In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson (Paperback)

~ (Author), Marc Simont (Illustrator) "In the Year of the Dog, 4645, there lived halfway across the world from New York a girl called Sixth Cousin..." (more)
Key Phrases: Jackie Robinson, Fourth Cousin, Precious Coins (more...)

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

"A ten-year-old Chinese girl, Bandit Wong, emigrates to America [in 1947] and assimilates into the Chinese-American Shirley Temple Wong. After earning the friendship of the toughest girl in the class, she is included in the playground stickball games and becomes a loyal fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Poignant but outrageously humorous." -- SLJ.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; P edition (September 25, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064401758
• ISBN-13: 978-0064401753
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (61 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #155,881 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

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

A Kid's Review

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!

11 of 12 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

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!!!!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A thought-provoking book, October 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: A Guide for Using In the Year of the Boar & Jackie Robinson in the Classroom (Paperback)

I am currently using this book as part of our guided reading program here in an inner-city school in San Antonio, Texas. Though the book is well-written, my class of students were concerned that Chinese-Americans would be offended by this book. Some of the things they discussed in class was why the main character was named "Bandit." To them, this name connotates a bad person or a thief. Also, they expressed concerned that prior to her going to America, her family insisted on her picking an American name - Shirley Temple. One of my students asked why she didn't pick a traditional Chinese name. To them, it appeared that the family was abandoning their Chinese customs in favor of America's customs. Despite that fact that my students have raised some interesting and thought-provoking questions, the book does challenge the reader to compare and contrast Chinese and American customs. In addition, this is an excellent book to have a dialogue on racial and cultural tolerance here in America.