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Golden Mountain Chronicles #7
Child of the Owl
"I can't remember when Barney's story began but all my life I'd heard this story about how a little girl and her father were going to hit it big one of these days....I knew more about race horses than I knew about myself -- I mean myself as a Chinese." Race horses aren't any help when Barney lands in the hospital and Casey is sent to live with Paw-Paw -- her maternal grandmother-in San Francisco's Chinatown. She's not prepared for the Chinese school, the crowds, the noise, the small room she has to share with Paw-Paw -- and she's not prepared for missing Barney. But Paw-Paw tells Casey about Jeanie, the mother Casey never knew, about her true Chinese name, and about the story of the family's owl charm. This shows Casey that being a child of the owl means that sometimes, like this ancestral owl spirit, you can feel like a stranger, trapped in the wrong place, in the wrong time, even in the wrong body. And as Casey begins to understand the intricacies of Chinatown and the people who become her friends, she realizes that this, Paw-Paw's home, Jeanie and Barney's home, is her home too. Laurence Yep's fine novel illuminates a rich world of truth, humor, and discovery. ‘San Francisco’s Chinatown of the early ’60s is the testing ground for [12-year-old] Casey who, in finding her roots, forfeits her faith in her compulsive gambler father.’ —SLJ. ‘Combines the chiseled fantasy of Dragonwings with the anxiety of growing up poor and nonwhite.’ —K. Notable Children's Books of 1977 (ALA)
1977 Boston Globe–Horn Book Award for Fiction
1978 Fanfare Honor List (The Horn Book)
Best Books of 1977 (SLJ)
1978 Jane Addams Children's Book Award
Children's Books of 1977 (Library of Congress)
1977 Boston Globe–Horn Book Award for Fiction
1978 Fanfare Honor List (The Horn Book)
Best Books of 1977 (SLJ)
1978 Jane Addams Children's Book Award
Children's Books of 1977 (Library of Congress)
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1977
18 people are currently reading
521 people want to read
About the author
Laurence Yep
120 books295 followersBorn June 14, 1948 in San Francisco, California, Yep was the son of Thomas Gim Yep and Franche Lee Yep. Franche Lee, her family's youngest child, was born in Ohio and raised in West Virginia where her family owned a Chinese laundry. Yep's father, Thomas, was born in China and came to America at the age of ten where he lived, not in Chinatown, but with an Irish friend in a white neighborhood. After troubling times during the Depression, he was able to open a grocery store in an African-American neighborhood. Growing up in San Francisco, Yep felt alienated. He was in his own words his neighborhood's "all-purpose Asian" and did not feel he had a culture of his own. Joanne Ryder, a children's book author, and Yep met and became friends during college while she was his editor. They later married and now live in San Francisco.
Although not living in Chinatown, Yep commuted to a parochial bilingual school there. Other students at the school, according to Yep, labeled him a "dumbbell Chinese" because he spoke only English. During high school he faced the white American culture for the first time. However, it was while attending high school that he started writing for a science fiction magazine, being paid one cent a word for his efforts. After two years at Marquette University, Yep transferred to the University of California at Santa Cruz where he graduated in 1970 with a B.A. He continued on to earn a Ph.D. in English from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1975. Today as well as writing, he has taught writing and Asian American Studies at the University of California, Berkeley and Santa Barbara.
Although not living in Chinatown, Yep commuted to a parochial bilingual school there. Other students at the school, according to Yep, labeled him a "dumbbell Chinese" because he spoke only English. During high school he faced the white American culture for the first time. However, it was while attending high school that he started writing for a science fiction magazine, being paid one cent a word for his efforts. After two years at Marquette University, Yep transferred to the University of California at Santa Cruz where he graduated in 1970 with a B.A. He continued on to earn a Ph.D. in English from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1975. Today as well as writing, he has taught writing and Asian American Studies at the University of California, Berkeley and Santa Barbara.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
December 6, 2012
This unusual coming of age story is set in San Francisco in 1965 and follows Casey as she moves from living with her wandering and gambling father to her grandmother's apartment in Chinatown. One of the facets of this story that takes it beyond the normal tale of discovering one's own ethnic identity is how Casey doesn't see herself as Chinese until she first enters Chinatown and realizes that she has the same skin and eyes as those around her. At the heart of this book is a fairy tale about Owls which masterfully captures the strange place that immigrants and their families occupy as they try to hold onto their own culture but also absorb a new. An interesting feature of Casey's story is the way she refers to both of her parents, even her dead mother, by their first names. This connects to how she is learning about having roots and a stable family life, along with learning about her culture.
