What do you think?
Rate this book
Pacy #1
The Year of the Dog
A special edition of a modern classic by the Newbery-Award winning and bestselling author of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
When Pacy's mom tells her that this is a good year for friends, family, and "finding herself," Pacy begins searching right away. As the year goes on, she struggles to find her talent, deals with disappointment, makes a new best friend, and discovers just why the Year of the Dog is a lucky one for her after all.
This funny and profound book is a wonderful debut novel by award-winning and bestselling author and illustrator Grace Lin, and young readers will be sure to love and treasure it for years to come.
This special edition of the modern classic features over 15 pages of new content, including deleted stories, a Q&A with the author and editor, photos from the author's childhood, and more!
When Pacy's mom tells her that this is a good year for friends, family, and "finding herself," Pacy begins searching right away. As the year goes on, she struggles to find her talent, deals with disappointment, makes a new best friend, and discovers just why the Year of the Dog is a lucky one for her after all.
This funny and profound book is a wonderful debut novel by award-winning and bestselling author and illustrator Grace Lin, and young readers will be sure to love and treasure it for years to come.
This special edition of the modern classic features over 15 pages of new content, including deleted stories, a Q&A with the author and editor, photos from the author's childhood, and more!
160 pages, Paperback
First published December 20, 2005
333 people are currently reading
3404 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 811 reviews
April 7, 2020
all the stars!!! this book is so wholesome and i wish i'd read this when i was younger.
February 15, 2017
The Lunar New Year lasts for 15 days, and technically, it ended on February 11th this year, with the first full moon and the traditional Lantern Festival. We were still reading and enjoying Grace Lin's book The Year of the Dog, her first Pacy Lin novel, on the last day of the New Year, but it is just too good not to write about - better late than never.
The Year of the Dog has arrived and the Lins - Pacy, her mom and dad, her older sister Lissy and younger sister Ki-Ki - are celebrating with all the traditional customs and foods. In the Year of the Dog, Pacy learns, you are supposed to find your best friends, as well as yourself and what you want to do with your life.
Pacy isn't sure what finding yourself means for her, though. She knows she's Chinese, but her parents are Taiwanese and she doesn't speak either language, but her mom and dad do. She was born in the US, so she's also American, and at school she is called by her American name, Grace. But, to Americans, she is too Chinese, and to Chinese people, she is too American. Will Pacy really be able to find herself in the Year of the Dog?
So far, Pacy has been the only Chinese student at school, besides her sister. But, the day after celebrating the New Year, Pacy returns to school and discovers that there is a new Chinese girl named Melody, who is also Taiwanese American. The two girls become instant best friends.
As the Year of the Dog goes by, Pacy experiences many things, some are traditionally Chinese, others very American. First, there is the family's trip to New Jersey to celebrate Pacy's new born cousin Albert's Red Egg party, in which eggs are dyed red and brought to the baby for luck, along with red envelopes full of money.
Then, at school, the students are given an assignment to write and illustrate a book of their own as part of a national contest. Pacy is excited at first, but soon realizes she can't think anything to write and illustrate that interests her. Later in the year, Melody and Pacy decide to participate in the Science Fair, which doesn't go exactly as planned. Pacy is also excited when the teacher announces that the class play will be The Wizard of Oz. Hoping to get the part of Dorothy, her enthusiasm is spoiled when her friend Becky tells her that she can't be Dorothy, because Dorothy's not Chinese.
By the end of the school year, Pacy has finally come up with an idea for her book project, and then school is over, and summer arrives. Melody and her family are going to spend a week at TAC camp, a camp for Taiwanese Americans, and Mrs. Lin decides it would be good for her family to go as well. Pacy is signed up for an art class, but she isn't very welcomed by the other girls in the class who speak Chinese and call her a Twinkie (yellow on the outside, but white on the inside).
The fall goes by, with very funny and touching descriptions of the Lins celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Lin children want these holidays to be celebrated traditionally, but their parents keep wanting to celebrate in a Chinese way. I thought this touching because I think everyone in the US puts their own cultural spin on these holidays. I know my family did (American southern and Welsh), and I know the families of my friend's did the same thing.
