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votesforwomen's review
5.0
A lovely little story of a Chinese girl who moves to America in the 1940s and discovers her love for the Brooklyn Dodgers. One of my favorites growing up, and it still has a place of honor on my bookshelf. <333
vietmom's review
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-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
2.5
moreta1's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
justicepirate's review
3.0
I thought this book was pretty cute! I had always wanted to read this when I was a kid. I remember a girl reading it in third grade (back in 1992). I don't know why I hadn't read it back then, but either way, I read it!
In homeschooling my two sons, we are doing a study on China. Although this is not heavily based in China, and is mainly set in Brooklyn, NY, USA, It shows a bit of what family life in China during that time in the late 1940s might have been like and what some of her upbringing could be like as an immigrant.
Bandit, as she is known as in China, chooses an American name when she hears that she is going to be living in the US, where her father was looking for work. She had not seen him in so long and was excited, but sad that she would have to leave her family. This story shows some of the hardships she might face while going to school and while not even knowing the language at first. I don't know if a kid would learn English as quickly as she does, but it was still pretty interesting and a cute story.
In the process of the year of the Boar (1947, the year my dad was born), there is a rookie for the Brooklyn Dodgers, Jackie Robinson. A bit of the story revolves around him and the sport of Baseball.
My sons really had enjoyed this story too. I think the only unsettling part of it is that there is some name calling (though I think it was necessary) as well as two girls looking at an anatomy book (but saying they are naked people). That whole scene is just odd. It leads to interesting discussion, for certain.
In homeschooling my two sons, we are doing a study on China. Although this is not heavily based in China, and is mainly set in Brooklyn, NY, USA, It shows a bit of what family life in China during that time in the late 1940s might have been like and what some of her upbringing could be like as an immigrant.
Bandit, as she is known as in China, chooses an American name when she hears that she is going to be living in the US, where her father was looking for work. She had not seen him in so long and was excited, but sad that she would have to leave her family. This story shows some of the hardships she might face while going to school and while not even knowing the language at first. I don't know if a kid would learn English as quickly as she does, but it was still pretty interesting and a cute story.
In the process of the year of the Boar (1947, the year my dad was born), there is a rookie for the Brooklyn Dodgers, Jackie Robinson. A bit of the story revolves around him and the sport of Baseball.
My sons really had enjoyed this story too. I think the only unsettling part of it is that there is some name calling (though I think it was necessary) as well as two girls looking at an anatomy book (but saying they are naked people). That whole scene is just odd. It leads to interesting discussion, for certain.
amibunk's review
4.0
Excellent book. I read this book out loud to my children and they loved it. Me too.
balletbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
I'd been meaning to re-read In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson for a while - last read in 5th grade, so it's been a minute - but never quite got around to it. But I needed a book to fill my last task for the Book Riot Read Harder challenge and this was available on audio at the library :)
Re-reading as an adult, the narrative does feel heavy-handed at times, but almost 30 extra years of life experience brings out a lot of details I missed. Such as Shirley being just thrown into a fifth grade class despite the fact that she knows almost no English, how diverse her classroom is (hello, Brooklyn in the 1940s), and how some of the language the American kids use hints at larger issues of discrimination (such as telling Shirley to go back to the laundry or calling her Chop Suey). But Shirley's story feels so universal, being the new kid and wanting to belong so very, very badly. I'm glad it held up after so many years.
Re-reading as an adult, the narrative does feel heavy-handed at times, but almost 30 extra years of life experience brings out a lot of details I missed. Such as Shirley being just thrown into a fifth grade class despite the fact that she knows almost no English, how diverse her classroom is (hello, Brooklyn in the 1940s), and how some of the language the American kids use hints at larger issues of discrimination (such as telling Shirley to go back to the laundry or calling her Chop Suey). But Shirley's story feels so universal, being the new kid and wanting to belong so very, very badly. I'm glad it held up after so many years.
woomom's review
4.0
3.5/4. A sweet little book geared to younger readers about Shirley Temple Wong who recently came with her family from China. Her struggles to learn English and fit in to a new school and life. I liked it. Clean.
librariandest's review
3.0
Just so you know, Jackie Robinson may be in the title of this book, but it's not really about the desegregation of baseball. It's mostly about what it's like to move to a completely foreign country as a child. The main character of this book (whose name is hilarious, but I won't give it away here) is so cute and your heart just goes right out to her. I was especially sympathetic to the parts where she's laughed at because in my brief experience as a stranger in a strange land I was laughed at a whole lot (and I didn't take it as well as the little girl in this book).
This book is more light and charming than some other books that tackle the subject of the immigrant experience. It's pretty much free of violence and racism, focusing instead on the everyday challenges of learning a new language and making new friends while staying true to your roots.
This book is more light and charming than some other books that tackle the subject of the immigrant experience. It's pretty much free of violence and racism, focusing instead on the everyday challenges of learning a new language and making new friends while staying true to your roots.