Nim and the War Effort [Hardcover]

Milly Lee (Author), Yangsook Choi (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 21, 1997 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Set in San Francisco's Chinatown during World War II

During World War II, children everywhere worked hard to help the war effort. When they organize a paper drive at Nim's school, Nim is determined to prove that she, a Chinese American, is patriot enough to collect the most papers, though she faces stiff competition from school bully Garland Stephenson and disapproval from her very traditional grandfather In this tender and funny story, Milly Lee and Yangsook Choi give us a true and glowing slice of life in San Francisco's Chinatown as spunky, resourceful Nim shows that she can be true both to her country and to her heritage.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Nim, the protagonist in this sweetly nostalgic trip to San Francisco's Chinatown of 1943, wants desperately to bring in the most newspapers for her school's paper drive-especially after a classmate takes papers that were meant for her. Her eagerness to help in the war effort (and win the contest) vie with her obedience to her Grandfather, as she riskily leaves the neighborhood to collect more papers. But her determination pays off in winning both the contest and the respect of her Grandfather for her patriotism. Lee and Choy, each making a publishing debut, are paired with enormous success: their work has a clear symbiosis. Choi paints with a soothing clarity of line and a rich palette infused with yellow, "aging" undertones. The seasoned visuals enhance Lee's text, which, while lengthy for the picture-book format, offers thought-provoking insights into Chinese American family life and the stresses of having an Asian heritage during the war with Japan. Ages 6-up.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4?Nim, a young Chinese-American girl, lives with her multigenerational family in San Francisco's Chinatown. World War II is ongoing, and she is absorbed in the last day of a competition to gather more newspapers for her school's paper drive than Garland Stephenson, the class bully. Taking her red wagon into the ritzy Nob Hill area for a last search for newsprint, Nim discovers a treasure trove of collected papers, finds a way to transport them to school, and wins the contest. The plot is well structured; the warm affection and unquestioned respect for authority in Nim's home lend even more appeal. Scenes from the family's daily life are effectively described in the narrative and illustrated in the soft contours and muted earth tones of the full-page paintings. Grandfather's morning Tai Chi practice, Grandmother's bound feet, the polite rituals of the family meal, and the scheduled lessons at Nim's late-day Chinese school all take readers into life in Chinatown in the mid-20th century. Based on the author's childhood memories, Nim's story celebrates the patriotism of Asian family members in embracing their new home and country and their efforts to maintain their cultural traditions. A fine addition.?Shirley Wilton, Ocean County College, Toms River, NJ
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR); 1st edition (March 21, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374355231
• ISBN-13: 978-0374355234
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 9.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,741,710 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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