So when Chinese New Year comes around again and the Year of the Dog come to an end and the Year of the Pig is welcomed in, we know Pacy has found a new friend, has spent time with her family, including her grandparents from Taiwan, but has she succeeded in finding herself and what she wants to do with her life?
In her afterward, Grace Lin writes the she wrote The Year of the Dog because it was the book she wished she had when she was growing Asian in a Caucasian community, not because she had been a miserable and gloomy life, but because it was different and she wanted to express the difference in an real and upbeat way. Which is why some of the vignettes in the book don't come to a neat conclusion - after, all sometimes life doesn't either.
But what Lin does do is address issues that do impact children who are not white but life in a white community. For example, when Pacy is told she can't be Dorothy in the play. Cast as a munchkin, she is given the job of handing a gift to Dorothy, and worries that being in the spotlight for a few seconds will be a problem for the audience.
Lin has included lots of information about what life is like in a Chinese American family. I loved the annual trip to NYC's Chinatown to buy Chinese groceries for the year. I also love shopping in Chinatown, though I only buy what I can carry on the subway.
Lin tells Pacy's story simply and directly. It is narrated from Pacy point of view in the first person, but alternates with anecdotes, or really real life lessons, told by her mother from her childhood in Taiwan. Lin also gives detailed descriptions of the food that the family eats, and now that I am more familiar with real Chinese food, thanks to my Kiddo and her husband who comes from China, I could really appreciate these mouth-watering details.
I also really liked that Pacy's family in loving and intact. There is no one major problem that must be dealt with, both mom and dad are present and aware of their children's lives, and they do lots of things together as a family and with other families. All that makes The Year of the Dog an endearing, often humorous work that I think young readers will most definitely enjoy.
This book is recommended for readers age 7+
This book was borrowed from the NYPL
This review was originally posted at Randomly Reading
The Year of the Dog has arrived and the Lins - Pacy, her mom and dad, her older sister Lissy and younger sister Ki-Ki - are celebrating with all the traditional customs and foods. In the Year of the Dog, Pacy learns, you are supposed to find your best friends, as well as yourself and what you want to do with your life.
Pacy isn't sure what finding yourself means for her, though. She knows she's Chinese, but her parents are Taiwanese and she doesn't speak either language, but her mom and dad do. She was born in the US, so she's also American, and at school she is called by her American name, Grace. But, to Americans, she is too Chinese, and to Chinese people, she is too American. Will Pacy really be able to find herself in the Year of the Dog?
So far, Pacy has been the only Chinese student at school, besides her sister. But, the day after celebrating the New Year, Pacy returns to school and discovers that there is a new Chinese girl named Melody, who is also Taiwanese American. The two girls become instant best friends.
As the Year of the Dog goes by, Pacy experiences many things, some are traditionally Chinese, others very American. First, there is the family's trip to New Jersey to celebrate Pacy's new born cousin Albert's Red Egg party, in which eggs are dyed red and brought to the baby for luck, along with red envelopes full of money.
Then, at school, the students are given an assignment to write and illustrate a book of their own as part of a national contest. Pacy is excited at first, but soon realizes she can't think anything to write and illustrate that interests her. Later in the year, Melody and Pacy decide to participate in the Science Fair, which doesn't go exactly as planned. Pacy is also excited when the teacher announces that the class play will be The Wizard of Oz. Hoping to get the part of Dorothy, her enthusiasm is spoiled when her friend Becky tells her that she can't be Dorothy, because Dorothy's not Chinese.
By the end of the school year, Pacy has finally come up with an idea for her book project, and then school is over, and summer arrives. Melody and her family are going to spend a week at TAC camp, a camp for Taiwanese Americans, and Mrs. Lin decides it would be good for her family to go as well. Pacy is signed up for an art class, but she isn't very welcomed by the other girls in the class who speak Chinese and call her a Twinkie (yellow on the outside, but white on the inside).
The fall goes by, with very funny and touching descriptions of the Lins celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Lin children want these holidays to be celebrated traditionally, but their parents keep wanting to celebrate in a Chinese way. I thought this touching because I think everyone in the US puts their own cultural spin on these holidays. I know my family did (American southern and Welsh), and I know the families of my friend's did the same thing.
