The Jade Necklace

by Paul Yee, Grace Lin (Illustrator)

When her fisherman father is lost at sea during a typhoon and her family no longer has enough to eat, Yenyee travels to Vancouver to work as a nanny--across the ocean which she feels betrayed her.

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Paul Yee never planned to be an author but got published in 1983 and followed up with over twenty books in his area of obsession: Chinese immigrants to North America. He wrote mostly for young readers, from picture books to Young Adult fiction, as well as histories for everyone. His university degrees in history, plus working as an archivist, plunged him into researching the past. His work has been translated into French and Chinese, and used in animated films as well as stage plays. Born in small-town prairie Canada, he grew up in Vancouver, British Columbia, but Toronto tempted him away from that west coast paradise in 1988.

Reviews

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Jade Necklace by Paul Yee (goodreads author)- Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture Book- Chinese folk tale- The book narrates the story of Yeni, a Chinese girl who resides on the bank of ocean. Her father is a fisherman. Once he goes on a fishing expedition but her never to returns back. Yeni remembers that Ocean is an enemy. Her father Ba had gifted her a Jade necklace with fish engraved on it. The necklace will bring her peace. Her mother sold her boat and fishing net to a shopkeeper named Ming. Ming was about to move to Vancouver’s China town with his daughter May Jen, Ming offered that Yeni could travel with him as caretaker of his daughter. Yeni’s mother accepted. The three of them travelled to America in a ship. Yeni took care of May Jen during the ship journey as a storm was blowing. Once they reached China Town, in America both went to school. It was difficult for them to learn English still both tried. They did not mix with the children in the class because of language and new students. Once they went to a park to play. The park was near the ocean. Yeni’s cap flew in the air, she jumped to catch it but in this scuffle both girls fell in the ocean. Yeni knew how to swim, she tried to come up and people helped them come out safe. Yeni forgave the sea for taking away her father and re-newed her friendship with the sea. When they returned home, Ming was happy. Yeni requested Ming to bring her mother and brother from China to America. Ming agreed. Coloured illustrations help the reader in relating to the story. I have read the Hindi language translation of the book.

[Jean Bowen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book caught my eye at a thrift store and I was happy to find it was illustrated by Grace Lin (author of Where the Mountain Meets The Moon.) A universal story captured in the Chinese tradition. This story deals with rebuilding a life after the death of a loved one. The illustrations, like the storyline, are simple but bold. An enjoyable addition to our growing Grace Lin collection.

[The Styling Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found a book Grace Lin illustrated that I never saw before!! I was so excited to discover this title and am happy that I read it. Such a beautiful story of a girl who loses faith after her father is lost in the ocean after a typhoon and how she adjusts afterwards to poverty and moves to a new country. Beautiful story. Terrific for a provocation/discussion on loss, change, and impact on our lives by natural forces.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little girl comes to terms and forgives her father's killer, the ocean. Once she allows her heart to forgive and accept her life good things come to her, especially when she reunites with ther mother and brother. A very cute and universal story of letting go and allowing your heart to once again recieve happiness.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book takes place in an earlier time period, therefore I labeled it historical fiction. I thought this book was a good example of how to deal with death. The girls father dies in the book and it goes on to describe how she moved on with her life and eventually got over it.

[Earl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fascinating story I probably wouldn't have known about if it weren't illustrated by Grace Lin- and even then that would have been iffy since I didn't even know she had done the art in this book.