This book is classified young adult and it leans towards the younger end of this spectrum in terms of the vocabulary used though the themes are older. Casey's father is an itinerant gambler and the violence that accompanies that life is presented honestly along with the poverty of the era. This is a book that could be the beginning of many discussions about different sorts of family life, ethnic identity and also personal identity.
This book is classified young adult and it leans towards the younger end of this spectrum in terms of the vocabulary used though the themes are older. Casey's father is an itinerant gambler and the violence that accompanies that life is presented honestly along with the poverty of the era. This is a book that could be the beginning of many discussions about different sorts of family life, ethnic identity and also personal identity.
July 17, 2008
Laurence Yep has been a favorite author of mine since my teens. I have been reading his books when I've had the opportunity. My local library has a huge collection of his novels and I've decided to work my way through them as time permits. Child of the Owl (1977) is my first revisiting of Yep in about a decade and I'm currently reading Sea Glass (1979).
Child of the Owl is told in the first person perspective of a 12 year old girl named Casey. She's a native born Chinese American but doesn't even think of herself in terms of her Chinese heritage. Like many first generation native born Americans, she only speaks English. Just as Yep describes in his autobiography The Lost Garden (1996), Casey is "too American to fit into Chinatown, and too Chinese to fit in anywhere else." In fact, that turmoil of balancing cultures is a recurrent theme in Yep's books.
The book, though written in the 1970s, takes place in 1965. When Casey is forced to move in with her Grandmother, Paw-Paw, in Chinatown (San Francisco) we get to learn about Chinese culture as Casey does. All of Yep's descriptions of San Francisco have a delicate balance of Western and Chinese details. The Beatles, old time radio shows, and hamburgers coincide with Chinese opera, Kung fu movies and dim sum.
Child of the Owl is told in the first person perspective of a 12 year old girl named Casey. She's a native born Chinese American but doesn't even think of herself in terms of her Chinese heritage. Like many first generation native born Americans, she only speaks English. Just as Yep describes in his autobiography The Lost Garden (1996), Casey is "too American to fit into Chinatown, and too Chinese to fit in anywhere else." In fact, that turmoil of balancing cultures is a recurrent theme in Yep's books.
The book, though written in the 1970s, takes place in 1965. When Casey is forced to move in with her Grandmother, Paw-Paw, in Chinatown (San Francisco) we get to learn about Chinese culture as Casey does. All of Yep's descriptions of San Francisco have a delicate balance of Western and Chinese details. The Beatles, old time radio shows, and hamburgers coincide with Chinese opera, Kung fu movies and dim sum.
February 7, 2020
This hit home.
May 13, 2017
My favorite Laurence Yep story is DRAGONWINGS. If you ever get a chance, read that one. I found this CHILD OF THE OWL book sitting in a classroom I was working in, so I decided to give it a go. I rate CHILD OF THE OWL a 4 because I wouldn't re-read it again like I would DRAGONWINGS.
CHILD OF THE OWL is about a 12 year old Chinese American who knows nothing of her ancestry and doesn't even know how to speak Chinese. Her father is a gambler and never has a cent to his name to be able to take care of his daughter. He sends his daughter Casey to live with her grandma known as "Paw Paw". Through the grandmother, Casey learns about her past, her heritage and in the end finds herself.
