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Nim and the War Effort
"Details place the affecting story in a real, not idealized, America." -- Kirkus Reviews
"It's the last day of the newspaper drive and Nim, a Chinese-American girl in San Francisco during World War II, is determined to win. Her nearest rival has cheated. Undaunted, she leaves Chinatown and walks up Nob Hill after school, determined to find more scrap newspaper. Nim's sweet seriousness and ingenuity are captured in the text and in the luminous, grave illustrations." -- The New York Times Book Review
"Based on the author's childhood memories, Nim's story celebrates the patriotism of Asian family members in embracing their new home and country and their efforts to maintain their cultural traditions. A fine addition." -- School Library Journal
Nim and the War Effort is a 1997 New York Times Outstanding Book of the Year.
"It's the last day of the newspaper drive and Nim, a Chinese-American girl in San Francisco during World War II, is determined to win. Her nearest rival has cheated. Undaunted, she leaves Chinatown and walks up Nob Hill after school, determined to find more scrap newspaper. Nim's sweet seriousness and ingenuity are captured in the text and in the luminous, grave illustrations." -- The New York Times Book Review
"Based on the author's childhood memories, Nim's story celebrates the patriotism of Asian family members in embracing their new home and country and their efforts to maintain their cultural traditions. A fine addition." -- School Library Journal
Nim and the War Effort is a 1997 New York Times Outstanding Book of the Year.
40 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 29, 2015
It's 1943 in San Francisco's Chinatown and young Nim and her classmates are all competing to see who can collect the most newspapers for the war effort. So far, Nim and Garland Stephenson are in the lead.
One morning, Nim takes her wagon to her aunt's house to pick up some papers tied with a red string, but when she gets there, the papers are gone. Disappointed, Nim decides to look around the neighborhood to see if she can find other papers to add to her pile at school. Along the way, she runs into Garland, who not only has a pile of papers tied with a red string, but he is taking the new ones that were just delivered to the newspaper stand that morning. When Nim confronts Garland about both piles of papers, he tells her they are his now and Mr. Wong shouldn't have left his lying on the sidewalk.
Garland's wagon is so overloaded, that the papers spill all over the sidewalk when he tries to turn a corner. While he is picking them up, he tells Nim she can't win the contest, that they are in an American war and that only an American should win the newspaper competition and "not some Chinese smarty-pants."
Undaunted by Garland, Nim decides she has some time after school to search for more papers before she has to go to Chinese school, which her Grandfather has always been adamant she not be late for or miss. But when she approaches the doorman of a big building in Nob Hill and asks if there are any newspapers she can have for the war effort, he is more than obliging. To Nim's amazement he opens the door to a room full of newspapers, stacks and stacks of them. Surely, Nim would win the competition with all those papers. After all, Garland said it should be won by an American and Nim is as American as he is. But how can she get all those papers to the school and still get to Chinese school on time so she doesn't anger her Grandfather?
Nim's solution will surprise readers but her reasoning is sound and she is only doing what she was taught to do - call the police and ask for help. But, she comes home late, greeted by an very angry Grandfather who says she has disgraced the family by being seen riding in a police paddy wagon. Can she win back her Grandfather's respect and trust when he learns the truth about what happened?
Nim and the War Effort is one of those picture books for older readers that packs in a lot of information about kids and WWII. Kids did a lot to help the war effort, and really throw themselves into it, just a Nim and Garland do for the scrap paper contest.
Garland's cheating is a sad note about needing to win the contest. There was nothing at stake for him, except to show her up. Garland's behavior reminded me of the saying I was taught as a girl:
"Winners never cheat, and cheaters never win" and that's just what happened.
Cheating is one issue, but Garland also enables Milly Lee to quietly but effectively take on issues of racism and misplaced patriotism in her debut children's book. Garland only sees Nim as Chinese, his attitude towards her, that she isn't a real American, was common after the US entered the war. A lot of Chinese people were ostracized during WWII by those who lumped all Asians together and felt it gave them the right to mistreat them. Lee adds a nice touch of reality when she shows grandfather wearing a pin with the American and the Chinese flag, something many Chinese people did to differentiate themselves.
