Face in My Mirror [Mass Market Paperback]

Maureen Wartski (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 31, 1994

As an infant, Mai was adoped straight off a boat from Hong Kong by Leo and Vivian Houston in Serena, Iowa. Now, at fifteen, a painful racial incident spurs her to find out more about her Vietnamese roots. The search takes her to Boston, where Mai's biological aunt, Lien Van Tranh, owns a restaurant. But her aunt proves to be less than cordial. Now Mai is more confused than ever, and the worst is yet to come . . .

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Though hampered by an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink plot and unimaginative characterizations, this well-meaning novel engages the reader by virtue of its sheer earnestness. Adopted as an infant and raised by a loving, supportive family in nearly lily-white Serena, Iowa, Mai has given little thought to her Vietnamese biological mother or her cultural heritage. But after she is assaulted by graffiti-spraying racists, Mai becomes obsessed with finding out whatever she can about her parents. Conveniently enough, Mai's biological aunt, Lien Van Tranh, is easily located and-after a flurry of letters and phone calls-Mai is invited to spend the summer working in the aunt's Boston restaurant. In the weeks that follow, Mai, an energetic heroine, embarks on her first romance even as she confronts just about every issue even peripherally connected to her origins: illegal immigration, the immigrant work ethic, gang warfare. At last crotchety Aunt Lien reveals the true story of Mai's saintly mother ("She was so gentle.... too gentle for life"). Despite the melodrama, Wartski's story is deeply felt and often moving. Ages 11-up.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Inside Flap

As an infant, Mai was adoped straight off a boat from Hong Kong by Leo and Vivian Houston in Serena, Iowa. Now, at fifteen, a painful racial incident spurs her to find out more about her Vietnamese roots. The search takes her to Boston, where Mai's biological aunt, Lien Van Tranh, owns a restaurant. But her aunt proves to be less than cordial. Now Mai is more confused than ever, and the worst is yet to come . . .

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 10 pages
• Publisher: Fawcett (October 31, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0449704432
• ISBN-13: 978-0449704431
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,174,907 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm Maureen Wartski, writer, artist, wife, mother, grandmother; you can see that I have many of the bases covered.

I was born in Ashiya, Japan, a (then) small town which lay cradled between sea and mountains. In the evenings, we would walk along the road that ran past Osaka Bay, and a great moon would rise out of the water to turn the world to silver. I'm told that my first words were, "Big moon!"

All my life I have felt the tug to write something, draw something, put together something with fabric, string and color, and the urge to create has grown through the years.

Yuri's Brush with Magic, my new book for middle schoolers follows the adventures of a brother and sister, the magic of words, and the incredible magic of the natural world. I'd love to hear from you!

You can send me a note at: [e-mail]/ My blog is here: http://maureenwartski.wordpress.com/ Or friend me on Facebook!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars I am...., January 2, 2001

By 

Alisha (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Face in My Mirror (Mass Market Paperback)

This book has to do alot about discovering family, and mainly about one's self. The character in the book named Mai, strugged with these problems. Being half white, and half asian, as well adopted at birth, these things reflected her everyday. Though she knew she was different from her adopted family, the realization never really surfaced, untill a few racial events occured. Dumbstruck, and befounded, she yerns to know more about her family roots. She later on discovers she had an aunt Lien, living in Boston. Not knowing weather she'd be accepted, though wanted answers to her questions, she spends the summer in Boston with her biological family. During this overwheming quest, Mai slowy discovers and unveals the secrets of her past. She learns about all the hardships the family had to make. The amount of things they had to face in order to survive, as well staying strong as a famliy. Mai's visit may have brought back many painful memories, but it brought out alot from people. As well made the meaning of family, more important that you would think.

Overall, I guess what the meaning behind this book is, is that it's important to know who you are, and that family is what bonds all of us together. It's like a spiderweb. Friends, memories, even bickering is what keeps it strong, and that, therefore connects the web together, making it whole.

5.0 out of 5 stars Book Talk, April 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Face in My Mirror (Mass Market Paperback)

I found this story to be pretty unique because it is written about a Vietnamese American teenager who is adopted by a Caucasian American family. She deals with racism in the small town that she lives in, majority of which who are Caucasian. From her feelings of not belonging, she goes on a journey to learn more about her Vietnamese roots. Throughout the book, the main character, Mai, is trying to learn about her past involving the mother she never knew. The book is written in a simple and personal way to where you feel close to the characters. With the author's simplistic style of writing, I believe that many young people can easily understand and get enjoyment out of it. I like the way that the author slowly revealed the secrets of Mai's past because it made me want to keep reading to find out the whole story. Other than learning the secrets of Mai's past, there are other stories in the book that are occurring at the same time which enhance the book.

5.0 out of 5 stars The Face in My Mirror is a realistic tale, April 6, 2000

By 

Renee Dennis (Columbus, Georgia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Face in My Mirror (Mass Market Paperback)

I really enjoyed the book The Face in My Mirror by Maureen Wartski because it is a realistic tale about an adopted Vietnamese-American teenager, Mai Houston, searching for her roots. She begins her quest after a racially-motivated incident against her in her small Iowa town. While she spends her summer with her aunt, Lien, and cousins in Boston, Mai at first doesn't really feel welcome, especially by Lien, who seems to be very cold to her. During this time, Mai learns secrets about members about her family and falls in love. The book is well-written and moves quickly and the revelations of secrets will keep the reader interested. The book also contains realistic depictions of racism and its effects, family relationships, teenage life, the plight of immigrants and the influence of gangs. I recommend the book for young students starting in the sixth grade.