In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson [Paperback]

Bette Bao Lord (Author), Marc Simont (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 25, 1986 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

Shirley Temple Wong sails from China to America with a heart full of dreams.Her new home is Brooklyn, New York. America is indeed a land full of wonders, but Shirley doesn't know any English, so it's hard to make friends. Then a miracle-baseball-happens. It is 1947, and Jackie Robinson, star of the Brooklyn Dodgers, is everyone's hero. Jackie Robinson is proving that a black man, the grandson of a slave, can make a difference in America and for Shirley as well, on the ball field and off, America becomes the land of opportunity.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3–6—Ten-year-old Bandit is excited when her grandfather announces to the family that she will be going with her mother to join her father in America. She must leave her clan and the only life she has known in China, but she is sure that moving to America will be an adventure. To celebrate, she chooses a new name—Shirley Temple Wong. Life in America is not easy because everything is new and Shirley doesn't speak English. She is ignored by her classmates until she gains the respect of the toughest girl in class. Shirley learns to love baseball and begins to play stickball. It's 1947, and Jackie Robinson of the Brooklyn Dodgers is everyone's hero, proving that a black man can play baseball as well as anyone. Slowly Shirley learns about the opportunities available to her in America and begins to make true friends. Bette Bao Lord's wonderfully humorous story (Harper, 1984) shows what it means to be an American from the eyes of a spunky young immigrant. It will touch the hearts of listeners. Melissa Hughes authentically narrates all the voices, including many accents and ages. This story will be enjoyed on many levels.—Teresa Wittmann, Westgate Elementary School, Edmonds, WA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Review

“Poignant but outrageously humorous.” (School Library Journal )

“Lord writes with a warm authenticity and sparkling humor.” (ALA Booklist )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; P edition (September 25, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064401758
• ISBN-13: 978-0064401753
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (64 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #80,319 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > Children's Books > Holidays & Celebrations > Chinese New Year
  • #20 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Multicultural Stories > Asian & Asian American
  • #23 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Issues > Moving

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Any kid would love this book that is how good it is !!!!!!!, August 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson (Paperback)

When I read this book I had to read it for school.I am glad I did ! This story takes place in New York City. Shirley Temple Wong is put in American school where eveything is different. She tryes to understand America but it`s hard because she only know`s chinese way`s.This story about and imergant chinese girl trying to make friends and trying to keep true to her chinese backround. I think people of all ages sould enjoy this book.I rate this book 5 stars.Enjoy!!!!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Book, March 16, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson (Paperback)

Wow. My sister read this book when she was my age and she said that she didn't like it that much. Well, I am the opposite of her. This book is great!

In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson is about a girl who comes to America from China in 1948 or 4646 and has to learn English and fit in with American kids. It's fun to read about her struggles with life in Brooklyn, New York.

I had to read this book for school, but do not regret it. And teachers, this book is a great book to read to your class.

So pick up this book and start reading!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars my book review, April 1, 2004

By 

B Khau (CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson (Paperback)

(...)

This book starts out in China where a young girl, named Bandit is forced to go to America. She must go because her father wants Bandit and her mother to move to America and make it their home. Bandit is not sad however, because she'll finally get to be together with her father. Bandit takes the name of Shirly Temple Wong and starts her trip to America. At first she struggles but soon, she learns to play baseball and starts making friends.

Something i like about this book is the way it is clear and understandable and also a little funny. Many people would be able to relate to some of her embarressing moments. I think the book is very understandable because there are no big words and the sentences are kept simple. I could just read through the entire book without going back to make sure i read some paragraph right."One sunny afternoon, Shirly leaned out the third story window of P. S 8 slapping the chalk from the class erasers." This quote is one of the good ones. It is clear and the author keeps it simple with enough detail to satisfy the reader.

One part that was funny, and i could relate to was when shirly got lost on her way back from the store."What a fool she was! Nothing but a fool. Utterly ashamed, she hid her face in her arms." This quote from the book describes Shirly after she is lost and gives up. I remember many times when i was young and would get lost alot and start getting scared.

My favorite part of the book was when Shirly is told to go home. She thinks that the kids hate her and want her to go home, but really they meant to get her to run to home base. It is funny how some things can be misconcieving and how people may think very differently from others.