So when Chinese New Year comes around again and the Year of the Dog come to an end and the Year of the Pig is welcomed in, we know Pacy has found a new friend, has spent time with her family, including her grandparents from Taiwan, but has she succeeded in finding herself and what she wants to do with her life?
In her afterward, Grace Lin writes the she wrote The Year of the Dog because it was the book she wished she had when she was growing Asian in a Caucasian community, not because she had been a miserable and gloomy life, but because it was different and she wanted to express the difference in an real and upbeat way. Which is why some of the vignettes in the book don't come to a neat conclusion - after, all sometimes life doesn't either.
But what Lin does do is address issues that do impact children who are not white but life in a white community. For example, when Pacy is told she can't be Dorothy in the play. Cast as a munchkin, she is given the job of handing a gift to Dorothy, and worries that being in the spotlight for a few seconds will be a problem for the audience.
Lin has included lots of information about what life is like in a Chinese American family. I loved the annual trip to NYC's Chinatown to buy Chinese groceries for the year. I also love shopping in Chinatown, though I only buy what I can carry on the subway.
Lin tells Pacy's story simply and directly. It is narrated from Pacy point of view in the first person, but alternates with anecdotes, or really real life lessons, told by her mother from her childhood in Taiwan. Lin also gives detailed descriptions of the food that the family eats, and now that I am more familiar with real Chinese food, thanks to my Kiddo and her husband who comes from China, I could really appreciate these mouth-watering details.
I also really liked that Pacy's family in loving and intact. There is no one major problem that must be dealt with, both mom and dad are present and aware of their children's lives, and they do lots of things together as a family and with other families. All that makes The Year of the Dog an endearing, often humorous work that I think young readers will most definitely enjoy.
This book is recommended for readers age 7+
This book was borrowed from the NYPL
This review was originally posted at Randomly Reading
August 10, 2017
As perfect as a children's book can be.
Lin writes a sweet, direct, hopeful book that never loses its tenderness even when dealing with serious topics. In the course of this short, episodic text, Lin conveys the following:
* A light-handed tone that reminds me of Beverly Cleary, although Lin's stated influence is Carolyn Haywood
* A complete character arc in which the protagonist (Pacy) learns about her Chinese-American cultural identity
* A complete character arc in which Pacy seeks her talent, and must learn what makes her special
* Adorable illustrations that remind me of Lynne Rae Perkins, but probably come directly from Lin's background in art
* A series of episodes that, while functioning independently, create a cohesive, satisfying whole
* A wealth of information about Chinese/Taiwanese traditions
Appropriate for about Grades 2-6, give or take a year on both ends.
Lin writes a sweet, direct, hopeful book that never loses its tenderness even when dealing with serious topics. In the course of this short, episodic text, Lin conveys the following:
* A light-handed tone that reminds me of Beverly Cleary, although Lin's stated influence is Carolyn Haywood
* A complete character arc in which the protagonist (Pacy) learns about her Chinese-American cultural identity
* A complete character arc in which Pacy seeks her talent, and must learn what makes her special
* Adorable illustrations that remind me of Lynne Rae Perkins, but probably come directly from Lin's background in art
* A series of episodes that, while functioning independently, create a cohesive, satisfying whole
* A wealth of information about Chinese/Taiwanese traditions
Appropriate for about Grades 2-6, give or take a year on both ends.
December 11, 2008
As the author states, "Growing up Asian in a mainly Causcasian community was not a miserable and gloomy existence. But it was different. I wrote Year of the Dog, because I felt that it was important to have a book that addressed those differences in a real and upbeat way. I wrote it because it was the book I wished I had had when I was growing up, a book that someone like me in it."
She succeeded! This book is cute yet poignant at the same time. I feel certain a fourth grader could read and enjoy this book. Most books about Asian-American life that I've read (and I've read many) have been quite dark. This is the first "upbeat" story I've read and I enjoyed learning about this side of the spectrum. Even when something negative happens in her life, like when her Chinese-American peers accuse her of being a "twinkie" (yellow on the outside and white on the inside), her parents turn it into a teaching opportunity and tell her stories about their own lives to help her feel better. Gone is the spooky, angry, refusing-to-learn-english Mom, or the absentee-father that so usually typifies Asian-American literature. I loved it!
