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Aug 28, 2011

Suebee rated it:

NEW AT THE HILLSIDE LIBRARY: Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dream by Jenny Han, Pictures by Julia Kuo

Clara Lee is a Korean American girl who lives with her family (which includes Grandpa and Mom and Dad) in a town called Bramley, and Clara Lee looks forward to the town's yearly Apple Pie Festival. Clara Lee is in the third grade, and her sister Emmeline is six.

Rarely does an early chapter book come along that makes me excited to finish it! Well written and delightful, it would More...

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Aug 04, 2011

Allison rated it:

Clara Lee has a dream. She wants to become Little Miss Apple Pie this year, which means she would ride on a parade float in her town's Apple Blossom Festival, wearing a red dress and a beautiful tiara. When she discovers she's got some Good Luck, she just knows she should sign up to audition. But Georgina, another girl in her third grade class, suggests that perhaps Clara Lee isn't as American as Little Miss Apple Pie, since Clara Lee is Korean American. Maybe Good Luck can't help her win, after More...

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May 13, 2011

Bethany rated it:

Apparently, I just love Jenny Han. Everything she writes, I love.

It's always hard to explain what it is that makes intermediate novels good, because, well, here's the plot:

Clara Lee is in the third grade. She's Korean-American, and her grandfather interprets dreams. She has one day of incredible good luck after her , and she decides to sign up to be Little Miss Apple Pie, and she really really wants to be Little Miss Apple Pie in the apple festival, but she'll have to More...

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Apr 25, 2011

Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids rated it:

Clara Lee is a fun, cute, book with wonderful illustrations and a fantastic message about being proud of who you are. Clara Lee lives with her parents, younger sister and Grandpa. She has a great imagination, a best friend and dreams of being the Apple Pie Princess. Like many kids her age, Clara learns how to enjoy the good days she has, and how to hold your head high during the bad days, when kids make fun of you, when you fight with a friend and get in trouble at home. Luckily for Clara she ha More...

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Mar 09, 2011

Sarah-Greenbeanteenqueen rated it:

I'm a big fan of Jenny Han, especially her first novel, the fantastic tween novel Shug. So when I saw she was heading back to MG territory, I was thrilled!

Clara Lee is a younger tween read, but perfect for young tweens looking for an easy chapter book to read. Clara Lee's voice is fun and she surrounds herself with a memorable cast of characters. Her relationship with her Grandpa is sweet and I loved when Clara Lee would try to spell the words Grandpa was trying to read-too cute. Sh More...

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Feb 02, 2011

The Rusty Key rated it:

Reviewed by Rusty Key Writer: Jordan B. Nielsen

Recommended for: Girls, aged 8 and Up. Though surely appealing to everyone, this story will be particularly relatable to Korean-American, Asian-American, or any first-generation American kids with strong cultural backgrounds.

One Word Summary: Splendid.

Sweet without being syrupy, Jenny Han delivers a book for younger readers with the same relatable, honest, unadorned narrative voice found in her works for teens. With s More...

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Apr 19, 2011

Doret rated it:

8 yr old Clara Lee wants to be Little Miss Apple Pie for the Apple Blossom Festival. Clara Lee is scared about going for Little Miss Apple pie until her Grandpa interpret her dream, to mean good luck.

The next day everything goes right for Clara Lee. But too soon, good luck is gone. Clara Lee, gets in trouble at the dinner table and into a fight with a very good friend. Another girl who wants to be Little Miss Apple Pie tells Clara Lee she's not American enough to win.

Th More...

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Apr 01, 2011

Tasha rated it:

Clara Lee wants to be Little Miss Apple Pie in the upcoming Apple Blossom Festival parade. But it requires that she gives a speech in front of the entire school and that worries her. So when she has a dream that she thinks is a nightmare but her grandfather assures her is good luck, she discovers that she has an entire day of luck. She gets the backseat on the bus, she climbs all the way to the top of the rope in gym class, and someone secretly gives her a candy necklace. So she signs up to More...

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Aug 27, 2010

Inge rated it:

Such a cute, fun little read in the same vein as Judy Moody, Ivy and Bean, and Clementine. Clara Lee desperately wants to be Little Miss Apple Pie, sort of a queen of the local pageant that is based on a speech (not on looks/beauty). In her quest to become Little Miss Apple Pie, Clara struggles with her pain in the hoo hoo little sister Emmeline, her fear of not being American enough (Clara is Korean American), bad dreams (luckily her grandfather is a "world reknowned" dream interprete More...