Lee also takes the reader inside Nim's home, where Chinese American family life is thoughtfully depicted. Young readers may find the relationship between Nim and her grandfather a little stiff and formal, and probably more realistic for the 1940s than in today's world. He is a real patriarch, with Nim's mother and grandmother firmly in the background. I thought it interesting that there is no mention of Nim's father. Was he away fighting the war? Another interesting note is that her grandmother has bound feet, something that most of today's young readers might not know about.
The muted realistic illustrations give the readers a true feeling of the past by using a palette of yellows and browns, making Nim's white shirt and red wagon really standout. Like Lee, this is a debut children's book for Yangsook Choi and the two really seem to have been on the same thought-wave, producing a thoughtful, thought-provoking picture book that no doubt generates all kinds of questions and observations among young readers.
This book is recommended for readers age 6+
This book was borrowed from the Bank Street College of Education Library
This review was originally posted on The Children's War
One morning, Nim takes her wagon to her aunt's house to pick up some papers tied with a red string, but when she gets there, the papers are gone. Disappointed, Nim decides to look around the neighborhood to see if she can find other papers to add to her pile at school. Along the way, she runs into Garland, who not only has a pile of papers tied with a red string, but he is taking the new ones that were just delivered to the newspaper stand that morning. When Nim confronts Garland about both piles of papers, he tells her they are his now and Mr. Wong shouldn't have left his lying on the sidewalk.
Garland's wagon is so overloaded, that the papers spill all over the sidewalk when he tries to turn a corner. While he is picking them up, he tells Nim she can't win the contest, that they are in an American war and that only an American should win the newspaper competition and "not some Chinese smarty-pants."
Undaunted by Garland, Nim decides she has some time after school to search for more papers before she has to go to Chinese school, which her Grandfather has always been adamant she not be late for or miss. But when she approaches the doorman of a big building in Nob Hill and asks if there are any newspapers she can have for the war effort, he is more than obliging. To Nim's amazement he opens the door to a room full of newspapers, stacks and stacks of them. Surely, Nim would win the competition with all those papers. After all, Garland said it should be won by an American and Nim is as American as he is. But how can she get all those papers to the school and still get to Chinese school on time so she doesn't anger her Grandfather?
Nim's solution will surprise readers but her reasoning is sound and she is only doing what she was taught to do - call the police and ask for help. But, she comes home late, greeted by an very angry Grandfather who says she has disgraced the family by being seen riding in a police paddy wagon. Can she win back her Grandfather's respect and trust when he learns the truth about what happened?
Nim and the War Effort is one of those picture books for older readers that packs in a lot of information about kids and WWII. Kids did a lot to help the war effort, and really throw themselves into it, just a Nim and Garland do for the scrap paper contest.
Garland's cheating is a sad note about needing to win the contest. There was nothing at stake for him, except to show her up. Garland's behavior reminded me of the saying I was taught as a girl:
"Winners never cheat, and cheaters never win" and that's just what happened.
Cheating is one issue, but Garland also enables Milly Lee to quietly but effectively take on issues of racism and misplaced patriotism in her debut children's book. Garland only sees Nim as Chinese, his attitude towards her, that she isn't a real American, was common after the US entered the war. A lot of Chinese people were ostracized during WWII by those who lumped all Asians together and felt it gave them the right to mistreat them. Lee adds a nice touch of reality when she shows grandfather wearing a pin with the American and the Chinese flag, something many Chinese people did to differentiate themselves.
Lee also takes the reader inside Nim's home, where Chinese American family life is thoughtfully depicted. Young readers may find the relationship between Nim and her grandfather a little stiff and formal, and probably more realistic for the 1940s than in today's world. He is a real patriarch, with Nim's mother and grandmother firmly in the background. I thought it interesting that there is no mention of Nim's father. Was he away fighting the war? Another interesting note is that her grandmother has bound feet, something that most of today's young readers might not know about.
The muted realistic illustrations give the readers a true feeling of the past by using a palette of yellows and browns, making Nim's white shirt and red wagon really standout. Like Lee, this is a debut children's book for Yangsook Choi and the two really seem to have been on the same thought-wave, producing a thoughtful, thought-provoking picture book that no doubt generates all kinds of questions and observations among young readers.
