Landed

by Milly Lee, Yangsook Choi (illustrator)

Sun is ready to leave his village in China for America, the
place known as Gum Saan, Gold Mountain. His father warns
him, though, that passage will not be easy. Because of the 1882
Chinese Exclusion Act, new immigrants like Sun are detained
at Angel Island until they are called to take a difficult oral
exam before they can "land" - leave Angel Island and go
ashore. On the boat, Sun had studied maps of his village and
memorized facts about his ancestors. But as the weeks pass in
detainment, the map's compass points swirl in his memory, and
Sun worries that he will lose his direction and be turned away.
The oil paintings are rich with historical details in this vivid
recounting, based on the author's father-in-law's experiences, of
a disturbing chapter in Chinese American history.

Genres: Picture Books, Historical Fiction, Immigration, Asian American, Historical, China, Asian Literature

40 pages, Hardcover

First published February 21, 2006

Reviews

[Emily Kraus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Landed is the story is Sun, a twelve year old boy who is a Chinese immigrant coming to America. Before he starts his new life in America, he is interrogated and detained. This book is suited for readers in about grades 3-5. I chose this book for my classroom library because it shows what immigrants go through in order to come to the United States. It can open a discussion on how immigrants are often treated. Key topics and themes of this book include immigration, China, hope, family, exclusion, Angel Island, and perseverance.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Landed is a story of a Chinese family that is slowly immigrating to America. Sun, the main character is the youngest son, after turning 12 it is his turn to move to America where he is going to be reunited with his older brothers. Before Sun moves to America, Sun has to be coached in how to answer the questions of the American officers as he enters the country. The first part of Sun's journey last 22 days in a big ship that is taking them to America. Sun feels special spending so much time with his father. Sun's special time ends when Sun gets to America and is separated from his father and kept in a prison for several weeks until his name is called for questioning. In this story Sun demonstrate his determination and the sacrifice he has to endure in order to be with his family.

[Alyssa Baxter · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was about how a young boy prepared for his move to America. The text was full of details that were overwhelming and kinda boring. One page would be full of text while the other page had a illustration. The illustrations were not very appealing to me because there was not a lot expression or movement. The illustrations typically showed a conversation, which usually is not something I want to see. The text included words that more experienced readers could understand. I did not enjoy this book. Children are not likely to enjoy it either. If I were to use this book, it would be to teach my students how difficult to immigrate to America. Overall, the book dragged on due to its slow pacing. When the book finally gets exciting, it ends, which made me frustrated. More action and emotion or conflict should have been added. I wouldn’t recommend this book.

[Anjanabiswa · Rating 4 out of 5]

By Milly Lee, Illustrated by Yangsook Choi
Summary: Like his brother before him, Sun is ready to move to America, the place known as Gum Saan, Gold Mountain. His father warns him, though, that passage to America will not be easy. Because of the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act, new immigrants like Sun are detained at Angel Island, where they must pass a difficult test before they can land. In preparation, Sun studies maps of his village and memorizes facts about his house and his family. But as the test draws near, the maps' compass points swirl in his memory and Sun worries that he will lose his direction and be turned away. But Sun passed the test and lands in America.
Evaluation of Illustrations/Text: The illustrations life one page and the other has the text. The illustrations have color and detail. The text is in long paragraphs per page.
Strategies of Use in the Classroom:
Make predictions - The students can make predictions throughout the story as it is read. For example, Sun will pass his test and land in America. Or, Sun will not pass his test.
Monitor understand - Give students the historical background of the story to help them understand the passage and immigration in American.

