Author: Grace Lin
Lexile Score: n/a
Genre: Fiction
Maturity level: 3rd Grade
Pages: 182 Chapters: 34 Average Chapter Length: 5 pages
Theme: race, family, friendship
Project ideas: Collect family stories/fables.
First Line: “Happy Year of the Rat!” Dad said as he toasted us with his glass.
Main Character: Grace (Pacy)
Review in 25 words or less: This is a must have on any third – fifth grade book club shelf!
Grade: A++
From the dedication to the reader to the Author’s Note at the end, I loved every minute of this book (a sequel to The Year of the Dog) and am certain that young readers would as well. Interwoven with the narrative (a year in the life of Grace) and the typical events one would encounter during a year: celebrations,
weddings, and disappointments – are stories told by Pacy’s parents, and
family legends that add a moral, thoughtful element. Semi
auto-biographical, Pacy’s wish to become an author/illustrator is
mirrored in the many simple illustrations (also done by the author)
that give a more personal touch to the text. The book is funny, poignant, delightful, and makes me hope there are many more “Years” to come.
A man can fail many times, but he isn't a failure until he begins to blame somebody else.
Posted by: Asics Shoes | January 15, 2012 at 09:25 PM