She succeeded! This book is cute yet poignant at the same time. I feel certain a fourth grader could read and enjoy this book. Most books about Asian-American life that I've read (and I've read many) have been quite dark. This is the first "upbeat" story I've read and I enjoyed learning about this side of the spectrum. Even when something negative happens in her life, like when her Chinese-American peers accuse her of being a "twinkie" (yellow on the outside and white on the inside), her parents turn it into a teaching opportunity and tell her stories about their own lives to help her feel better. Gone is the spooky, angry, refusing-to-learn-english Mom, or the absentee-father that so usually typifies Asian-American literature. I loved it!
February 4, 2016
My nearly 8 year old and I read this book together, every other page. We LOVED it. Pacy, also known as Grace, is a Taiwanese-American. It's not easy to be the only "different" one at school, and during the Year of the Dog, Grace not only finally finds a best friend, but she learns a lot about herself and what she might like to do when she grows up.
I thought this book was so cleverly written - you are enmeshed in their culture, learning about the things they eat, the holidays they celebrate, and their traditions - but the story is incredibly accessible. I especially loved the cartoon like drawings throughout, particularly those illustrating Taiwanese foods etc., because it made it easier for my daughter to visualize what we were reading about.
Probably my favorite aspect about the book was the "stories" told throughout the book to Grace by her parents. These tales always followed some sort of problem or issue the children were having, and the stories were of their ancestors (or parents) who dealt with a similar problem. These stories tied the children into their roots and their history, and made things feel manageable and even funny.
I can't think of one thing about this book that I didn't like. I highly recommend The Year of the Dog as an introduction to Taiwanese culture and as a fun, thoughtful read.
I thought this book was so cleverly written - you are enmeshed in their culture, learning about the things they eat, the holidays they celebrate, and their traditions - but the story is incredibly accessible. I especially loved the cartoon like drawings throughout, particularly those illustrating Taiwanese foods etc., because it made it easier for my daughter to visualize what we were reading about.
Probably my favorite aspect about the book was the "stories" told throughout the book to Grace by her parents. These tales always followed some sort of problem or issue the children were having, and the stories were of their ancestors (or parents) who dealt with a similar problem. These stories tied the children into their roots and their history, and made things feel manageable and even funny.
I can't think of one thing about this book that I didn't like. I highly recommend The Year of the Dog as an introduction to Taiwanese culture and as a fun, thoughtful read.
January 15, 2016
This story is about a normal Taiwan girl named Grace, and her family, who lives in America. It is the time to celebrate the new year, but since they are so far away from Taiwan, they call their relatives. When they were celebrating, her mom told stories of the past about grandpa. After that, they went to sleep. She went to school the next day and found out that there was a girl just like her named Melody. They decided to be friends. They hanged out together and had fun. Now the rest of this book is basically episodes of what happened in school with Melody, and has mom and dad telling stories about the past of what has happened. It talks about the projects Melody and Grace did at school such as a science project. There are also episodes in which they talk about what happens at home too.
February 20, 2018
I had a big smile on my face the whole time I was reading this lovely little book. I love reading about other people's experiences and childhoods and this story gives a great glimpse into another culture. I can't wait to share this one with my daughter. :)
November 5, 2023
Loved this book when I first read it and still love it now. It's funny and charming. Simply a great book. The Chinese/Taiwanese-American representation is wonderful and I love how the narrator talks about the need for representation. The book just goes through the day-to-day life of the narrator in the lunar year of the dog. Would highly recommend it for young readers and parents! Make sure to read the physical book if possible (as opposed to an audiobook) since there are doodles on the pages. They're not essential to the story though, so an audiobook would also suffice.
August 13, 2017
I wish all 2nd-5th grade classrooms could have this on hand for girls. Not sure they'd appeal too much to the boys, but girls who like realistic fiction could relate to this book and enjoy the series.
October 19, 2023
One of my favorite books as a child, and even reading it again as an adult I enjoyed it. As a Taiwanese-American, my mom would tell me stories just like the ones Pacy’s mom tells. I can also relate to knowing the difference between Taiwan and China is important, but not fully understanding why when you’re a Taiwanese kid in the US. Excited to reread the other books in the series next.
