Yep, Laurence and Yep, Dr. Kathleen. 2008. THE DRAGON'S CHILD: A STORY OF ANGEL ISLAND. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 0062018159.
2. Plot Summary
This book tells the story of ten-year-old Gim Lew Yep who has to leave his home in China to live in America with his father whom he has never met. As he meets his father, Gem Lew is overwhelmed by the American customs and ways that his father exhibits. But, perhaps what is more overwhelming to Gim Lew is leaving the only home that he has ever known to readjust his customs and ways of a land that is totally foreign and unfamiliar to him. This is particularly difficult for a young boy who has a stuttering problem and is terribly insecure about disappointing the father that he respects, yet barely knows.
3. Critical Analysis
The characters in this book are believable and identifiable to young readers due to the fact that Gim Lew is insecure, has a severe stutter, and is going to a foreign country. Many readers who have experienced having to leave one country to live in another or have ever had a stuttering problem, may directly identify with Gim Lew.
The best aspect of this story is that the history is accurately presented and not sugar-coated. It displays the loss of self-identity that many Chinese immigrants may have experienced while having to migrate to America for work. However, it is presented in a tone and word usage that is easy for children to understand. The plot is not overwhelmed by details. Yep saves the details of the history behind this story for the end in an added chapter, "More About Chinese American Immigration". This particular section of the book ensures the book's authenticity with thorough research and a bibliography of cited sources to support the information presented. It also demonstration a healthy balance of fact and fiction.
Perhaps the most integral part of the story was the presentation of different settings and their impact on Gim Lew. Each main setting represents a certain emotion for Gim Lew. For example, China represents familiarity and comfort for Gim Lew while the journey to the land of the Golden Mountain represents sadness, loneliness, and despair for him as he approaches a land and a life that is unfamiliar to him.
The style of the book does not necessarily reflect the author's voice and manner. Instead, it captures the voice of Gim Lew, who iis the book's protagonist and narrator (the book is written in first person point-of-view).
4. Review Excerpts
School Library Journal-"Told in Gim's very convincing voice, the tale captures the profound loss he feels at leaving his home as well as his determination to make his father proud of him."
Booklist-"With family photos, a historical note, and a long bibliography, this stirring narrative will spark readers' own search for roots."
5. Connections
One great activity to have in relation to this book is to have children (ages 8 and up) compose a short story as if they are leaving their home for a new one. Tell them that they may take only one small suitcase with them. Then have them ask themselves the following questions in the short story:
- Where would you go?
- What items would you take with you?
- Who would you want to accompany you on this journey?
- Why would you want to go to this new place?
- How would you feel about leaving home?
(Activity courtesy of http://www.teachervision.fen.com/tv/printables/harpercollins/dragons-child_rg.pdf)
Other great reads about the Chinese immigrants' journey on Angel Island may include:
- Currier, Katrina. KAI'S JOURNEY TO GOLD MOUNTAIN: AN ANGEL ISLAND STORY. ISBN 0966735242.
- Flanagan, Alice K. ANGEL ISLAND (WE THE PEOPLE: INDUSTRIAL AMERICA SERIES). ISBN 0756517249.
- Lai, Him Mark, et.al. ISLAND: POETRY AND HISTORY OF CHINESE IMMIGRANTS ON ANGEL ISLAND 1910-1940. ISBN 0295971096.
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