Three Names of Me

by Lin Wang (Illustrator), Mary Cummings

Ada has three names. Wang Bin is what the caregivers called her at her Chinese orphanage. Ada is the name her American parents gave her. And there is a third name, a name the infant Ada only heard whispered by her Chinese mother.

Genres: Adoption, Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

First published October 31, 2006

Reviews

[Shu Xiao · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wonder when did this adoption story happen, because whenever the birth mum appears in the book, she is dressed as if she is from the 1920s. I can't find any woman dressed like that in China now, and I believe women from the 1980s didn't look like that either. In the end, Ada lists what she thinks would have been different about her life if she'd grow up in China, and she says: “School would have been so much harder. I'd have to memorize all those characters with just the right kind of strokes and pieces." Wrong, Ada, for anyone who grows up in China, learning Chinese is not that hard. You know what would be hard? Learning ENGLISH.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was drawn in by the gorgeous cover illustration (it is probably the best in the book, but some others are nice, too) but the story tries WAY too hard, IMO. It's like the author set out to write a story about Chinese adoption--like there was some sort of teaching tool here that just happened to be wrapped in a story, rather than simply BEING a story and allowing the "lesson" to unfold.

[April · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't like this book.

I found the illustrations sort of creepy and distorted, but the main issue was that it made China seem like this ultra-exotic place (a place which is still apparently 100 years behind Current China in terms of clothing.)

The story was choppy, and while it brought up real issues like people staring at her and her American family (because they don't match), it weirdly glossed over that issue ("I don't like being stared at. I like hot dogs.") What?

I think the only thing of value I enjoyed from this book was the idea of naming & the value & symbolism attributed to each name.

[Nicholas King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again, this is another great book for children to read today. The book is an interesting story many children can relate to. Whether you are Asian, adopted, or just have had multiple parents (or have known someone who has had multiple parents) you can definitely relate to this book. The book is a very cute story and the illustrations almost look like photos. The main character, Ada, doesn't feel too different from everyone else around her. She also mentions how she doesn't liked to be stared at in public by others.

[Brenna Shull · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and how it showed the importance of peoples names. It reminded me of when my teachers would have us make "about me" posters. The illustrations and dedication demonstrate that this books was wrote from insider knowledge and can be used in the classroom because it is culturally correct. I would use this book in the classroom because it discusses adaption in other countries and could be helpful to my students who have been adopted.

[Stacey B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this for my diverse children's literature class.

[Hannah Holthaus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that this book was really great. It talked about a young Chinese girl who was adopted when she was a baby to an American family. This young girl, now known as Ada, has had three names throughout her young life. She knows that her birth mother, someone far away in China, whispered her first name in her ear at the hospital when she was born but she does not remember it. Her second name was given to her at the orphanage, and her third name is her new adopted name. Sometimes Ada gets sad when she thinks about her past and how she wishes she could have lived with her birth mom. At the end of the book, Ada said good-bye to her old names, almost like she was ready to move on. Those names would always be a part of her, but she loved her new life and wanted to keep living. This would be an awesome book to use in your classroom when teaching about the different types of families that we have in our world.

[Liv Nash · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really great book for all children because it can help children who were adopted from other countries feel more at home and have a connection. It can help them to accept and embrace their culture. For children that aren't adopted, it can help them understand the culture and background of their friends, peers, or even family members that were adopted. A lot of times, children that are adopted from other countries have their first name changed by their adopted parents, like Ada, but keep their original name as their middle name to remind them of where they came from and who they are.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wasn't really into the art style and the story felt disjointed and off putting. I wonder what other Asian Americans think of this, because there are certain parts & phrases that really sounds like a white person wrote it. I understand it's supposed to be from a child's perspective, but I don't know anyone growing up who talked like that, even Chinese Americans that are considered "thoroughly Americanized". Maybe it's an age thing and the book is meant for age 6 and under? It felt a bit like an adult putting words into a child's mouth though....

[Kiersten Koch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book discusses a girl who was adopted when she was little, and since has multiple names. Her first name comes from her birth mother and father, the second comes from her adoption agency, and the third comes from her new family. The book is a reminder for children who have been adopted into different cultures that all their names have significance and all of them make up who the child is. This book can be used in a classroom for children to learn that not one thing makes up a person, but every piece of their life shapes who they are.