[Bhebden Hebden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grades 3-6. I located this book on the shelves of my public library during my search for historical fiction. Landed, written by Milly Lee and illustrated by Yangsook Choi, is a historical fiction picture book based on a true Chinese immigration story in the late 1920’s from the author’s father-in-law. The father is a merchant who owns an import food goods store in San Francisco where his two eldest sons immigrated several years earlier. The protagonist, Sun, is the third son to begin the immigration process. As a result of the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act, this story expounds on the detailed questions the twelve-year old Sun was required to answer to officials once he reached Angel Island. He must remember specific facts related to the answers his father and brothers had provided the American officials upon their entry about their family, home, and village. Even though his father hired a tutor to teach particulars about extended family lineage, details about each room in their house, and the directions from his home to specific village locations, recalling the information about directions became overwhelming for Sun without his coaching pages. Sun and his father took a twenty-two day ship voyage on the SS President Taft, where his experiences were primarily positive and carefully outlined. Upon arrival, Sun’s father was allowed to disembark and enter the United States while Sun was detained on Angel Island for the interrogations. During that period in history, an immigrant could be detained for up to a year in prison like conditions. The events that ensued for Sun while detained highlight a disquieting time for Asian immigrants interned on Angel Island. The author’s note provides background historical information about Chinese immigration between the 1850’s and post WWII. Lee has written this book in a moderately straightforward reserved style. Choi’s stilted illustrations depict order and reveal quiet emotions. Earth tones with muted green and blue hues create a subdued sense of despair.

In terms of instructional uses for this book, Landed is ideal for gleaning historical background about Chinese immigration to the United Stated during the 20th century, comparing and contrasting the Chinese and European immigrations experiences, creating a historical timeline of events from the 1850’s to 1943, discussing underlying principles of immigration practices as they pertain to today’s immigration policies, and exploring reasons why people desired/chose to leave China during the time period between 1850 and 1920.

Awards Note: A Junior Library Guide selection

[Allison Fish]

1. California Book Award Silver Medal for Juvenile (2006)
2. 3-5th
3. The story tells of a boy named Sun who is traveling from China to America. It tells of the worries and hardships he has to face to get into America in a child appropriate way.
4. The entire book, although it reads like a story, is very informative. I learned a bit from when i read it as well.
5. a. lesson on what some people had to endure so they could come to another country to live.
b. Can talk about different reasons people would move and try to relate it to the students if they have moved

[M W · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a long story for a picture book, but it was an interesting look at previous American anti-Chinese immigration policies and very relevant to current events. Everyone knows about Ellis Island, but if I'd ever heard about the holding facilities on Angel Island, I'd forgotten. I appreciate that it's based on a true story.

[Makenna Eash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical Fiction
Grades 3-6
I really liked this book! I did not know much about immigration to America in the 1800s, so this book provided an engaging story about one little boy's account. I think this book had a lot of factual and historical perspective put into it. I would love to own this book and keep it in my classroom!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story. An immigration story from Angel Island.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Early reader Historical fiction. Really made me feel like I was with Sun. Amazing what they went through.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Discarded from the public library. Creepy and sad.

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chose not to read this to my class because I thought it was a bit tedious for first grade age range. Landed is based on a true story from the authors father-in-law.