I felt it was a great story but I couldn't help but think it was written for a 18 year old Casey rather than a 12 year old. A 12 year old who understands deep concepts and knows how to turn the tables on others intellectually just doesn't fit the profile of a 12 year old mind. Heck, even I didn't have that kind of mind set when I was 12 years old... so I felt the author wrote the 12 year old as too much of an adult. It doesn't quite match what a 12 year old might think or even say in talking with others. I just couldn't buy the story because I felt the conversations didn't fit for the character.
Other than that, it was a great story.
CHILD OF THE OWL is about a 12 year old Chinese American who knows nothing of her ancestry and doesn't even know how to speak Chinese. Her father is a gambler and never has a cent to his name to be able to take care of his daughter. He sends his daughter Casey to live with her grandma known as "Paw Paw". Through the grandmother, Casey learns about her past, her heritage and in the end finds herself.
I felt it was a great story but I couldn't help but think it was written for a 18 year old Casey rather than a 12 year old. A 12 year old who understands deep concepts and knows how to turn the tables on others intellectually just doesn't fit the profile of a 12 year old mind. Heck, even I didn't have that kind of mind set when I was 12 years old... so I felt the author wrote the 12 year old as too much of an adult. It doesn't quite match what a 12 year old might think or even say in talking with others. I just couldn't buy the story because I felt the conversations didn't fit for the character.
Other than that, it was a great story.
May 2, 2018
target audience : Diversity and Inclusion Book 12-14yrs
summary – Casey a young girl lives with her Father. He has a gambling addiction and Casey loves him dearly, even though he frequently disappoints. She is only 12 years old, when her father is hospitalized. She has to move in with her grandmother and eventually develops a long needed sense of belonging. Casey's grandmother tells her a story that brings to light many truths for Casey. Casey sees herself as an Owl, and relates many of the difficulties and disappointments she encounters along the way to the Owl spirit. Her father really disappoints her, and does harm to the family because of his weakness due to his gambling addiction. Eventually her grandmother shows her that forgiveness is the best way to resolve her anger with her father. Casey is a smart, clever and wise girl. She makes friends and feel the comfort of a loving family in Chinatown with her grandmother, Ah Paw.
strengths/weaknesses - I love this book, the setting and descriptive language is tangible. I felt like I was in San Francisco Chinatown in the early 60'. I remember seeing the hanging duck in the delecitessines and the pajama clad elderly people doing Tai Chi in the park. This is a rich and well planned story. The characters are fully developed and you can see real people in the behaviors and activities of these people. The Pachinko, grandmother's friends nephew is a rich and interesting portale of the zoot suit era chinese american. It is a pleasure to read, and I really appreciated Casey's narration of her life.
personal critique - Yes, I would definitely recommend this book. It explores the cultural environment in the Chinese community, and does not spare the reader the history of abuse and discrimination heaped upon the Chinese immigrants, with a splash of historical perspective. He is a chance to see the world of immigrants and their children from the inside. The end of the book has a discussion by Laurence Yep, and his perspective on the book and its rich and interesting characters. There is even room in the last chapter to think of a sequel and the next step in Casey's life.
illustrations - There is only cover art, this is a chapter book middle school novel.
notable awards - This book is an American Library Association Notable Children's Book and was
reviewed by School Library Journal. Laurence Yep is a popular writer of children's fiction, and has received many awards for his contribution to children's literature. Other books by Yep have won Newbery Honors, and numerous recommendations.
summary – Casey a young girl lives with her Father. He has a gambling addiction and Casey loves him dearly, even though he frequently disappoints. She is only 12 years old, when her father is hospitalized. She has to move in with her grandmother and eventually develops a long needed sense of belonging. Casey's grandmother tells her a story that brings to light many truths for Casey. Casey sees herself as an Owl, and relates many of the difficulties and disappointments she encounters along the way to the Owl spirit. Her father really disappoints her, and does harm to the family because of his weakness due to his gambling addiction. Eventually her grandmother shows her that forgiveness is the best way to resolve her anger with her father. Casey is a smart, clever and wise girl. She makes friends and feel the comfort of a loving family in Chinatown with her grandmother, Ah Paw.