February 25, 2022
This is a really sweet children's book based on a year in the author's life growing up as a Taiwanese-American in a mostly white neighborhood. In the author's note she explains how, as a child, she loved books about kids doing normal things, but as an Asian-American she rarely saw herself in those books, so this is the book she would have liked to have read as a child.
February 29, 2024
Pacy's family is celebrating Lunar New Year together with a mix of Chinese/Taiwanese traditions and foods and some good old American M&Ms. When Pacy's mom tells them it's the Year of the Dog, a year to find your best friend and find yourself, Pacy decides to find herself and figure out her true calling. She meets Melody, another Tawaianese-American girl who instantly becomes Pacy's best friend. Check one box. The other is a lot harder! Should she be a scientist? Winning the science fair would be a good sign that's her calling. What about an actress? Her dreams there are dashed when someone comments that Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz is not Chinese. The comment hurts but doesn't keep Pacy down for long. There's one other thing she might just might be good at enough to make it a career.
This is a cute autobiographical story based on Grace Lin's family and friends. Her childhood as a Taiwanese/Chinese-American in a mostly White community was a little confusing but not doom and gloom, according to her author's note. She set out to write a story that compared to the books she loved as a kid "B" Is for Betsy and Eddie and His Big Deals about kids in a neighborhood going to school, making friends, eating dinner with family and waiting for the school bus. In short, ordinary kids doing ordinary things - EXCEPT those stories never featured characters like Grace. I think she succeeded in her goal of writing a gentle children's book about an ordinary girl who happens to be Taiwanese-American. I could relate to Pacy's excitement and anxieties in school and her quest to find herself. I really, really related to Pacy's dream job.
Pacy/Grace is a relatable character. She worries about fitting in with her peers but also standing out as an individual. She may be Taiwanese but not all Taiwanese people look alike or act the same. She doesn't really fit in with her American peers or with her Taiwanese peers which causes some anxiety for her. It's worked out pretty quickly though. Pacy has a loving family to support her. Sometimes she fights with her older sister Lissy who is a new teenager and a know-it-all. Sometimes her little sister Ki-Ki can be babyish but they don't really fight a lot. Mom tells the best stories about her childhood or her family back in Taiwan and the stories serve as a lesson to her daughters. Both parents support their kids in whatever they want to do and want their kids to be happy. I really liked that aspect of the story. There's no conflict within the family. At the end, at Thanksgiving and Christmas, the girls push their parents to participate in American traditions and the parents do, for their children.
Pacy's friend Melody is also Taiwanese and understands exactly how Pacy feels. They connect instantly. Melody always supports Pacy in everything, including crushes, even when Melody has the same crush.
Pacy's little drawings make this story extra special. They're really adorable and very charming. Grace Lin is super sweet and this book shows her personality very well.
This is a cute autobiographical story based on Grace Lin's family and friends. Her childhood as a Taiwanese/Chinese-American in a mostly White community was a little confusing but not doom and gloom, according to her author's note. She set out to write a story that compared to the books she loved as a kid "B" Is for Betsy and Eddie and His Big Deals about kids in a neighborhood going to school, making friends, eating dinner with family and waiting for the school bus. In short, ordinary kids doing ordinary things - EXCEPT those stories never featured characters like Grace. I think she succeeded in her goal of writing a gentle children's book about an ordinary girl who happens to be Taiwanese-American. I could relate to Pacy's excitement and anxieties in school and her quest to find herself. I really, really related to Pacy's dream job.
Pacy/Grace is a relatable character. She worries about fitting in with her peers but also standing out as an individual. She may be Taiwanese but not all Taiwanese people look alike or act the same. She doesn't really fit in with her American peers or with her Taiwanese peers which causes some anxiety for her. It's worked out pretty quickly though. Pacy has a loving family to support her. Sometimes she fights with her older sister Lissy who is a new teenager and a know-it-all. Sometimes her little sister Ki-Ki can be babyish but they don't really fight a lot. Mom tells the best stories about her childhood or her family back in Taiwan and the stories serve as a lesson to her daughters. Both parents support their kids in whatever they want to do and want their kids to be happy. I really liked that aspect of the story. There's no conflict within the family. At the end, at Thanksgiving and Christmas, the girls push their parents to participate in American traditions and the parents do, for their children.
