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daumari's review against another edition
5.0
More historical fiction with ABCs! Boarding school hijinks!Genuinely good female friendships, and a mean girl who doesn't twirl her mustache and becomes a fully developed person!
I am delighted to live in an era of #ownvoices work that include expanding to periods of history people just aren't as aware of- especially under the current administration I feel like I repeatedly bring up the Chinese Exclusion Act and smaller state-level laws that were designed to box in 'undesirable' immigrants, and here it is, right on the page (my other longtime favorite historical YA is Laurence Yep's [b:The Traitor|25261|The Traitor (Golden Mountain Chronicles, #4)|Laurence Yep|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348823964s/25261.jpg|2675977] about the Rock Springs massacre). We were the first people this country legally denied on the basis of nationality, but thanks to the persistence of some, there are families like mine with long roots.
Mercy Wong is tough and persistent- in 1906 when women's worth is largely still defined by marriageability and having children, Mercy finds a book about becoming a businesswoman and dreams of having a global tea-shipping empire. But, as educational opportunities are limited for Chinese, especially girls, she plans on entering the illustrious St. Claire's school for girls. She's admitted, but only if she pretends to be a Chinese heiress which leads to some hilarity as students & faculty ask her about China... when, as someone born here, she has no idea what it's actually like.
Once the earthquake hits, we genreshift a bit into survival mode and don't shy away from the tragedy and chaos, but with a satisfying ending. I do wonder if Stacey Lee will write a historical fiction in the future dealing with the aftermath: because the records for Chinese Americans burned in this earthquake's fires, many illegally immigrated as 'paper sons', claiming that they were born here but their birth certificates were burned. Immigration officials countered this by detaining would-be children and grilling them and their alleged parent for days, corroborating interview answers checking for slipups on # of stairs in a house, who your neighbors were, etc. I really would love to see some Paper Children historical fic, because there's so much drama you can play with while also tying to modern concerns.
I am delighted to live in an era of #ownvoices work that include expanding to periods of history people just aren't as aware of- especially under the current administration I feel like I repeatedly bring up the Chinese Exclusion Act and smaller state-level laws that were designed to box in 'undesirable' immigrants, and here it is, right on the page (my other longtime favorite historical YA is Laurence Yep's [b:The Traitor|25261|The Traitor (Golden Mountain Chronicles, #4)|Laurence Yep|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348823964s/25261.jpg|2675977] about the Rock Springs massacre). We were the first people this country legally denied on the basis of nationality, but thanks to the persistence of some, there are families like mine with long roots.
Mercy Wong is tough and persistent- in 1906 when women's worth is largely still defined by marriageability and having children, Mercy finds a book about becoming a businesswoman and dreams of having a global tea-shipping empire. But, as educational opportunities are limited for Chinese, especially girls, she plans on entering the illustrious St. Claire's school for girls. She's admitted, but only if she pretends to be a Chinese heiress which leads to some hilarity as students & faculty ask her about China... when, as someone born here, she has no idea what it's actually like.
Once the earthquake hits, we genreshift a bit into survival mode and don't shy away from the tragedy and chaos, but with a satisfying ending. I do wonder if Stacey Lee will write a historical fiction in the future dealing with the aftermath: because the records for Chinese Americans burned in this earthquake's fires, many illegally immigrated as 'paper sons', claiming that they were born here but their birth certificates were burned. Immigration officials countered this by detaining would-be children and grilling them and their alleged parent for days, corroborating interview answers checking for slipups on # of stairs in a house, who your neighbors were, etc. I really would love to see some Paper Children historical fic, because there's so much drama you can play with while also tying to modern concerns.
adventuresinfictionland's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
ambersbooks's review against another edition
I’ll finish when I have time to get it back from the library.
booknerd98's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.5
wyll's review against another edition
emotional
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
steph01924's review against another edition
5.0
Everything about this book was great. This is one of those books I would've loved as a teen, and I still love now, and everything just feels well-written and well thought out. Ms. Lee writes in great female friendships once again, and such heartfelt characters. This made me laugh, made me cry, made me read up on the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Stacey Lee's books have quickly become must-reads to me!
coffeelitmama's review against another edition
4.0
I thought this book was good, it's been a while since I've read a historical fiction. The plot was a little slow, but I enjoyed Mercy's character- her determination, perseverance, & headstrong attitude during such a trying time were inspiring. She always found a way to get through challenges, I loved the wise quotes from her mother throughout the book. I really enjoyed how her way of positive thinking impacted the other girls in the book, how it changed their way of thinking (and acting) too. Overall an enjoyable read.
pigonthemoon_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
adalton's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0