strengths/weaknesses - I love this book, the setting and descriptive language is tangible. I felt like I was in San Francisco Chinatown in the early 60'. I remember seeing the hanging duck in the delecitessines and the pajama clad elderly people doing Tai Chi in the park. This is a rich and well planned story. The characters are fully developed and you can see real people in the behaviors and activities of these people. The Pachinko, grandmother's friends nephew is a rich and interesting portale of the zoot suit era chinese american. It is a pleasure to read, and I really appreciated Casey's narration of her life.
personal critique - Yes, I would definitely recommend this book. It explores the cultural environment in the Chinese community, and does not spare the reader the history of abuse and discrimination heaped upon the Chinese immigrants, with a splash of historical perspective. He is a chance to see the world of immigrants and their children from the inside. The end of the book has a discussion by Laurence Yep, and his perspective on the book and its rich and interesting characters. There is even room in the last chapter to think of a sequel and the next step in Casey's life.
illustrations - There is only cover art, this is a chapter book middle school novel.
notable awards - This book is an American Library Association Notable Children's Book and was
reviewed by School Library Journal. Laurence Yep is a popular writer of children's fiction, and has received many awards for his contribution to children's literature. Other books by Yep have won Newbery Honors, and numerous recommendations.
August 12, 2016
In the beginning, it took me a little while to get into the story, a little bit of disgust at how Barney, Casey's father could be gambling his life away. In the beginning, Casey felt so discombobulated my heart just went out to her. When she started staying with Paw-Paw in Chinatown, I really felt a sigh of relief and genuinely happy for her as I felt her becoming more centered and connecting with Paw-Paw and her great love, strength and wisdom. In many ways, we all can see bits of ourselves in the lives reflected in the Child of the Owl. Laurence Yep does such a brilliant job telling the owl story, it just encircled you by surprise somewhere in the middle of the novel and then it's theme pervades throughout the remainder of the book. The symbolism is so beautiful yet so simply stated that way. The story of the owl spirit actually grounds Casey and her search for who tried to steal Paw-Paw's owl charm. As someone with Chinese American roots, this book also rang true with me when I reflect on how I have come to terms with my cultural identity. I sincerely recommend this book and believe it is a great example of historical fiction for children looking for a great read!
7/8/14 SF
7/8/14 SF
September 13, 2012
I didn't love the writing as well as the others in this series because it was a little grittier in nature with some mild language. I'm sure it was to match the subject matter which concerns a compulsive gambler's daughter thrust into her traditional grandmother's care in Chinatown and who then has to learn her Chinese heritage. That said, the story was very nice with the pull between cultures and how Casey learns to be Chinese and American at the same time and to be at peace with the dichotomy. She also learns about loving those who disappoint her and also loving those who have rough exteriors but turn out to have hearts of gold. Very touching storyline.
January 2, 2018
This book is about a girl who faces a lot of challenges, her dad ends up in a hospital and she just felt like she didn't fit in the crowd of Chinatown where she goes to live for a while with her grandmother, Paw-paw. The plot was overall really interesting and great!
May 27, 2008
A young adult book with themes anyone can relate to: being cut off from one's culture, assimilation into a broader group, not really understaning the other generation - how they think, what they do.
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December 16, 2013Looks BORING and the description is too. Is it as good as Anne of green gables. I DO NOT think so.
May 14, 2017
Loved this story when I was a kid!
July 12, 2008
this book simply tells us about reality, and Chinatown..
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December 11, 2019 This book is about a girl who is living with her father. Then the father gets hospitalized, so the father sends Casey (the daughter) to go live with the fathers brother. Then that did not go as planned because she was not used to living a rich life, so the brother sent her to live with her grandma and that worked pretty well. She started at her new school but everyone was mean and rude to her because she wasn't Chinese and didn't speak Chinese. The main character of this book is Casey, the setting is in china town and her grandmothers house. The time period that this was taking place in is 1965. One of the main conflicts is staying in one place with someone and the bullies at school. The theme is just because someone is different form others doesn't mean you or someone else should be rude or mean to the about it. My opinion on this book is that I liked it, but I wish it was a little bit shorter and there was more action and heart break in it.