Pacy's friend Melody is also Taiwanese and understands exactly how Pacy feels. They connect instantly. Melody always supports Pacy in everything, including crushes, even when Melody has the same crush.
Pacy's little drawings make this story extra special. They're really adorable and very charming. Grace Lin is super sweet and this book shows her personality very well.
October 21, 2021
Read this in one sitting! What a great mentor text for writers workshop - lots of descriptive writing and show not tell. Many mini stories inside the story that can be used during mini lessons. An all around great book, especially for Chinese-Taiwanese-Americans. Upper elementary and lower middle school.
November 6, 2021
So much of this reminded me of living in Taiwan. I love how she tells stories within characters such as her mom going to school in Taiwan. She captures different cultures and what it is like being an outsider trying to find friends and self-identity while being supported by family. This makes me want to write about living overseas.
June 11, 2025
No the prose is not flowery and complex but the descriptions of everything (the FOOD) have lingered with me since elementary school. What a lovely blast from the past
May 30, 2019
When I was in fourth grade, the author of this book, Grace Lin, came to my school. For a while, I was OBSESSED with all of her books. I remember walking into the library and seeing this book in the top shelf. I loved this book because
- I felt like I could relate to the author, because she had come to my school, and I had the same passion as her, to write books for kids.
- This book is part of a series. I love a good series, because it keeps you on your toes.
I think that kids can relate more to books when they get to actually meet the author, or at least see them speak at their school. I recommend this book(and the rest of the series) for 3-5 graders, as that was the age where I fell in love with her books.
- I felt like I could relate to the author, because she had come to my school, and I had the same passion as her, to write books for kids.
- This book is part of a series. I love a good series, because it keeps you on your toes.
I think that kids can relate more to books when they get to actually meet the author, or at least see them speak at their school. I recommend this book(and the rest of the series) for 3-5 graders, as that was the age where I fell in love with her books.
May 28, 2013
It's difficult as an adult--technically an adult, not willingly an adult-- to read books like this and try to figure how a child would experience the story and the writing and the style. I remember being a kid reading books and liking them but not knowing why I liked them. I liked books because I liked reading; I liked the concept of having a story that I got to flesh out in my own mind by following a structure written by someone I never knew. And I guess I still like that about reading. But reading has become something more than that. Or something less. Do we murder to dissect? Or do we gain insight and appreciation as we test literature with every lens available?
Either way, good not great. I don't know where all the garbage that started this review came from. Grace Lin is probably the best current Kid Lit author out there (at least she's the best that I know of but that isn't saying much as I don't really keep up with any of it). She is an excellent author for young readers to encounter somewhere in between Dr. Suess and J. K. Rowling.
Either way, good not great. I don't know where all the garbage that started this review came from. Grace Lin is probably the best current Kid Lit author out there (at least she's the best that I know of but that isn't saying much as I don't really keep up with any of it). She is an excellent author for young readers to encounter somewhere in between Dr. Suess and J. K. Rowling.
June 30, 2021
I read this one with my 3rd graders this year.
I read it with the fully remote kids as a read aloud.
They really enjoyed this book! I had five kids that were fully remote by the time we started this. They were all Asian American and so they really connected with Pacy's family and culture.
It was so interesting to hear them discuss their own traditions. And how their parents and grandparents had told them similar stories about going to school when they were younger in different countries.
One thing my kids really disliked was the racism. It opened up some really good conversation that I appreciated a lot. The kids however, really harped on how mean it was and said they didn't like reading it.
This is not a surprise, because it is a sad thing to read about. Obviously they don't realize the importance of discussing this yet, especially as they are lucky to be in a school in NYC with a big Asian population. However, they loved having conversations about it, and it was really enlightening to see and be a part of.
I read it with the fully remote kids as a read aloud.
They really enjoyed this book! I had five kids that were fully remote by the time we started this. They were all Asian American and so they really connected with Pacy's family and culture.
It was so interesting to hear them discuss their own traditions. And how their parents and grandparents had told them similar stories about going to school when they were younger in different countries.
One thing my kids really disliked was the racism. It opened up some really good conversation that I appreciated a lot. The kids however, really harped on how mean it was and said they didn't like reading it.
