustrations of China paired with the nostalgia of a period I didn't live through really make a mark on a kid, I guess?
Anyways, I didn't really want to review this book. Just wanted to say that if you know a kid in grade/middle school, it's a good choice for them. Especially for the immigrant kids out there.
This is the first book I've ever actually re-read. It's a really interesting experience. As I read, I would remember exactly what I was thinking as a kid over a decade ago. On top of that, I was surprised by how much of the book I actually remembered. Colorful illustrations of China paired with the nostalgia of a period I didn't live through really make a mark on a kid, I guess?
Anyways, I didn't really want to review this book. Just wanted to say that if you know a kid in grade/middle school, it's a good choice for them. Especially for the immigrant kids out there.