April 23, 2025
Casey is the daughter of Barney, a single dad who lives a vagabond life to pay off his gambling debts. She comes to live with her grandma while her dad is away and, when living with her Chinese grandma in Chinatown, comes to wrestle with her Chinese heritage and her father's inability to provide a stable life for her.
I have been reading Alice's assigned ELA books since she started having class-assigned books in 4th grade. My friend Christina does this with her daughter Summer, and I like the practice so I have been doing it, too. I guess I don't really care for both of the 7th grade books she was assigned. It was a hard book for me to source this one and I had to go to Glendale's library to pick it up. By the time I got my hands on it, Alice had nearly finished it. It was a good thing she had been reading for longer because I found this book hard to follow, but it was cool to ask her about the characters and why they were doing the things that they were doing.
I have been reading Alice's assigned ELA books since she started having class-assigned books in 4th grade. My friend Christina does this with her daughter Summer, and I like the practice so I have been doing it, too. I guess I don't really care for both of the 7th grade books she was assigned. It was a hard book for me to source this one and I had to go to Glendale's library to pick it up. By the time I got my hands on it, Alice had nearly finished it. It was a good thing she had been reading for longer because I found this book hard to follow, but it was cool to ask her about the characters and why they were doing the things that they were doing.
December 11, 2019
In the book "Child Of The Owl" the main character's name is Casey. The novel started off by having Casey's dad (who is Barney), hospitalized and unable to take care of Casey, so Barney sends her to some other relatives. There she meets Paw Paw to take care of her. Casey is now living in Chinatown with Paw Paw. Casey's main problem is that she only speaks english and not chinese. This makes Casey feel like a outsider since she doesn't have the same traditions as people in Chinatown do. Paw Paw makes it her mission to teach Casey the other half of her which is chinese. The whole point of this novel in my opinion is, when times gets difficult don't always assume the bad is gonna repeat itself. Always hope for a positive in every situation. I personally enjoyed this book because it has a amazing message that a lot of people could use in everyday life.
June 21, 2021
This is a really enjoyable coming-of-age story. I really enjoyed understanding Casey's American upbringing as she goes to stay with her grandmother and find meaning in her Chinese heritage. Saying that, partially because this book is written for a younger audience, I never felt the book examined the differences of Chinese and American cultures in deep ways. The biggest differences seemed to be that Chinese people are superstitious and American people aren't (which isn't exactly true) and Chinese culture is much older and steeped in tradition, which simplifies both societies extremely. Saying that, Paw Paw is honestly my favorite character and such a great grandmother, teaching Casey meaningful lessons. Every quirky character Casey meets along the way was also enjoyable. A sweet book, but would have been better with more deeper examination of both cultures.
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December 11, 2019In this book, a girl named Casey is kicked out of her aunt and uncle's house because she was a bad influence. They sent her to live with her grandmother, Paw-Paw until her father is out of the hospital. The bad thing is, Paw-Paw r lives in Chinatown and doesn't know a ton of English. The experience of living with Paw-Paw in Chinatown helps her learn about her ancestors and her culture. The theme of this book is the importance of culture. What do I think of this book? I loved it! I love how Casey changes so much and learns so much about her culture and how she teaches Paw-Paw a little bit about the American culture along the way. I ten out of ten reccommend
December 10, 2020
The Main Character Casey was feeling lost in Chinatown because her Father is in the hospital so she has to live with her Grandmother Paw-Paw. The setting takes place in Chinatown and Casey will have to learn about Chinese culture and learn how to do things in Chinese. The main conflict is that Casey doesn't know anything about her family history and her mother so Paw-Paw gave her a necklace that symbolizes everything about her family and her culture. The theme of this book is teaching Casey about her life outside of the city and needs to learn about her own heritage and where It came from. My opinion of this book is that it's a great book to read and it's gets good towards the end of the book but I am not going to spoil the end.
