This first chapter book by picture book author Grace Lin is part fiction and part memoir.
Second grade, Taiwanese-American, Pacy is excited to be celebrating the Chinese New Year holiday 'year of the dog' with her family. It is known to be a special year for family, friends and finding yourself and your abilities.
During the year, she does make a new best friend, enter a science fair, play a Munckin in the Wizard of Oz and win fourth place in a national writing contest with her entry The Ugly Vegetables.
The anecdotes related by her parents help Pacy, (known as Grace at school) connect with her Taiwanese heritage, give her insight into their lives as children in Taiwan and give her a solid basis for problem solving. The delightful line drawings add to the story's appeal. Follow the instructions on page 2 and you can learn to make a dog out of the number 5!
Awards nominated: Bluestem Nominee 2011
Date read: 4/26/2010
ISBN-10: 0316060003
ISBN-13: 9780316060004
Check the library catalog