[N_sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Landed" is based on a true story from the author's father-in-law. Reading this story taught me about a time in Chinese American history that I don't remember from my history classes. The main character is Sun, a twelve year old boy, living in China. His father is a Chinese merchant who owns a store in San Francisco. Sun's father wants his children to go where there are more opportunities, so as each son turns twelve, he sends them to America to work in the store. However, because of the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act, new immigrants are detained at a place called Angel Island. In order to be admitted, Sun must answer hours of detailed questions about his family, his extended family, his house in China, and his village. The questions are so detailed, they include things like how many steps it is from his home to his school. These interviews were to make sure that Sun was truly his father's child and not a "paper son." Even though Sun is truly his father's biological son, he still studies with a teacher to be sure he can answer every question. Sun is nervous, because even though he knows all the answers, he has trouble with directions like north, south, east and west. When Sun does land at Angel Island, he has to spend 4 weeks there before it is his turn to be questioned. It felt like a prison during the time he was there. During his interrogation, Sun is confident about every question until they ask him a direction question. He is worried that he has failed when they end his interview. That night, he receives a gift from his father. It is a compass. The next day when he is questioned about directions again, he pictures where the sun came up at his home and uses the compass to help him answer correctly. The next day Sun is told, "you are landed." Later that day he truly lands in San Francisco and is reunited with his father and brothers.
The best use of this book would be to teach about this time in American history. Both the writing and the illustrations felt very basic to me. Even though the story was told in a very straight forward way without much emotion from the dialogue of the characters or in the faces of the illustrations, I think it would still broaden the persepctive of upper elementary children. They would have a clearer idea of what it was like to be an immigrant at that time.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Milly Lee’s “Landed”, a 2007 Notable Children’s Trade book in the Field of Social Studies, is the story of her father-in-law, Lee Sun Chor, and his preparation for immigration from China to America at age twelve and his detention at Angel Island (San Francisco) due to the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. It is written as a story in picture book format with illustrations by Yangsook Choi. In her “Author’s Note” Lee explains how Chinese immigrants who came during the Gold Rush of the 1850’s and to work on the transcontinental railroad in the 1860’s were no longer welcome in the 1870’s and eventually restricted in immigration to “merchants, students, diplomats and tourists” after the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. Sun’s weeks in detention and multiple “interviews” (which sounded like interrogations) were due in large part to the phenomenon of “paper sons”: after records were destroyed in 1906 due to an earthquake and fire in San Francisco, some merchants claimed additional children that did not exist as a way to allow more Chinese to enter the U.S. These “paper sons” studied so that they would be able to duplicate the information provided by their “fathers” when they were questioned. Sun also had to prepare to prove that he was his father’s son. He met a “paper son” during his detention, Hop Jeong, who also shared his story with the author. Milly Lee also acknowledges a historian and an Angel Island contact and cites an Angel Island website.
Even though the book is in picture book format, young readers may not be able to grasp the historical context underlying the events of the story, which makes it appropriate for older readers (it is listed for ages 9-12). Yangsook Choi’s illustrations show Sun’s two worlds, China and the U.S., but mostly portray the “in-between”, the journey and the detention. The contrast between the journey, which involved being carried in a chair in fine clothes and the relatively relaxed atmosphere of the ship, and the detention, which involved taking off his clothes and being examined and locked in, are strikingly portrayed. This book would be the perfect accompaniment to the first chapter, “Excluded” (which is about Chinese immigration) , in Ann Bausum’s book “Denied, Detained, Deported”.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is this book incredibly similar to Grandfather's Journey? Yes, there are many similarities: most notably the cover art, both depicting a young Asian man (a boy, really), looking out of place in a Western-style suit. Unlike Grandfather's Journey, Landed is about a young boy who is coming to America under the Chinese Exclusion Act (Grandfather's Journey is about the author's grandfather coming more to visit). In terms of art (Grandfather's Journey is just stunning, Landed is more cute) and storyline, Grandfather's Journey trumps all. However, the way that this mirrors my own family history gives me a soft spot for Landed. Like the main character, my grandfather came to America by himself at a very young age (16) and was interrogated for several months at Angel Island due to the Chinese Exclusion Act. It's interesting that the main character isn't a paper son, but perhaps that would have been too bleak of a scenario for a children's picture book. In any case, I was tickled that they did discuss that situation, which was the case for my grandfather and many other Chinese immigrants at that time. This is a great book to illustrate California history.

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

From Booklist
*Starred Review* Gr. 3-5. Like Katrina Saltonstall Currier's Kai's Journey to Gold Mountain (2005), this poignant picture book is about a Chinese immigrant boy trying to join his father^B in America. But this story is much more detailed, with a lengthy text that describes leaving the old country as well as the difficulties of getting into the new one. Drawing on her father-in-law's experience, Lee tells of Sun, 12, whose family employs a tutor to help prepare him for American officials' questions. Sun must memorize minute details about his home in China to prove that he is his father's true son. Indeed, Sun is detained on Angel Island, where he is interrogated for a month, and where he makes friends with two "paper sons," who have made up identities to get into the country. The story is told with quiet restraint; there are no emotional partings from Sun's mother in China, no tearful reunions with older brothers already in California. But the tension is always there, and Choi's beautiful, full-page oil paintings, in sepia tones and shades of green, are quiet and packed with feeling--especially evident when the boy, stripped to the waist, endures the humiliating medical exam and when, dressed in suit and tie, he faces his interrogators, trying to remember his story. Pair this with Lawrence Yep's Tongues of Jade (1991) and other stories of immigrants detained on Ellis Island, terrified of being sent back. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