December 8, 2020
The main character Casey lives with her dad barney until she has to go live with family members. Casey ends up going to live with her Paw Paw in China Town and faces a lot of struggles while living there. She ends up realizing how different she is compared to everyone there even though she looks like them. The theme of this book perseverance because Casey pushes through all the rough times and doesn't give up. She learns a lot about her culture and family while living in China Town with her Paw Paw.
July 13, 2021
I expect nothing less than a good, interesting plot from Yep, but I just didn't enjoy this book from the Golden Mountain Chronicles as much as the others that I have read. This book is not historical fiction like the others have been. This is very much a fictional story about a Chinese-American girl living in Chinatown, SF, CA in 1964 and subsequent years.
It is still a good read, but for a more mature, discerning audience than the others in the series. It deals extensively with the spiritual beliefs of her Chinese ancestors.
It is still a good read, but for a more mature, discerning audience than the others in the series. It deals extensively with the spiritual beliefs of her Chinese ancestors.
December 8, 2020
An 11-year-old Chinese girl named Cassey is trying to know who she really is. In an unknown place called china town. But she is having trouble along the way to know who she is. Will she go big or go home.
In my opinion of the novel 'Child of the owl', I would recommend the novel because it talks a great lesson on following a path to find out who you really are, and I liked the book because it gave me something I haven't read in a long while.
In my opinion of the novel 'Child of the owl', I would recommend the novel because it talks a great lesson on following a path to find out who you really are, and I liked the book because it gave me something I haven't read in a long while.
March 20, 2022
There was a lot more to this book than I expected. It seems totally out of place in the juvenile section of the library to me (despite the fact it has a young girl protagonist) and would fit quite nicely into regular fiction so that more people would pick it up and enjoy it.
October 27, 2024
it took me a while because school got hectic but wow that was fantastic. i really resonated with casey in a lot of ways even though i’m not chinese-american and i loved the dynamics within the family and some of the tougher topics that laurence yep wrote in
February 12, 2025
Good historical read of Chinatown in the sixties, along with the problems with gambling addiction. It was well written but I won't be keeping it in my library because of occasional swearing in the book, and constant smoking.
July 31, 2020
1965, California, assimilation and 2nd/3rd generation issues. Also, nice details with the father as a gambler. Iris enjoyed it too
February 27, 2021
I first read Laurence Yep's books back in the 70s, when I picked up Dragonwings. I thought this one would be appealing to kids, as well as The Star Fisher, my favorite of his.
December 2, 2023
Searing, this book will haunt me for my entire life.
March 25, 2008
Child of the Owl HarperCollins Publishers, 1977, $1.99
Laurence Yep ISBN 0-06-440336-X
I never was really interested in books like these. The kinds of books where the title sets the stage of who should actually read it. But after reading the first page I fell in love with the explanatory, intense and heartbreaking book. Soon enough it was hard for me to put it down.
In this book, a 12 year old girl named Casey, our protagonist must learn to cope without a mother or knowledge of her culture. Her father must leave her for a while with other relatives as he travels for ways to make money. Though her father is a bad influence he is one astounding male figure. At her grandmothers she learns her true culture and longing questions are answered about her mother. Moving into Chinatown (her homeland) an environment she’s not used to exposes her to the true meanings of life and love. Child of the Owl is stirring, thought provoking and this is why you MUST read it.
This book, an example setter to all is the finest I have read for some time, it dealt with indifference and change. Amusing and vivid, this book was able to glue itself onto my hands .My eyes were able to move quickly scan the pages but get every ounce of detail because of the connection the author seemed to have with the characters. This books point of view was of the Asian population residing in Chinatown. I recommend this book to anyone of the Chinese heritage and/or especially to someone who is interested about culture. It was like a detailed poem, full and satisfying. Your future review of this book, I am sure will be just like mine.
Laurence Yep ISBN 0-06-440336-X
I never was really interested in books like these. The kinds of books where the title sets the stage of who should actually read it. But after reading the first page I fell in love with the explanatory, intense and heartbreaking book. Soon enough it was hard for me to put it down.