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Jun 27, 2010

Mandy rated it:

**I read an ARC of this book where much of the art was not finalized**

This book was short and sweet, about a Korean- American girl named Clara Lee who has dreams of being on the Apple Blossom Festival. She has a dream that her grandfather interprets to mean good luck, which leads her to keeping track of all the good things that happen to her. As the list grows, she gets the courage to sign up for the speech contest that determines who will ride on the float. But as her luck seems More...

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Jul 17, 2011

Jenn rated it:

2 1/2. It's cute enough, I guess, but there are an awful lot of cute/spunky/precocious/whatevs early-chapter girl books and, compared to the best of them, Clara Lee didn't stack up. At times, it felt very lessony - like, "Okay, kids! Now we're going to learn about being a good friend!" - and a great part of the voice felt inauthentic. More like what grown-ups think kids this age sound like, as opposed to what they actually sound like.

I did super like Clara Lee's interactio More...

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Jan 27, 2011

Heather rated it:

Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dream is a cute, fun read for 2nd and 3rd graders with whimsical pencil sketches, a dazzling cover complete with glitter letters, and a story of self-confidence. Clara Lee is a liitle girl who has bad dreams. Her grandfather says her dreams will bring her good luck. And they do! A candy necklace, ginger snaps, and her favorite seat on the bus. But when life takes a terrible turn including an unwanted Valentine and teasing from her friends she has to find the courage i More...

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Apr 09, 2011

Shazzer rated it:

As posted on Outside of a Dog:

As soon as I heard that Jenny Han was releasing a book for early middle grade readers, I did a little dance of joy at my desk. A new Jenny Han book is always going to be a reason to celebrate, but a new Jenny Han book branching out into yet another age group? Super celebration time. Han’s Shug is one of my favorite coming of age books for older middle grade readers, and her YA Summer series (The Summer I Turned Pretty, It’s Not Summer Without You, and More...

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May 31, 2011

Leslie rated it:

"Jenny Han’s Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dream is absolutely delightful. It is a sweet little chapter book for the 8-10 crowd with a sassy protagonist who will easily charm any reader."

[...]

"Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dream is certain to be a pleasure for any reader looking for a non-white protagonist, and/or a multi-cultural home. Clara Lee is a second generation Korean American. Korean Americans will likely find familiarity, and those unfamiliar with Korean More...

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Feb 07, 2011

Terry added it

This is a lovely story. Clara Lee is as girl-next-door as they come, and the author does a beautiful job illustrating how multicultural families are American. The writing is crisp, descriptive, and totally accessible to transitional readers. Clara uses words like "un-cheer-up-able" which is as kid-friendly as it gets.

To read our full website review (complete with the kids' opinions!) go to The Reading Tub®.

To read our Blog Review: Go to our Scrub-a-Dub-Tub Book More...

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Jan 23, 2011

Reader rated it:

Cute enough and we certainly don't have enough early chapter books with multicultural characters in them, that's true. Clara Lee is Korean-American and she is fairly determined to be her small town's next Little Miss Apple Pie. Unfortunately, things don't always turn out smoothly for Clara. Between fights with friends and misunderstandings, Clara still is able to get enough lucky days to convince her that maybe she has a shot at her dream. Han has written a sweet story, though it's just that More...

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Aug 24, 2011

Shirley added it

Clara Lee is a third grader who dreams of becoming Little Miss Apple Pie in her town. She is best friends with Shayna and Max, and she has a little sister who annoys her at times. One night, she has a bad dream about her grandfather, but when she tells him about the dream, he says that it actually means Good Luck in Korean culture! Clara Lee's next few days are filled with good luck, such as being able to climb all the way to the top of the rope in PE, finding treats in her desk, and feeling bra More...

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Sep 30, 2011

Olivia rated it:

This book is about a girl named Clara who wants to try out for little Miss Apple Pie and she dosn't think she can do it at the same time. She has a bad dream and her Grandfather tellos her it is good luck . Spo while all these good things are happening to her, bad things are happening to. Clara Lee disapionts her friends and her family. While she is doing this she dosn't have enough time to prepare for Little Miss Apple Pie. CAn she do it.Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dream More...

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Jun 26, 2011

Ms. Jin rated it:

I hated this book. It really undermines the intelligence of young readers. Also it just feels like one of those books that's written just for the purpose of writing a "multicultural book".
"I'm Clara Lee, American as apple pie."
I thought Jenny Han did a poor job writing what she(or Clara) possibly is implying by that statement.

