Dumpling Days

I'm hungry!

Lin, Grace. Dumpling Days. Prince Frederick, MD : Recorded Books, 2012.

Plot: Much to her frustration, Pacy Lin finds herself on a long flight to Taiwan. While her parents insist the trip will teach her and her sisters about their culture, she doubts she will find anything of importance. The first jet-lagged days seem to confirm her fears. The customs, language, and lessons frustrate and alienate her. Eventually, though, she discovers the positive aspects of the country, such as its stories and food, especially its dumplings. She discovers herself as a Taiwanese-American, and learns to accept and enjoy both worlds.

Genre: Growing Up, Asian-American, Coming of Age

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Year of the Dog, Turtle in Paradise

Personal Thoughts: While I enjoyed the title, it seemed to fall into the trap plaguing most mixed-culture novels. Typically, the books reflect exclusively on the difficult aspects of growing up in two cultures and, frustratingly, most of Dumpling Days focuses on the alienation facing Taiwanese-Americans. While a mixed background can be difficult, it can also be fun, which Lin's previous titles describe in detail. Unfortunately, only two pages of Dumpling Days address the benefits of both cultures. Still, it does offer a realistic view of a trip to Taiwan, as well as insight to Taiwanese traditions and lifestyles. As such, the title remains recommended, but not as recommended as Year of the Rat or Year of the Dog.

The Year of the Dog

Lin, Grace. The Year of the Dog. New York : Little, Brown, 2006.

Plot: Lissy, Grace's older sister, proclaims the year of the dog is excellent for making friends, since dogs are loyal. Grace's mother also claims dogs are sincere, so this will be a good year for finding oneself. Grace manages to accomplish both throughout the year, especially when Melody, another Taiwanese-American girl moves into town.

Genre: Asian-American, Fiction, Coming of Age

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Similar Titles: The Year of the Rat, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

Personal Thoughts: I...actually read this and Year of the Rat out of order. While the second book has more polish and a less-standard story, I found myself relating a bit better to Grace in this novel, particularly when she encounters a group of other Asian-American girls. Like many Americans, I (and Grace) are of mixed cultures. Like Grace, I sometimes find I am too much of both cultures to really satisfy the standards of either. As a result, I occasionally wonder where I really fit in the scheme of things. That said, Lin manages to convey this feeling without swamping the book with a big black bush of emotion. Usually, books about "Insert minority here" - American books stress the differences to a point that the world becomes depressing, lonely, and miserable. Things usually aren't that way. True, there are moments when just being one or the other would be easier, but overall, mixed cultures are not bad. Just different. The novel portrays this and many of the other mixed-up experiences and emotions surrounding tweens quite well.

The Year of the Rat

Lin, Grace. The Year of the Rat. New York : Little, Brown, 2007.

Plot: The year of the rat promises to offer change. The changes, however, seem terrible. Grace's best friend, Melody, is moving from New York to California and a new family will live in her house. None of Grace's other friends seem to understand. If anything, they do not seem like friends anymore. Grace's talents seem like dead ends and school continues to get harder. Yet, perhaps the circumstances are not what the year needs to change. Grace may need to be the one that changes.

Genre: Asian-American, Coming of Age

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Similar Titles: Year of the Dog, Frindle

Personal Thoughts: I like the book, but I'm not entirely sure if I would have liked it as a tween. True, I could relate to missing friends, wondering about my talents, and noting my peers' sudden interest in boys. Yet, I am not sure if I would like it as a tween. Still, it offers a realistic view of a growing up from a Taiwanese-American girl's perspective. Also, the girl actually sounds like a girl, not just an adult in a girl's situations.