[Tyne Mather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book made me think about other kids that I have met that were adopted. This gave me a new perspective because it showed that the girl was sad but also happy with how her life turned out. As a future teacher, I would use this book to show how families are different. Kids can be adopted and be in a happy family. Other kids struggle with the idea of adoption and this book explains it in an easy way.

[Lyla Muhlenkamp · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was quite extraordinary. This little girl had three names throughout her life: the name her birth parents gave her, the name the orphanage gave her, and the name her adopted family gave her. I think this book portrays the message really well that you should accept who you are. This little girl had three names and she was proud of it. This book was phenomenal and would highly recommend for the classroom.

[Sarah Brandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that this book touches on a very important subject. The book talks about a young girl who was adopted from China who uses all three names she has to describe herself. She talks about the name she received from her birth mother, the caretakers at the orphanage, and her adoptive parents. She talks about how each name is important to her and makes her who she is.

[Elyssa DeAngulo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book opens up windows and mirrors for children. A child who is adopted is able to see themselves in a mirror and their feelings about how they still my yearn to be a part of their native country. Windows are opened up for students who are not adopted and are able to see the importance of an adopted child's background.

[Trevor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story that taught me a lot! I think it's great for all children to read and especially those that were adopted or fostered. The book follows a young girl who was adopted and is recalling her journey and her three names. She talks about cherishing all of them and her new family. It's illustrated beautifully and a wonderful 1st hand experience to read.

[Tarin Cosby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a little girl who is from China and was adopted into an American family. She talks about her experiences and how those relate to the three different names that she has had. This is a great book for children who have been adopted, or for children who need to learn about adoption. This book is a great way of explaining how families can be different.

[Evan Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are interesting the illustrations cover 2 pages. This book talks about the main character dealing with the process of having 3 names. This story is about a child dealing with adjusting from moving to America from China. This book would be a great introduction to foreign countries and cultures.

[Kylie Matusiewicz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really makes you think. Not everyone is born to a family that can support them or is capable of raising a child. As a young child, the main character knows how to learn how to get around but eat name she has been given is so special. Each of the 3 names is associated with places she has been even those she hardly remembers.

[Rachel Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ada has three names. Wang Bin is what the caregivers called her at her Chinese orphanage. Ada is the name her American parents gave her. And there is a third name, a name the infant Ada only heard whispered by her Chinese mother.

[Alyssa Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story goes through a little girl named Adas' life. She remembers her first name her mother gave her, her second name, and even her third. The story follows Ada through her new life with her adopted parents and her connections with her life in China

[Brianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three Names of Me is a touching book about a child who has three names throughout her life. The first one was the name her birth mother gave her, the second was the name the orphanage gave her, and the third was the name that her adoptive parents gave her.

[Jenna Parsons · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book because it gives a different perspective on adoption and people looking different in their classroom. I think that this is important to help individuals understand adoption and how it could be change who a person is. A great read, but may be hard to follow for young readers.

[Kristen Lunsford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is cute and different than most books I have read before. This book gives an overview for children who are curious about why their parents look different than their child. It is also neat how the culture is involved throughout this book.

[Alli Smith Hagerty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book so heart-warming. It is about a little girl who is adopted and all the different names she was given. I thought that this book was great because her adopted family embraces everything about her including her different names and to me I find that phenomenal.

[Bailie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute book about a child who has different names every where she goes. This book reminded me of adoption in a way as they have to mend their life as well as possibly their name for others to pronounce. This book is great for culture diversity for a classroom.

[Keaton Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful book about a new perspective most people don't typically think about This would be really good if you had a foreign exchange student in your class. This book shows the story of a girl, the names she goes through, and how they shape her.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written story that can be used to teach children about adoption and even culture. I love how Ada is connected with every part of herself and feels a deep connection with each name that she has been given.

[Alyssa Bloom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to show acceptance. It shows that no matter what a family is like it is still a family. It would be a great book to read in a classroom if there is a student who may be adopted.

[Erika Schissler · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for adoption, especially if you have students in your class that are adopted. It shows children that they can accept their new family without forgetting their old one.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations, easy read.