This is not a surprise, because it is a sad thing to read about. Obviously they don't realize the importance of discussing this yet, especially as they are lucky to be in a school in NYC with a big Asian population. However, they loved having conversations about it, and it was really enlightening to see and be a part of.
April 26, 2015
I decided to read this book after being thoroughly impressed with Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. I was equally impressed with this book.
Grace Lin writes about a year of her childhood, the Year of the Dog. It is supposed to be a great year for making friends and finding oneself. There is a new Chinese girl at school and the two become fast friends.
I love Lin's writing style. It reminds me of Tomie dePaola's autobiographies but with an Asian twist. She's very authentic about not being sure if she's Chinese or Taiwanese or American. Many of her family's customs are highlighted in the book as well. The occasional "story within a story" and frequent illustrations bring another level of charm to the book. This is definitely on my list of books to buy.
Grace Lin writes about a year of her childhood, the Year of the Dog. It is supposed to be a great year for making friends and finding oneself. There is a new Chinese girl at school and the two become fast friends.
I love Lin's writing style. It reminds me of Tomie dePaola's autobiographies but with an Asian twist. She's very authentic about not being sure if she's Chinese or Taiwanese or American. Many of her family's customs are highlighted in the book as well. The occasional "story within a story" and frequent illustrations bring another level of charm to the book. This is definitely on my list of books to buy.
January 28, 2018
I read books with my son who is on the spectrum and loves books but doesn't enjoy reading. He's joined a book club through our local library, so now we're reading books I wouldn't have picked, but good for us to branch out.
This one was a little too much aimed at girls for my son (and my) tastes, and the chapters all seemed to contain an awkwardly placed story about the older relatives of the main group of sisters. I liked the stories from the past, but they didn't have anything to do with the main plot and all seemed just shoved in there.
I liked the main girl, but thought there just wasn't much going on with her or this book to keep us begging for extra chapters each night.
This one was a little too much aimed at girls for my son (and my) tastes, and the chapters all seemed to contain an awkwardly placed story about the older relatives of the main group of sisters. I liked the stories from the past, but they didn't have anything to do with the main plot and all seemed just shoved in there.
I liked the main girl, but thought there just wasn't much going on with her or this book to keep us begging for extra chapters each night.
February 14, 2008
This was a very nice read - well written with very intersting tidbits about Chinese culture. This was a heartfelt story about a young Chinese-American girl trying to fit in and trying to find her niche in life during the year of the dog, when you are supposed to find out who you are. I found it a little quiet for my taste (but then, I read gruesome murder mysteries) but it had such a ring of truth that it made me keep reading. I loved the little bits of wisdom the mother imparted from her life experiences.
January 3, 2016
I don't know how to say this other than to describe this book as exactly what it tries to be. It teaches about Chinese culture and traditions with a cute storyline thrown in that is nice for a second or third grader, or maybe a fourth grader. There isn't depth of character or anything that will move you to feel much emotion, but it does what it sets out to do and kids will definitely win something while reading it.
August 30, 2007
Grace Lin REALLY accomplished what she set out to do: I loved those Carolyn Haywood books as a kid, and this DOES read like one--but with Chinese (/Taiwanese!) kids in it!
Oh, man, I love this book.
My favorite has to be the scene where...
but I won't give it away.
Oh, man, I love this book.
My favorite has to be the scene where...
but I won't give it away.
October 10, 2018
Loved, loved, loved. I'm saving a copy for my daughter's to-read shelf. It captures the Asian American childhood experience so well!
August 19, 2020
I’m a teacher and read this since it’s a possible read aloud for one of our units of study. I don’t think it would really keep my students engaged.
December 7, 2020
When I read The Year of the Dog by Grace Lin, I remembered the stories that my mom told me about her childhood because in this book there was a lot of times when Grace’s mom would refer back to her childhood, and her childhood stories were a lot like the ones that my mom told me. In the novel, there was a story about the teacher cutting off her mom’s hair because it was longer than her ear, after reading that part I immediately remembered when my mom told me that her school was very strict about the girl’s hair length. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy reading about other country’s traditions and lifestyle because, in this book it talks a lot about what they believe in, for example when it was introducing what they were eating on Chinese New Year, it introduced each dish and the meaning to the dish. The story is set in America, and Grace faces the challenge of finding herself. At the beginning of the story, it was Chinese New Year and it was the year of the dog. It introduced how the year of the dog was all about finding yourself and making new friends. Grace decides that she wants to find what she wants to be when she grows up before the year of the dog ends. With the help of her family and her new best friend Melody, she decides to look for what she is passionate about. One strength of this book is that it has a lot of small details in it which helps me visualize what is happening in the book. The book was actually really easy and not very long.
