Pie-Biter [Hardcover]

Ruthanne Lum McCunn (Author), You-Shan Tang (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up

In the nineteenth century, a young Chinese comes to the United States to work on the railroad and develops a fondness for pies that becomes legendary.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...Legends about Pie-Biter's exploits and his business acumen keep the reader engrossed in his life. Painting illustrate the book handsomely." -- Publishers' Weeks

"A valuable tribute to the pioneer work of the Chinese American community." -- School Library Journal

1984 American Book Award -- Before Columbus Foundation --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Chinese --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 34 pages
• Publisher: Design Enterprises of (September 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0932538096
• ISBN-13: 978-0932538093
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,447,108 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ruthanne Lum McCunn, an Eurasian of Chinese and Scottish descent, was hailed by the Dallas Times in 1985 as "an American-Chinese author of remarkable talent." Her work, which has won many awards, has been translated into eleven languages, published in twenty-two countries, and adapted for the stage and film.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Multicultural Legend is 5-Star Book, especially for Boys, December 11, 2001

By 

Blanziflor (Minnetonka, MN USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pie-Biter (English, Chinese and Spanish Edition) (Hardcover)

This book stands out as a rare find, a truly wonderful book for young boys. Most of the really interesting heroes in books for young children happen to be girls. Here is a book about a strong young man named Hoi, who works hard and loves pies. Based on a real character, he is a Chinese immigrant who has come to the American West in the late 1800s to work on the railroads. The text is in English, Chinese, and Spanish. While the book does not go into the hardships and injustices that went with the historical reality, it portrays the hero and other characters with complete goes-without-saying dignity as well as with humor and joy. The story has plenty of substance and could stand the test of many re-readings. This legend combines the traditional American tall tale (he acquires super strength from eating pies, and at one time he eats 16 pies in a row!!) with the American success story and the universal folktale of trickery. It probably has other elements from Chinese literature that I am missing. The hero triumphs by hard work, a good attitude, cleverness, and, of course, eating lots of pie!! The success story has a slightly different twist to it: he does not stay in America but fulfills his dreams by returning to China and, we are led to believe, opening pie shops.

The illustrations portray the joy, strength, and beauty of the subject. The authors and artist have produced one of the all-time best children's books, and a must-have for boys.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is good for boys AND GIRLS, April 30, 2006

By 

Katrina Elizabeth "Kat" (Van Alstyne. Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pie-Biter (English, Chinese and Spanish Edition) (Hardcover)

Okay, in my opinion this book is good for boys AND GIRLS.

Hoi is a young man from China who is brought to America and given a job building the railroads. As the days go by, he gets hungrier because he only gets a meal of rice two times a day. The boss won't let him eat rice while building the railroads (because "you cannot hold a bowl, chopsticks, and pick axe too"), so Hoi begans to eat pies and earns the nickname, "Pie-Biter."

As the years go by, Hoi finishes building the railroad, goes into business with his friend Spanish Louie, and finally goes back to China where he spreads his love of American pies with the Chinese.