Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dream [Hardcover]

Jenny Han (Author), Julia Kuo (Artist)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 4, 2011 | Age Range: 8 and up | Lexile Measure: 600L (What's this?)

Clara Lee knows exactly what she likes: her best friends, her grandpa, kimchi, candy necklaces, and her dream of becoming the next Little Miss Apple Pie.

Clara Lee knows exactly what she doesn't like: when her little sister is being annoying, her mom's fish soup, bad dreams (but Grandpa says they mean good luck), and speaking in front of lots of people (but she'll have to do it for the pageant).

After a bad dream, will Clara Lee's luck change for the better? Can she overcome her fear of speaking in public and win Little Miss Apple Pie?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 2-4-Clara Lee has a terrible nightmare in which her grandfather dies. It terrifies her until her grandfather explains that in Korea, when someone dreams about death, it means a new beginning and good luck. Great things begin to happen to her. She can climb the rope in P.E., her friend gives her gingersnaps, and someone has hidden a candy necklace in her desk. All of the good fortune makes her feel confident enough to give a speech to win Little Miss Apple Pie and the Apple Blossom Festival. Because of her Korean heritage, however, some children make her feel as though she is not American enough to win the title. In the end, though, Clara Lee proves that she is "American as apple pie." She deals with some bullying, her friend Max who wants to be her boyfriend, and her annoying little sister. Young readers will enjoy Clara Lee's hopeful demeanor and funny experiences. They will also learn about Korean culture. Clara Lee thinks, speaks, and acts just like the third grader she is in this charming early chapter book. Black-and-white drawings, some full page and some spot art, feature the child, her dilemmas, and her successes. Fans of Clementine will enjoy this endearing character and will eagerly await a follow-up story.-Kris Hickey, Columbus Metropolitan Library, OH (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

From Booklist

In the tradition of Judy Moody and Clementine comes Clara Lee. Clara is a typical third-grader who neatly combines her Korean and American sides. Her warm, supportive family includes a grandfather who is always there for her, especially when she decides to pursue her dream of being Little Miss Apple Pie, riding in the float in her town’s apple festival. In a plot that will resonate with kids, Clara is scared when she dreams her grandfather dies, but Grandfather tells her that in Korean tradition that means good luck is coming. And sure enough, Clara’s luck does take a turn for the better, with a newfound ability in gym class, a surprise present in her desk, and the courage (almost) to write the speech that could be her ticket to the apple festival. But luck has a habit of changing too, and when things aren’t going quite as well, Clara wonders if she should give up her dream. A realistic group of characters, both adults and children, and true-to-life situations will make this illustrated chapter book a favorite. Grades 2-4. --Ilene Cooper

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; 1 edition (January 4, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316070386
• ISBN-13: 978-0316070386
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.8 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,323,855 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

(What's this?)

#88 in Books > Teens

#88 in Books > Teens

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars 'Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dream:' Sweeter than Apple Pie December 14, 2011

By cyrenagasse

Format:Hardcover

Clara Lee is a little girl with a big dream. When a bad dream turns out to mean good luck, it gives Clara Lee the boost of confidence she needs to pursue her dream of trying out for Little Miss Apple Pie, even if it means giving a speech in front of the whole school, which, mind you, isn't exactly her "cup of cocoa." When a string of not-so-lucky events sends her good luck packing, Clara Lee's confidence takes off with it, leaving her feeling mighty discouraged. But, as Clara Lee soon discovers, luck isn't something that comes and goes as it pleases; it's something you make for yourself.

In 'Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dream,' writer Jenny Han redefines what it means to be "American as apple pie." Clara Lee is what her grandfather calls an "all-American Korean American;" she embraces all aspects of her heritage. When she isn't wrestling with what it means to be an American, Clara Lee is dealing with the ups and downs of being an older sister, a friend, a daughter, and a granddaughter. Writing from Clara Lee's perspective, Han really gets inside the head of her young protagonist. If it weren't for the fact that she's a fictional character, one would think Clara Lee was a living, breathing third-grader. She's funny, she's cute, and she's as sweet as apple pie.

Julia Kuo's cover art for Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dream sparkles as brightly as Clara Lee's personality. The colors just pop! Her interior art brings the story and its characters to life. She does a phenomenal job of capturing the characters' personalities and what they are thinking and feeling in their facial expressions.

'Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dream' is a charming chapter book that readers between the ages of seven and ten are bound to enjoy.

4.0 out of 5 stars A Fun, Cute Read with a Fantastic Message for Young Readers May 17, 2011

By Mundie Moms/Mundie Kids

Format:Hardcover

Clara Lee is a fun, cute, book with wonderful illustrations and a fantastic message about being proud of who you are. Clara Lee lives with her parents, younger sister and Grandpa. She has a great imagination, a best friend and dreams of being the Apple Pie Princess. Like many kids her age, Clara learns how to enjoy the good days she has, and how to hold your head high during the bad days, when kids make fun of you, when you fight with a friend and get in trouble at home. Luckily for Clara she has wonderful parents and a Grandpa who help her make better choices and most importantly who give her the encouragement she needs to fulfill her dreams.

The most important message in Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dream is when Clara finally gets the confidence to enter the Apple Pie Dream. A mean girl tells her she's not American as Apple Pie, and that really effects her. From her family she learns that though her family heritage is Korean, she is as American as Apple Pie, she's both American and Korean, and she should be proud of that. I loved the way in which diversity played a part in this story, as many kids will be able to relate to Clara Lee. I liked learning a little bit more about the Korean culture through Clara Lee. This is a wonderful story that kids in 2nd-4th grade will enjoy. It's also one fans of Judy Moody, Junie B Jones, and Clementine may like.

4.0 out of 5 stars I love Clara Lee and this new series April 19, 2011

By DAC VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

8 yr old Clara Lee wants to be Little Miss Apple Pie for the Apple Blossom Festival. Clara Lee is scared about going for Little Miss Apple pie until her Grandpa interpret her dream, to mean good luck.

The next day everything goes right for Clara Lee. But too soon, good luck is gone. Clara Lee, gets in trouble at the dinner table and into a fight with a very good friend. Another girl who wants to be Little Miss Apple Pie tells Clara Lee she's not American enough to win.

This story was great I am going to begin bold and say this is a 2011 Newbery contender. (I know that's serious but trust me its that good)

Han's does a wonderful job with all aspects of this story. It's very well rounded. I loved Clara Lee's voice. We get to see all sides of Clara Lee. I loved Clara Lee's relationship with her Grandpa. It's very sweet.

One of the many things I loved abotu this story, its never about identity. Clara Lee embraces her Korean and American heritage. Also the author smoothly incorporates Clara Lee's fear of not being considered American enough (something many can relate to ) without making a big deal about it. Kuo's illustrations are wonderful, fitting the text perfectly and adding to the magic of the story.

There's was just such an easiness to this story that I really enjoyed. Clara Lee is one of my favorite protagonist of the year. 8 up