The Year of the Dog

The Year of the Dog. by Grace Lin. (2006). 134p. New York: Little Brown.

Awards and Honors:  2006 ALA Children's Notable, 2006 Asian Pacific American Librarian Association Honor, 2006 NYPL 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing, 2006 Kirkus Best Early Chapter Books, Booklist Editors' Choice for Middle Readers

Review: 

A lighthearted and semi-autobiographical coming-of-age story for young readers, The Year of the Dog was Grace Lin's first novel for children. The book tells the story of Pacy Lin, a Taiwanese-American girl growing up in upstate New York. Pacy's story begins and ends with a Chinese New Year celebration, marking a year in her life as she makes a new best friend, navigates her cultural identity, and discovers her talents.
 

Opinion:

This is a charming story for young tweens, especially those who are growing up in two cultures. Lin intersperses the novel with small, illustrations which will appeal to young readers. Although cultural identity is a serious topic, Lin has a wonderfully comic touch that makes this a lighthearted and fun story. 

Ideas:
This book is a great choice for Chinese New Year displays, and a must for libraries that serve Asian communities of any size.