Girl in Translation in Bound Together

Oct 30, 2011 Rachel rated it it was ok

Engaging, quick read. The characters were narrowly drawn so it was difficult to get too invested in anyone outside of the narrator, but that choice did work well to reinforce the single-minded focus of the main character, perhaps even bringing the reader more fully into her world. I may have given the book 3 stars rather than 2 if the author had simply left out the final chapter or seriously edited it - it was an overly detailed, sentimental, slightly moralizing addition that pulled me right out ...more

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Nov 03, 2011 Melanie Ali rated it liked it

The imagery in this book was wonderful. I felt like I was right there in the main character's Brooklyn apartment, with no heat...or right there in the sweltering Chinatown factory in which she worked. This was a quick read that I always looked forward to getting back to, whenever I had some free time to read. Noticeably missing from the book, however, was a real plot. It's a story about a girl who emigrates from Hong Kong to NYC with her mom and the struggles she endures as she grows up extremel ...more

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Mar 19, 2012 Martha☀ rated it really liked it

Shelves: audiobook, cultural

11 year-old Kimberly and her mother immigrate to Brooklyn, NY under the guise of steady work and a comfortable life. Once they arrive, the reality is that her mother has to work impossibly long hours at a clothing factory and Kim must come every day after school to help her mother complete her daily quota. They live in a condemned building with missing windows, no heat and plenty of cockroaches.
As Kimberly narrates, we are given a view of her culture shock and we see her develop a sense of her o 11 year-old Kimberly and her mother immigrate to Brooklyn, NY under the guise of steady work and a comfortable life. Once they arrive, the reality is that her mother has to work impossibly long hours at a clothing factory and Kim must come every day after school to help her mother complete her daily quota. They live in a condemned building with missing windows, no heat and plenty of cockroaches.
As Kimberly narrates, we are given a view of her culture shock and we see her develop a sense of her own poverty as she interacts with students at her school. She eventually understands that the only way to escape this dire situation is for her to do well in school and become successful. With the gift of work ethic and her ability to learn quickly, Kim makes strong impressions on the people around her, who in turn steer her towards better education opportunities.
As Kim moves through the school system, she is confronted with typical social pressures and she desperately wants to do normal things, like go over to a friend's house or have a boyfriend. She has to make choices with little, if any, adult input since her mother does not understand North American ways.
The book has a lovely twist towards the end and the reader gets a window into a few possible endings. (view spoiler)
Having taught ESL in the public school system for many years, I have taught children just like Kimberly. I have had entire school years go by without ever hearing from a parent due to their work commitments. I have seen students arrive daily in the same clothing because they only have one set. I have seen students struggle with expectations that are so different from the ones from their home country. Jean Kwok does an excellent job of bringing the daily struggles of an immigrant family to light.
Once again, I have to sing the praises of the audiobook. The narrator for Girl In Translation does a fabulous job of bringing the dialogue to life with her facility in both a New York accent, for the teachers and classmates, and a strong Chinese accen,t for dialogue between Kim, her mother and her aunt. I highly recommend listening to this book! ...more

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