This book is recommended for readers age 6+
This book was borrowed from the Bank Street College of Education Library
This review was originally posted on The Children's War
August 27, 2016
Pages: 40
Age range: 6 and up
Genre: Picture / Historical Fiction
Race/Culture/Ethnic Group: Asian American (Chinese)
Summary: Nim, a young Chinese American girl, is determined to win her school’s contest to collect newspaper for the war effort (WWII).
Evaluation: Unlike many books about Asian Americans during WWII, this book features Chinese Americans rather than Japanese. The author is a cultural insider and based the story on her childhood memories. Lee integrates a great deal of cultural information into the text and story, but does so in a way that does not overpower the story line. Choi’s illustrations are nice, with a soft golden lighting tone, although the faces sometimes look a bit wooden.
Nim, the main character, is determined to win her school’s contest not only because she believes in it, but also to prove to her rival that she IS an American. This aspect of the story as well as the fact that her father and grandfather wear lapel pins with both the Chinese and American flags so as not to be mistaken for Japanese Americans touch briefly on discriminatory attitudes towards Asian Americans.
Age range: 6 and up
Genre: Picture / Historical Fiction
Race/Culture/Ethnic Group: Asian American (Chinese)
Summary: Nim, a young Chinese American girl, is determined to win her school’s contest to collect newspaper for the war effort (WWII).
Evaluation: Unlike many books about Asian Americans during WWII, this book features Chinese Americans rather than Japanese. The author is a cultural insider and based the story on her childhood memories. Lee integrates a great deal of cultural information into the text and story, but does so in a way that does not overpower the story line. Choi’s illustrations are nice, with a soft golden lighting tone, although the faces sometimes look a bit wooden.
Nim, the main character, is determined to win her school’s contest not only because she believes in it, but also to prove to her rival that she IS an American. This aspect of the story as well as the fact that her father and grandfather wear lapel pins with both the Chinese and American flags so as not to be mistaken for Japanese Americans touch briefly on discriminatory attitudes towards Asian Americans.
January 17, 2018
Another picture book, this one set in the US during WWII. This young American of Chinese descent, in a family that is fiercely proud of that Chinese heritage. But Nim is also very proud of being American, and wants to support the war effort, so she is working very hard on a newspaper drive. Lots of interesting detail - Grandfather wears a double flag pin, Chinese and American, to show his support of the United States, but also to show that he is not Japanese. Nim is in competition with a classmate to see who can bring in the most newspaper. How she wins the competition and convinces others [including her grandfather] that she is a "real American" is a great story.
September 21, 2021
Genre: Historical Fiction
Grade Level: 2-4
I enjoyed this book and it gave a new perspective on the war and different things families did to help. I thought Nim's courage and motivation were very inspiring. She knew she could succeed if she just put her mind to it and I think this is a great lesson, both for me now and for my students in the future. This was an enjoyable read and I liked the new war perspective. I didn't even know about what Nim and her classmates were doing. Overall, this was a very educational and inspirational book that I want to incorporate into my classroom.
Grade Level: 2-4
I enjoyed this book and it gave a new perspective on the war and different things families did to help. I thought Nim's courage and motivation were very inspiring. She knew she could succeed if she just put her mind to it and I think this is a great lesson, both for me now and for my students in the future. This was an enjoyable read and I liked the new war perspective. I didn't even know about what Nim and her classmates were doing. Overall, this was a very educational and inspirational book that I want to incorporate into my classroom.
April 19, 2021
Historical Fiction
Grades K-4
This story is set in World War II times and follows a little girl named Nim, who is collecting newspapers for a contest at school to help the war effort. I thought this story was so heartwarming and I couldn't wait to see how it ended. I really enjoyed reading this book and looking through the illustrations.
Grades K-4
This story is set in World War II times and follows a little girl named Nim, who is collecting newspapers for a contest at school to help the war effort. I thought this story was so heartwarming and I couldn't wait to see how it ended. I really enjoyed reading this book and looking through the illustrations.
June 8, 2017
I love that the child's grandfather reminds her about humility. We need more of that (I need more humility). Great details about WWII times.