In this book, a 12 year old girl named Casey, our protagonist must learn to cope without a mother or knowledge of her culture. Her father must leave her for a while with other relatives as he travels for ways to make money. Though her father is a bad influence he is one astounding male figure. At her grandmothers she learns her true culture and longing questions are answered about her mother. Moving into Chinatown (her homeland) an environment she’s not used to exposes her to the true meanings of life and love. Child of the Owl is stirring, thought provoking and this is why you MUST read it.
This book, an example setter to all is the finest I have read for some time, it dealt with indifference and change. Amusing and vivid, this book was able to glue itself onto my hands .My eyes were able to move quickly scan the pages but get every ounce of detail because of the connection the author seemed to have with the characters. This books point of view was of the Asian population residing in Chinatown. I recommend this book to anyone of the Chinese heritage and/or especially to someone who is interested about culture. It was like a detailed poem, full and satisfying. Your future review of this book, I am sure will be just like mine.
April 9, 2008
i dont remember fully about this book. i finished it like LONG ago.
the main character has a gambling father and a dead mother. her father is in deep debt where ever he goes. so he decided to put his daughter with her uncle. however, she soon realize that she was too *outdated* for her uncle's family. she sets out to Chinatown to her maternal grandma. it is then she had to learn to cope with her new surroundings in Chinatown and learn back her traditions as being a Chinese.
i liked this book because well.. it is a chinese based book. i feel comfortable reading it because i am familiar with the plot and the settings and the occasional Chinese characters that pops up. i feel that a lot of american born chinese have lost their tradition one way or another. since they are born in america, they do not receive any lessons on how to read or write chinese. and that tradition will no longer be passed down to later generations. it is a sad thing to see my fellow chinese friends who couldnt even read a paragraph without help.
this ends my review.(also my first "new" review) i hope this is enough information.
the main character has a gambling father and a dead mother. her father is in deep debt where ever he goes. so he decided to put his daughter with her uncle. however, she soon realize that she was too *outdated* for her uncle's family. she sets out to Chinatown to her maternal grandma. it is then she had to learn to cope with her new surroundings in Chinatown and learn back her traditions as being a Chinese.
i liked this book because well.. it is a chinese based book. i feel comfortable reading it because i am familiar with the plot and the settings and the occasional Chinese characters that pops up. i feel that a lot of american born chinese have lost their tradition one way or another. since they are born in america, they do not receive any lessons on how to read or write chinese. and that tradition will no longer be passed down to later generations. it is a sad thing to see my fellow chinese friends who couldnt even read a paragraph without help.
this ends my review.(also my first "new" review) i hope this is enough information.
January 29, 2016
This book is about a twelve-year old Chinese girl, Casey, whose father has a major gambling problem. She ends up having to live with her grandmother, Paw-Paw, in Chinatown. The story tells about her adjustments to living there, adjustments made more difficult by the fact that she doesn't speak Chinese.
Her grandmother is a very nice person who tells Casey about a Chinese legend of an Owl that became a human. Matters become more complicated when she and her grandmother come home one day and find a burgler in their apartment. The grandmother is injured, and Casey and some others set about trying to find out who the burglar was and get back an owl charm that was stolen.
They eventually find the burglar, but it turns out to be someone Casey knows.
The story is written very well and remains interesting throughout. I also like the way the story spends a lot of its time on Casey's psychology; how she handles living in Chinatown, how she handles have a father addicted to gambling, and how she relates to others.
I liked the story quite a bit. It was one that kept my interest throughout. Definitely a book worth reading.
Her grandmother is a very nice person who tells Casey about a Chinese legend of an Owl that became a human. Matters become more complicated when she and her grandmother come home one day and find a burgler in their apartment. The grandmother is injured, and Casey and some others set about trying to find out who the burglar was and get back an owl charm that was stolen.
They eventually find the burglar, but it turns out to be someone Casey knows.
The story is written very well and remains interesting throughout. I also like the way the story spends a lot of its time on Casey's psychology; how she handles living in Chinatown, how she handles have a father addicted to gambling, and how she relates to others.
I liked the story quite a bit. It was one that kept my interest throughout. Definitely a book worth reading.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews