Customer Reviews

The Secret Voice of Gina Zhang (American Girl (Paperback Unnumbered))

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Secret Voice of Gina Zhang is a sensitive tale of a young girl struggling to reconcile two cultures. Having recently moved to the U.S. from China, Gina is faced with starting a new school and learning a new language. We share the fear and embarrassment of the first days in her ESL class where she knows no one and understands nothing. Gradually, Gina finds a friend, and learns enough English to understand her new culture. This book deals with the subjects of loneliness, chilhood friendship, and changing cultures in a compelling, thoughtful way. As a Middle School librarian, I would suggest this book to 5th, 6th, or 7th grade teachers to recommend to their students.

This is a remarkably informative novel, full of inspiration and help to the thousands of children who have moved to the USA in the last decade. Dear Abby had a good example in her column Nov. 1 on how a wonderful teacher dealt with a bewildered non English speaking student by gaining the child's confidence which led to the little girls happiness and success in becoming a good student by learning English through a loving and caring teacher. Girls will love this book because of good story telling and uthe author's use of imagination and fantasy to reach a happy ending.It's good guess work for the student reading the book to try to figure out how the story will end. Submitted by Letitia Sherman of La Jolla, Ca. USA

The Secret Voice of Gina Zhang is a story about a 12 year old girl who travels from China to live in America. She does not know a single word in English. It was interesting because it makes you want to know how in the world Gina is going to speak English. I was glad when Gina met a friend, Priscilla, and life became easier for her beacuse she learnt a lot ofEnglish words from her. I think this is a good book because it makes me think that I can help kids from other countries in my school.

I enjoyed this book because it was about a girl "Gina" who came to America not knowing any English. At school she could not talk at all in Chinese or English. Gina has a great imagination and she doesn't want anybody else to know about it. She meets a girl " Priscilla" and they become friends and she helps Gina. The adventure and suspense of what's going to happen next keeps the pages turning.

This book is very touching. It's about a young girl who's just moved to America and isn't sure if she'll survive or make friends. And that's until she meets Priscilla, a girl who befriends her and they become stuck together like glue. Readers of all ages will enjoy this short, fast-paced book.

"The Secret Voice of Gina Zhang" is an important book for children and adults alike to read. In America, we have so many cultures living side by side, it's important for us to attempt to understand one another. Dori Jones Yang successfully creates a book that is enjoyable, educational, and inspiring. I feel many people will enjoy this book because they can relate to, in one way or another, the main character Jinna. After moving to Seattle from China, Jinna (Gina as she is dubbed in English), finds herself unable to communicate in school. Not only can she not understand and speak English, but she finds herself unable to speak AT ALL. Soon after, Gina is befriended by another class outcast, Priscilla, and both children are able to overcome their anxieties and issues with the help of each other's friendship. This is an excellent, inspiring book. I hope to read more books by Dori Jones Yang in the future.

The Secret Voice of Gina Zhang is one book that you cannot put down. All though in the beginning, it is sort of boring, once you get through a few chapters, you will not stop reading it until you finish.

This book deserved 200 stars. I loved it the from the moment i started reading it. It is masterful and wonderful. It is appropriate for a large range of ages (i would say from 8 to 15). The suspense is wonderful, and the ending is MARVELOUS! At the beginning, it may seem a bit dull, but if you read on to the 3 or 4th chapter, you will fall in love and not be able to put this book dowm. The plot is remarkable, and it always seems to have you waiting to see how this wonderfully creative girl will solve new problems. Read this book, and see how GREAT it really is for yourself.

Dori Yang's ten years in Asia provide her with a rich treasury of Chinese customs. She brings a Chinese family to America and spins exciting yarns. Ms. Yang weaves a colorful tapestry of fantasy, reality, suspense-even desperation. Ultimately, frightening faces become warm and friendly. The language is appropriate and readable for students who need to learn English very quickly. It is an engaging book and important to all students especially to those struggling with our language.

As a mother, I thought this book educated my daughter and myself about how an exchange student or one who comes to live permanently finds the U.S. so overwhelming. We can only imagine what goes through their minds, and now we know, through the eyes and thoughts of Gina. The story also models what true friendship should be. The character Priscilla is a gem.