Culture 5 Asian Pacific American Literature

 

Culture 5 Asian Pacific American Literature

A. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Say, Allen. 2011. DRAWING FROM MEMORY. New York, NY: Scholastic Press. ISBN 9780545176866.

B. PLOT SUMMARY
This is the story of how award-winning author and illustrator Allen Say got started.  From birth to 16 years old, Allen Say lived in Japan.  He loved drawing and wanted to be a famous cartoonist.  His parents were not very supportive, especially his father.  Say decided to keep drawing despite this.  After taking a chance and seeking out Noro Shinpei, Japan’s leading cartoonist for mentorship, Allen Say learned a great deal about drawing and becoming an artist.  Ultimately the risks Allen Say makes while in Japan put him on a trajectory which leads him down the path he wants to travel in life.

C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS (INCLUDING CULTURAL MARKERS)
The author writes an autobiography that details his life until age 16.  This autobiography contains text, drawings, sketches, and photographs.  Illustrations are both in black and white and color throughout the book.  All of the photographs are black and white.  The book is like a nonfiction autobiographical comic book.  The various forms of visuals capture the distinct facial features of the people, the clothing of the time, and the surroundings including buildings and nature.  Allen Say also includes a sketch that is believed to be of Noro Shinpei’s first wife.  Shinpei’s own family photos were destroyed, and his children had no memory of their mother.  This is the only sketch of her.  After learning of this, Allen Say drew a picture of her from memory and included it in this book.

The author tells the story from the point of view of his child self.  He was born in Japan in 1937 just before war broke out.  He describes moving with his mother to another village when bombs were dropped in his city and leaving his father behind.  He also describes the demise of his parent’s marriage and how the adults in his family felt about his obsession with drawing. 

Allen Say uses Japanese words and phrases to describe how moments in his life played out at that time.  The word sensei which means teacher is used a lot to describe Master Noro.  Portions of the comic strip the author worked on at that time is included in its original Japanese language.

The Japanese culture of that time appeared to be present throughout the book.  The author told his story from his child perspective.  It was very interesting to see how he took risks and found ways to position himself in situations that allowed him to gain experience and knowledge of the craft that he loves.

D. REVIEW EXCERPTS
Oregon Spirit Book Award for Nonfiction

Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award Nominee

Sibert Medal Nominee

Publishers Weekly: “Say's account of his relationship with Noro (who later called Say "the treasure of my life") is the centerpiece of the narrative. As the story of a young artist's coming of age, Say's account is complex, poignant, and unfailingly honest. Say's fans—and those who also feel the pull of the artist's life—will be captivated.”

School Library Journal: “Readers of all ages will be inspired by the young Say's drive and determination that set him on a successful career path.”

E. CONNECTIONS
Write an autobiographical story about an interaction with your parents.  It can be positive or negative.

Look for these other books by Allen Say:
Say, Allen. GRANDFATHER’S JOURNEY. ISBN 0395570352
Say, Allen. TREE OF CRANES. ISBN 0395520246
Say, Allen. THE BICYCLE MAN. ISBN 0395506522

 

 

 

 

 

 

A. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Kadohata, Cynthia. 2006. KIRA-KIRA. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9780689856402.

B. PLOT SUMMARY
A Japanese family from Iowa moves to Georgia in the 1950s.  The two daughters, Katie and Lynn are very close.  They are best friends that enjoy laying on the grass and looking up at the sky.  Kira-kira is the phrase they use to describe the sky and all things they deem beautiful.  Kira-kira means glitter in Japanese.  Their lives seem kira-kira until Lynn, the older sister falls ill.  The family adjusts to life around her illness and do the best they can to help her get well.

C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS (INCLUDING CULTURAL MARKERS)
The author tells of a typical family for this time.  A married mother and father and their children.  The father leads the family, the mother takes care of the home, but she also works so that they can buy a home.  Mrs. Takeshima does not work as many hours as her husband. 

The story is told by Katie, the main character and youngest daughter.  She describes her relationship with each member of the family.  Dad is a strong hard-working man, a good provider and head of the family.  Mom is a good homemaker and the disciplinarian.  She is hard-working like dad.  Her dream is to own a house.  Lynn, the oldest child, loves her family.  She gets good grades and takes care of ther younger siblings until she falls ill and no longer can.  Finally, there is Sam.  Sam is the youngest child.  He loves Katie, secretly she is his favorite.  He was born after the family moved to Georgia.  Katie loves taking care of him.

Katie is learning her way in the world, specifically through talks she has with Lynn.  Lynn explains to her that when she goes to school other students may treat her different.  She quickly learns what it is like to be one of 33 Japanese Americans in the town.  This story delves into how Japanese Americans were treated in the 1950s and the discrimination they endured because of physical and cultural differences.

Eventually Katie meets Silly, and they become best friends.  Silly is a white girl who is poor.  Her dad died and her mother provides for the family and works at the same factory as Katie’s mom.  Katie helps Silly by allowing her to fill up jugs of water every time she visits since her family does not have running water.

Katies and her sister Lynn are the only Japanese girls in their respective classes.  They wear their hair in short curls.  This was the style for their culture during this time.

The family mostly eats rice and sardines.  They rarely eat out.  This appears to be more because they are saving for a house or doing other important things with their money rather than their culture.

The Japanese community in this town is very close.  Auntie and Uncle help when Lynn gets sick.  A neighbor helps with babysitting.  Another family allows the children to come over and watch television.  There is talk of New Year’s celebration and parties.

There are white people in the town who are kind to the family.  When Sam gets his leg caught in an animal trap, a gentleman drives them to the hospital and stays until he knows that Sam is okay.  The parents buy the man a watch as a token of their appreciation.