[Teri Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a phenomenal little book. It tells the experience of Chinese-American immigrants who came to Angel Island (near California) and the trials some faced as they waited sometimes months to enter the country. The author, Milly Lee, expertly weaves the story of a young Chinese boy in his native land, his customs and traditions, and how they are "discarded" when he boards a boat for America donning western clothing and eating American food with silverware. Lee has a particular gift of contrasting Chinese and American culture through the story's details, along with the juxtaposition of key illustrations which highlight these points. Of interest is that the story is told without excessive emotional content. Readers discover how an immigrant leaves his mother and homeland to be interrogated for hours, sometimes over several days, in order to enter this country. This story provides an extensive definition of what it meant for an immigrant to have “landed” in this country. Although this is a picture book, I would read it to my high school class because of the high quality artwork and compelling story. The fact that it is a true story would add to the interest for my students.

[babyhippoface · Rating 4 out of 5]

On his twelfth birthday Lee Sun Chor begins preparing for a move to America, where his father owns a store and his three older brothers live. But because of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, Sun must enter America through Angel Island. Before he can leave Angel Island he must be able to prove he is his father's true son by answering many, many very specific questions about his family and his home in China.

Sun studies long hours to pass the interrogations he knows will come, and he remembers most of the information easily. He only has trouble with questions about direction: which direction does his room's window face at home? Which direction is his school from his home? Which directions does the front door of the family home face? Sun cannot remember his directions, and worries he will not be "landed"--allowed off of Angel Island and into San Francisco.

This book was loaned to me by one of my library volunteers, a man of Chinese descent. He and his wife had purchased this book for their family library because his mother-in-law was landed in the United States in a fashion similar to Sun. I had never heard the term "landed" before, nor had I heard of the Chinese Exclusion Act. Very interesting story. Kids with Chinese heritage may find this of particular interest.

[MissDziura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Milly Lee's book Landed is a picture book intended for older readers. The story centers around 12 year old Sun who finds out that he will be going to America with his father, but he must learn all that he will be questioned about when he arrives. He receives help from a teacher in his town in China, and learns how many steps are from his house to his school, how many rooms are in his house, and the direction his door faces. Sun and his father embark on a long sea journey to California where Sun ends up at Angel Island. While there he learns about "Paper sons," who were boys sent to America with fake information in order to stay. After his four week stay at Angel Island, Sun is questioned and can not answer specific direction questions and he has to come back. He hopes that a gift sent by his father will allow him to "land." This is a great book that covers a period of history, the immigration of Asians, that is not found to be the subject of many books. The descriptions of life before, during and after the journey including life on Angel Island make it an excellent resource to include in a 5-8th grade classroom.

[Bryan Wilson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a moderately charming picture book about how Chinese children prepared for emigration to the United States through Angel Island. While the language is a little stilted at times, and the images lack depth, one can easily imagine the fear and apprehension that immigrants must have as they enter this country. There are many, many stories about European immigrants and their gateway through Ellis Island; this was a refreshing look at the entry of Asian immigrants.

While it would be challenging to drum up much excitement for this book, I do think it would work well for a compare and contrast study for different culture/ethnic groups and the immigration process, especially for second and third grades. This could then bridge into a larger discussion about how the majority of Americans trace their (perhaps long ago) roots outside of this country. Questions could be posed of students to investigate why people move to the U.S. and whether the American Dream is real. Some might think that would be pushing it for second- and third-graders, but I think they would welcome the challenge, and it would be interesting to hear what they have to say.

