BIBLIOGRAPHY
Lin, Grace. 2006. The Year of the Dog. New York: Little, Brown, and Co. ISBN 0316060003
SUMMARY
The Chinese New Year has arrived and it's the Year of the Dog. Pacy's mom tells her that it's the year of family, friends and of "finding yourself." That's good news because Pacy (called Grace at school) is Chinese...well, not really, her parents come from Taiwan. It's all so confusing. When Pacy meets Melody, who is also Taiwanese-American, they become best friends. It turns out, the Year of the Dog may be a lucky year after all!
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The Year of the Dog has won many awards including being a 2006 ALA Children's Notable, 2006 Asian Pacific American Librarian Association Honor, 2006 Booklist Editor's Choice for Middle Readers, 2006 Kirkus Best Early Chapter Books, 2006 NYPL 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing, 2007 Cooperative Children's Book Center Choice, and the 2007-2008 Texas Bluebonnet Award.
Grace Lin started as an illustrator and this is her debut novel, which is the first in a series of "Pacy" novels. Lin, who is also Taiwanese-American, has created a lovable character with Pacy. We learn about Chinese traditions, including a love for food for any occasion, the Chinese New Year and a Red Egg party for her newborn cousin. Lin's writing is descriptive and evocative. Her grandmother has bound feet and it's painful for her to walk. Lin describes the grandmother taking steps as "...picking her steps like the way you choose peaches at a market."
Lin has Pacy's mother offer vignettes from her childhood to compare life in Taiwan to life in America. Pacy is generally comfortable in herself, but when she asks her mom what she's supposed to say when kids ask her "what she is" her mom replies "You tell them you're American" in a firm voice. When a friend tells Pacy she can't try out for the role of Dorthy in the school play because she's Chinese, Pacy is shattered - "Like a melting icicle, my dream of being Dorothy fell and shattered on the ground."
Lin includes black and white illustrations which give the viewer an insight into Chinese cultural tradition and Pacy's life. The themes of friendship, self-esteem, multiculturalism, and self-expression will resonate with readers. Young girls will appreciate this book, but Asian American girls may especially feel a connection to Pacy.
Recommended for ages 7-11.
REVIEWS
Grace Lin's black and white illustrations are just right....She knows how to turn a phrase too...Pacy describes early spring: "The snow had melted away for good and had left everything smelling like a wet towel." --The Asian Reporter
Lin, best known for her picture books, offers up a charming first novel, an autobiographical tale of an Asian-American girl's sweet and funny insights on family, identity and friendship... Lin creates an endearing protagonist, realistically dealing with universal emotions and situations. The well-structured story, divided into 29 brief chapters, introduces traditional customs (e.g., Hong Bao are special red envelopes with money in them, given as New Year's presents), culture and cuisine, and includes several apropos "flashback" anecdotes, mainly from Pacy's mother. The book's inviting design suggests a journal, and features childlike spot illustrations and a typeface with a hand- lettered quality. Girls everywhere, but especially those in the Asian-American community, will find much to embrace here. --Publishers Weekly
This readable short novel is even more approachable because of its amusing drawings and instructive family anecdotes. Knowing the character is based on the author's life makes it really interesting to check how everything worked out...--Children's Literature
A lighthearted coming-of-age novel with a cultural twist...Small, captioned, childlike black-and-white drawings are dotted throughout. [After meeting Melody] The girls become friends and their common backgrounds illuminate further differences between the American and Taiwanese cultures...This is an enjoyable chapter book with easily identifiable characters. --School Library Journal
Elementary school readers will enjoy the familiar details of school life and the less familiar but deliciously described Chinese holiday meals...Occasional black-and-white drawings by the author enliven the text. This comfortable first-person story will be a treat for Asian-American girls looking to see themselves in their reading, but also for any reader who enjoys stories of friendship and family life.--Kirkus Reviews
CONNECTIONS
*Discussion questions for students:
- When does Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year) occur? Is it the same day every year?
- How is Chinese New Year different from New Year’s Day (January 1).
- In what year were you born? Your family members? What are the characteristics of that year? Do these words describe you and your family?
- Pacy and Melody quickly become best friends. Is this because they are both Taiwanese-American?
- Pacy is made fun of because she can’t speak Chinese or Taiwanese. Why do you think the girls made fun of her? How would you feel if you were Pacy?
*For arts and crafts activities, make Chinese New Year symbols, including:
- Chinese lantern: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/chinesenewyear/lantern/
- Fireworks: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/fireworks/
- Chinese New Year Activity book: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/books/holiday/chinesenewyear/info/
*Here are two holidays Pacy's family celebrates. Have students research on "Encyclopedia Britannica" or "World Book Encyclopedia" either online or in print.
- Chinese New Year
- Red Egg party
*Food is a big part of Chinese culture. Have an "International Food Day" where students bring in food that is popular in one of their traditional meals.
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