The death of Lynn is filled with cultural rituals.  The mom has Katie clip Lynn’s fingernails and toenails.  She has Katie go through the trash for old newspapers and anything that would remind the mother of Lynn.  The mom collects strands of Lynn’s hair.  These things are collected to build an altar.  The author explains the Buddhis ritual.

This story is full of Japanese American cultural references.  It gives an authentic look into what it is like for a working-class family during this time in history.  We see their struggles, their sorrow and also their joy.  Nothing in their lives is perfect, we see how they work together to get through life as a family.

D. REVIEW EXCERPTS

Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature for Youth Literature

Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award Nominee
Newberry Award Medal

Publishers Weekly: “This novel shine[s].”

Booklist: “Will speak to readers who have lost someone they love or fear that they could.”

E. CONNECTIONS
Students should describe or draw a picture of what they would put on their own alter to be remembered by.

Other books for young people about by Cynthia Kadohata:
Kadohata, Cynthia. THE THING ABOUT LUCK. ISBN 1416918825
Kadohata, Cynthia. HALF A WORLD AWAY. ISBN 1442412755
Kadohata, Cynthia. A PLACE TO BELONG. ISBN 1481446649

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Lin, Grace. 2009. WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE MOON. New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company. ISBN 9780316114271.

B. PLOT SUMMARY
Minli a young girl who lives in a village where was a shade of faded brown.  The land there was hard and poor.  Minli’s family was in need of some good fortune, so Minli set out to find some.

C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS (INCLUDING CULTURAL MARKERS)
This story is described as an adventurous Chinese folklore or fantasy.  There are stories within this story.  This story does not essentially have a distinct beginning, middle or end.  It just kind of flows in all different directions that interconnect. 

Unlike other folk tales, the parents are present and active in this story.  They are not dead are inactive.  They play an integral part in the life and well-being of Minli.  This appears to be part of Chinese culture. Other Chinese cultural references include growing and eating rice, the presence of dragons and other mythical creatures. 

Minli is a strong courageous character that is not without flaws.  She makes mistakes along the way and sets out to correct them and make things right the best way she can.  She appears to take the approach of ask forgiveness rather than ask permission when she embarks on her journey to find the Old Man of the Moon. 

There are beautiful colorful drawings throughout the book.  Although not a picture book, there are drawings of Minli, goldfish bowls, rice bowls, trees, dragons, rice bowls, the mountains, and others to depict the activity in the book.  The drawings are colorful and distinctly capture the Chinese culture.

D. REVIEW EXCERPTS
Josette Frank Award

Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children’s Literature

Newberry Medal Nominee

School Library Journal: “…  captures the emotion of the tale and wisely makes no distinction between the events Minli experiences and the stories she hears, making this richly imagined and compassionate story shine.”


E. CONNECTIONS
Draw an illustration of your interpretation of the Old Man of the Moon.

Companion novels to this book include:
Lin, Grace. STARRY RIVER OF THE SKY. ISBN 0316215538
Lin, Grace. WHEN THE SEA TURNED TO SILVER. ISBN 0316125925

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Park, Linda Sue. 2004. THE FIREKEEPER’S SON. New York, NY: Clarion Books. ISBN 0618133372.

B. PLOT SUMMARY
Sang-hee’s father has a very important job.  He is the firekeeper in the village.  The king knows that all is well when he sees the fire from one mountain top to the next.  Sang-hee’s father’s fire is the first one to signal all is well.  We find out what happens when one day Sang-hee’s father is impaired from performing this task.

C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS (INCLUDING CULTURAL MARKERS)
This story is set in Korea in the early 1800s.  The beautiful watercolor illustrations give way to great detail of landscapes including mountains, a village, grass plains, trees and the ocean.  The colors predominantly used are blues, greens and browns.  The humans in the illustrations have clothing that look to be customary of the time and culture complete with shoes and hats.  The details of the facial features and dark hair of the characters clearly and distinctly show Korean characters. 

The text tells the story of what Sang-hee’s father’s job is, how it is to be carried out, and why.  The author also explains what is to happen if the job is not fulfilled.  Sang-hee starts to wonder about this.  He knows that if the fire is not set, the king will take this as a sign that there is danger and all is not well in the village and will send soldiers to defend the land.  Sang-hee wants to see the soldiers.  When his father is unable to fulfill his duty and it falls to him, he hesitates because he really wants to see the soldiers.  This is a dilemma that Sang-hee has for a moment.  He ultimately decides to set the fire. 

This story is simply told and beautifully illustrated.  It displays the pride and honor one takes in doing a job that benefits all and the pride a son takes in his father for being honorable.  The father models loyalty to the village and the son fulfills it when the father cannot.

D. REVIEW EXCERPTS
Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature for Picture Book

Irma Black Award Nominee

Publishers Weekly: “Suspenseful...Assured, empathetic storytelling involves readers in Sang-hee's inner conflict...Downing amplifies the tension with dramatically composed watercolor-and-pastel illustrations ...fascinating.”

Booklist: “…handsome, watercolor-and-pastel double-page pictures personalize the history...panoramic views...as the boy tends the flame that preserves peace.”

School Library Journal: “...compelling...Lyrical prose... Children will be intrigued...caught up in the riveting dilemma and satisfied by the resolution."

E. CONNECTIONS
In the story, Sang-hee must take on the responsibility of lighting the fire.  Describe a time when you were asked to take on a responsibility that was not yours, what happened.

Other books by Linda Sue Park:
Park, Linda Sue. THE ONE THING YOU’D SAVE. ISBN 9781328515131
Park, Linda Sue. THE THIRD GIFT. ISBN 9780547201955
Park, Linda Sue. BEE-BIM BOP! ISBN 9780547076713
Park, Linda Sue. GONDRA’S TREASURE. ISBN 9780544546691