[Katey · Rating 5 out of 5]

My view on Social Studies:
I believe that social studies is the study of humans, their interactions with each other and the world around them. As teachers, we must open the eyes of our students to the diverse cultures around us. Every individual is unique and can offer something to the world.
Summary and integration of book:
This book is a story about a boy who traveled from China to America with his father. The boy must go thru Angel Island before he is allowed to the main land. We get a glimpse of what life might have been like for immigrants into the U.S. This book is a great social studies book as it is nonfiction. This story is a secondary source of events that did happen. It is also a very interesting subject to introduce students to, the study of immigration to the states.

[Dorothy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sun is ready to leave his village in China for America, the
place known as Gum Saan, Gold Mountain. Because of the 1882
Chinese Exclusion Act, new immigrants like Sun are detained
at Angel Island until they are called to take a difficult oral
exam before they can "land" - leave Angel Island and go
ashore. On the boat, Sun had studied maps of his village and
memorized facts about his ancestors. But as the weeks pass in
detainment, the map's compass points swirl in his memory, and
Sun worries that he will lose his direction and be turned away.
The oil paintings are rich with historical details in this vivid
recounting, based on the author's father-in-law's experiences. An interesting way to begin a discussion on immigration, paper sons, and the earthquake of San Francisco.

[Amanda Schwind · Rating 4 out of 5]

A citation:
Characters: Sun (Lee Sun Chor), father, Mr. Chan, Hop, Puy Gong,
Setting: China, Angel Island
Plot: Sun's father is a Chinese merchant, when his sons are old enough, they travel to America to help in their father's shop in California. Now it is Sun's turn, but he is detained for a month at Angel Island and meets Hop and Puy Gong, fellow paper sons, along the way. Lee Sun Chor must prove who he is, or he will be sent back to China.
Theme/Lesson:
Use in the classroom:
-history: immigration (Angel Island),
-history: Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, paper sons
-writing prompt (how would you answer questions about yourself to prove you are who you say you are?)
-May: “Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month”

[Yapha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent book for 4th graders studying Chinese immigration to America! When Sun turns 12, his father starts the preparations to bring him to America like his brothers. Sun's father is a merchant with a store in San Francisco and travels back and forth often. Sun must memorize everything about his family and his home so that he can prove he is truly his father's son. After the journey across the ocean in second class, Sun is held at Angel Island awaiting his interrogation. While there he befriends other boys his age and learns that they are "paper sons," pretending to be someone else in the hopes of gaining entry to Gold Mountain. A fascinating look at the immigration process on the West Coast. Recommended for grades 3-5.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting fictionalized story of how the author's father-in-law came to the U.S. as a boy from China via Angel Island, the west coast's equivalent of Ellis Island. I just wish it had been told in a livelier style. If I had not been so interested in what Lee was saying, I might have been bored. The explanatory author's note at the end was helpful in providing the context within which the story's events unfolded.
Recommended despite its weak writing style for the unique look at immigration on the west coast.

[Debbie Tanner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this story about a Chinese boy coming to America in the early part of the century. The author describes the process of how the family prepares the son for the interrogation he will face once he gets to Angel Island. There would be some great lessons on measuring here if you were interested. The author also describes what it was like to be on Angel Island without being too scary. The pictures are nice and simple, but explicit enough to help you understand the story.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

How well do you know your family? A young boy named Sun must pass a test to prove that he is his father's son before being allowed to enter America. He spends some time on Angel Island with other boys waiting for his chance to answer the questions.

Lovely story, would be a great addition to an immigration unit.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of a young Chinese boy who travels with his father to American in the 19th century. The entry into America was difficult and fraught with stress and worry. Once allowed into San Francisco at Angel Island, Sun, the 12-year-old boy in the story was Landed.

Includes an author's note about her own family's story of immigration.

[Tami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story from Angel Island perspective. Students love this book - it has a powerful message. Before reading, teach them more about Angel Island and compare and contrast how Ellis Island immigration was different.

Postcard writing activity. Students write from perspective of Angel Island or Ellis Island immigrant.

[Valarie · Rating 2 out of 5]

While this book was interesting to me as an adult, it had way too many words per page for the picture-book crowd. The plot was also slow-moving and relatively uninteresting to a child who barely has a grasp on immigration.