*All the kids at school call me Clara Lee and not just Clara because it just sounds better like peanut better and jelly.
This More...

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Jan 27, 2011

Inspired Kathy rated it:

Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dreams is a great book for girls in 2nd - 4th grade. A wonderful early chapter book with great illustrations. I enjoyed the multi-cultural element in this book. Clara is an American born Korean. Being able to learn a little more about Korean culture such as foods and dream interpretation brought a unique twist to this book. Clara shows us what it means to be as American as apple pie. If you enjoy Junie B Jones, Judy Moody & Clementine give Clara Lee and the Appl More...

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Jun 16, 2011

Madigan rated it:

I loved this sweet story about a third-grade Korean-American girl. Clara Lee goes by her first and last name because, "It just sounds better that way. Like peanut butter and jelly, like trick-or-treat, or fairy and princess, those words just go together. Just like me, Clara Lee." Clara Lee has a lot of personality, and this realistic fiction novel offers a fun look at her family, school and friends. The illustrations keep the story moving along perfectly, and bridge the gap for kids wh More...

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May 07, 2011

Jess rated it:

This is one of those stories that's great for kids who can read chapter books, but who don't want something too long and still enjoy the support of illustrations (which are sweet and straightforward). Although Clara Lee is a third-grader, the content makes it perfect for younger kids as well, those kids who are strong readers early on and enjoy realistic stories. Clara Lee has a great relationship with her grandfather and a not-so-great one with her younger sister, and she starts tracking her More...

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Jun 14, 2010

Abby rated it:

Korean-American third-grader Clara Lee dreams of being Little Miss Apple Pie and riding on a float at the Apple Blossom Festival, but in order to be chosen, she has to make a speech in front of the whole school and she doesn't have the nerve. When Clara Lee has a good-luck dream about her grandpa, she knows that good luck will follow her in whatever she does and she signs up for the Little Miss Apple Pie competition. But will her good luck last?

Clara Lee is a likable character and t More...

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Jan 12, 2012

Zachary rated it:

Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dream, have you ever felt like you didn't have what it takes to be Little Miss Apple Pie? Good luck visits Clara Lee for a whole day. When her luck runs out, she upsets her friends and family. My favorite part is when Clara Lee receives the news about Little Miss Apple Pie. If you like a juicy book, you will love this book.

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May 20, 2011

Ai-ling rated it:

This is a real accomplishment! Clara Lee, her little sis Emmeline, and her Grandpa are all well developed characters. They have their foibles as well as their good points. They are Korean and American but not preachy about the issues they face. In fact, they are funny and touching. The cross-hatched, pen-and-ink drawings add to the light tone. Grades 2-4.

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Feb 18, 2011

Heather rated it:

A cute first chapter book about a Korean American girl who wants to be Little Miss Apple Pie in the town festival. There was nothing out and out amazing here, but it's so nice to see a non-white main character, with good friends, and a strong, intact family to deals with issues that all young girls can relate to.

Recommened for 2nd and 3rd grade.

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Jul 19, 2010

Jo rated it:

One of the things I look for in media (books, movies, etc) for kids is that it has some appeal for the adults that share it with them. Clara Lee is a cute story with plenty of subtle humor that adults can appreciate as well. I love that there is an undercurrent of who Clara Lee is racially (I'm Korean American too!) but that it doesn't overpower the story.

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Mar 28, 2011

Julie rated it:

As a Korean American, this was an absolute delight to read, and I especially appreciated all the peeks into Clara Lee's family life, one that is filled with healthy, balanced doses love, support, and culture.

Cleverly written, engaging prose, and gorgeous illustrations. I look forward to introducing Clara Lee and her world to my own children.

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Nov 09, 2011

DeAnn rated it:

Clara Lee is a Korean American third grader, who has a little sister Emmeline, A best friend Shayna, and dreams of being little Miss Apple Pie in her town's Annual apple blossom festival parade.

She has a dream one night that her grandpa says means good luck, and all sorts of good luck comes her way, so she decides to try out for little Miss Apple Pie.

But then her luck seems to change as she gets into a bad fight with her good friend Max.

Good intergeneratio More...

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Apr 25, 2011

Katie rated it:

Wahoo! Finally finished this galley that I've had sitting around my apartment forever! (Also have a stack of other galleys sitting around in the same spot, but will try not to think of those right now...). Cute story--cover says readers of Clementine and Junie B. Jones will like this, and I would agree. The fact that the main character is Korean American is what makes this unique, and I liked that the author took that fact on and brought it to the front of the story. Clara Lee is trying out for More...

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