Read
November 21, 2019Growing up, Grace Lin loved to read, but she always wondered why there were never any Chinese girls in the stories she loved so much. After finishing art school, she decided to create the books she wanted to read as a child. Many of her chapter books feature a family just like hers.
THE YEAR OF THE DOG begins with the Chinese New Year. Pacy has hopes that this year will be perfect. Her goal is to "find herself." She'd like to be rich and famous, but finding a way to accomplish that proves difficult.
As one of only two Chinese girls in her school, Pacy is thrilled when a Taiwanese girl arrives and is in Pacy class, she believes it is proof of the luck of the Year of the Dog. Together, Pacy and Melody support each other through difficult times.
More luck comes Pacy's way when she earns 4th place in a national book writing contest. The $400 prize is awesome, but even more special is the fact that Pacy does indeed "find herself" as she realizes being an author is perfect for her future.
Author Grace Lin's humor combined with her honest look at living as a Chinese-American will have readers clamoring to read her books.
THE YEAR OF THE DOG begins with the Chinese New Year. Pacy has hopes that this year will be perfect. Her goal is to "find herself." She'd like to be rich and famous, but finding a way to accomplish that proves difficult.
As one of only two Chinese girls in her school, Pacy is thrilled when a Taiwanese girl arrives and is in Pacy class, she believes it is proof of the luck of the Year of the Dog. Together, Pacy and Melody support each other through difficult times.
More luck comes Pacy's way when she earns 4th place in a national book writing contest. The $400 prize is awesome, but even more special is the fact that Pacy does indeed "find herself" as she realizes being an author is perfect for her future.
Author Grace Lin's humor combined with her honest look at living as a Chinese-American will have readers clamoring to read her books.
April 1, 2017
"They say the Year of the Dog is the year for friends and family. But there's more to it than that. The Year of the Dog is also for thinking. Since dogs are also honest and sincere, it's a good year to find yourself." Pacy's mom imparts this bit of knowledge to her daughter during their families celebration of the lunar new year and the ideas stick with her throughout the year as she forms a new friendship with a new Taiwanese girl at school, and competes in the science fair and a book writing competition. She is a normal girl going to school and having challenges any third or fourth grader reading this story would understand. It provides readers with a healthy depiction of a family and a window into the Asian-American experience, from the interspersed stories of family history to the simple illustrations and the bookend of the lunar new year at both ends of the book, this story is all at once unique and everyday.
This would be a useful book for introducing journal keeping to students as it reads a lot like a journal. It would also be a good jumping off point for a conversation about "American" names and how it is important to call people whatever it is they want to be called, whether that is their given name or not.
This would be a useful book for introducing journal keeping to students as it reads a lot like a journal. It would also be a good jumping off point for a conversation about "American" names and how it is important to call people whatever it is they want to be called, whether that is their given name or not.
April 20, 2021
A sweet, relatable story of the middle daughter in a Taiwanese-American family, Grace, finding herself and making decisions about what she wants to do in school and in life during the Year of the Dog. I loved how she found teachable moments in the stories of her parents and grandparents that were shared throughout the book; those really resonated with me, and demonstrated some of the struggles they had in immigrating and adapting in the United States, as well as growing up in Taiwan. The friendship between Grace and her best friend, Melody, was fun and cute as well. The middle-grade novel is peppered with author Lin's adorable illustrations throughout.
February 11, 2018
We listened to this in time to celebrate this year of the dog. The Year of the Dog is the year you are supposed to find out who you're supposed to be according to Pacy Lin's mother. This book chronicles that year and Pacy learns more about herself as she goes through 4th grade and has her first Taiwanese American friend in a school of predominantly White children, participates in the school musical, and writes her first book. I have loved Grace Lin's picture books for ages and assume that much of this book is her own story. An engaging listen.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 811 reviews