Pacy Lin (Grace at school) rings in the Lunar New Year with her family; she's excited for the Year of the Dog, her lucky year. And it is a lucky year: she finds a best friend, another Chinese-American girl called Melody; wins a prize for a book she writes and illustrates (The Ugly Vegetables); and participates in a science fair. The book takes place over the course of one year, with Melody's family coming to celebrate the new year with Grace's family. But as the girls make resolutions and wishes for the year to come, one of Melody's wishes makes Grace worry that Melody's family will move away.

Largely autobiographical. See also: Ruby Lu by Lenore Look, Cilla Lee-Jenkins by Susan Tan, Ramona the Brave by Beverly Cleary

Quotes

"Ja-ba, bei?" he asked us. "Have you eaten yet?"
They kept asking that. Grown-ups were so silly.
"We're eating RIGHT NOW!" I said.
Everyone laughed. I didn't understand why they were all laughing at me.
"What's so funny?" I demanded.
Mom explained to me that even though "Ja-ba, bei?" meant "Have you eaten yet?" it was also a Taiwanese way of just saying, "How are you doing?"
"It's because food is so important to us," Uncle Leo told me. "Everything is about food." (42)

I didn't realize that my good luck would be her bad luck. I didn't know what to do. (51)

"It's not fair. To Americans, I'm too Chinese, and to Chinese people, I'm too American. So which one am I supposed to be?"
"Neither and both," Mom told me. "You don't have to be more one than the other, you're Chinese-American."
"Or Taiwanese-American," I complained. "It's so confusing." (106) ( )

Cute ( )

Lots of lessons to learn in this lovely story; I think I'll read more of Grace Lin's books. ( )

Much of this story is based on the author's own childhood experiences, per the author's note.

Pacy/Grace lives where there are few other Chinese or Taiwanese families. She struggles with the differences: what to audition for in the school play, food, and holidays celebrated. Then Melody joins her class. They become fast friends, and the families can share holidays and more. Meanwhile, Pacy is trying to find what she's good at. Science? Acting? Art? It's the Year of the Dog, which her mom says is the time to find yourself.

A good story for elementary-aged kids who are the "only" in their classroom. Also good for kids who are not, to help them learn empathy and what others may struggle with. ( )

Elementary schooler Pacy Lin begins the Year of the Dog by celebrating Chinese (Lunar) New Year with her family. After eating a lot of delicious food, Pacy's mom lets her know that the Year of the Dog is all about good luck and finding your talents. Pacy decides to set out on a quest to discover her talents. After the celebration, Pacy goes back to school and meets the new student at her school, Melody, who is the only other Asian-American student at the school. Together, Pacy and Melody work hard to discover their talents, all the while learning more about their culture and their identities as Chinese and Taiwanese Americans. Pacy faces a lot of obstacles and difficulties, especially since she does not feel completely Asian or completely American. This book is an excellent book for Asian-American students because it represents young Asian-Americans in a positive light and provides other positive Asian role models for students to look up to. ( )