October 21, 2012
She is a typically Chinese-American girl who lives in Chinatown in San Francisco during World War 2. Bravery, seriousness, ingenuity, all of these are Nim's great characteristics that make her win at last. Though her classmate always bet her, with her efforts for the war, she won finally. This a Chinese but also American girl, I particularly appreciate for her.
Besides, this is a good material for teacher to use in class to tell chidren about the information during World War 2. And after reading this book, they may know more about Chinese civilization. also this book teaches children the importance of doing and being their best at everything they do.
however, what I don't agree with this book is that the topic in this book is a little bit heavy for children, and actually I'm not sure whether kids can receive such competetional topic when they read this book. But it still is a good historical fiction.
Besides, this is a good material for teacher to use in class to tell chidren about the information during World War 2. And after reading this book, they may know more about Chinese civilization. also this book teaches children the importance of doing and being their best at everything they do.
however, what I don't agree with this book is that the topic in this book is a little bit heavy for children, and actually I'm not sure whether kids can receive such competetional topic when they read this book. But it still is a good historical fiction.
February 21, 2010
Wow, what a great book to teach so many lessons. I plan on using this with my students as we do our China/India unit. I teach ancient civilizations, but because of China’s and India’s economic and power growth we not only focus on the cultural background but also current events. It is a unique unit and this book can add a great deal to the understanding of respect and ancestor worship, but at the same time teach important lessons of bullying, compromising and graciousness. The illustrations are all in brown, gray and sepia tones, which helps to reinforce the time period, which is during WWII. This was a great recommendation, thank you.
August 29, 2008
This was a sweet, simple story of a young Chinese-American girl during WWII. It shows her standing up for who she is, which was a rough time for her people in this country at that time. It like other things makes me wonder what my own grandmother's life was like during this time in history. I like that the story is not too heavy for a child, and that any child can understand competition, wanting to help others, and being proud of their own family. A much older reader can pick out other, undeveloped things in the story that could cause much contemplation and discussion if desired.
October 12, 2010
Nim is a Chinese-American during World War II working to collect newspapers for the war effort. Her classmate is working to bet her, because he thinks that an American should win the competition. However, Nim is determined to do her part to contribute.
Why I picked this up: The cover fascinating me.
Why I finished it: I wanted to learn more about the Chinese-Americans and their experiences. I knew that people were very prejudiced against Japanese-Americans and that many people don't care enough to learn the difference between Chinese and Japanese.
Why I picked this up: The cover fascinating me.
Why I finished it: I wanted to learn more about the Chinese-Americans and their experiences. I knew that people were very prejudiced against Japanese-Americans and that many people don't care enough to learn the difference between Chinese and Japanese.
December 10, 2014
I am a sucker for historical fiction and this took place in Chinatown during WWII. This picture book was just a tiny bit slow for the kids, though they felt the indignation of the main character who dealt with a cheating opponent and related to her other emotions. With a little bit of explanation they were able to connect a little more with the story. It was well written and the characters were rich without it having to be too wordy for a picture book. I loved Nim's determination and resourcefulness which lead to sticky situations.
May 6, 2015
I wish there were more of these types of books: elder/grandparent stories from their childhoods. They show us and teach us so much, being personal. This one is a good representation of an experience a young girl had when her school had a newspaper drive contest and she was motivated to win for the war effort. Hers and female relatives' relationships to her grandfather and her ancestors, the family dynamics, the cultural norms and important references to Chinese culture all contribute to make it a good multicultural book. The illustrations give it a certain somber, reminiscent feel, too.
October 6, 2016
Odd little picture book about a young Chinese-American girl collecting papers to raise money for WWII. Her grandfather feels that being on time is the most important thing and gets mad at her when she is a little late because of her papers. He thinks all she cares about is winning the contest, but she tells him she wants to support the war because it's for her, because she's an American. She beats the nasty little bully that tries to cheat.
October 10, 2011
Nim is a Chinese-American girl leaving in Sacramento in the 1940s, collecting newspapers to support the war effort and to win a school competition. Her competitor in the newspaper collecting contest is determined to win at any cost, including stealing newspapers. This story shows Nim's determination to remain loyal and true to herself, family, and country.
September 19, 2014
Before I read this aloud to fourth graders, I read it to myself. It taught me one aspect of how children helped out in the World War II war effort. I wish the book shared why newspapers were collected for the war effort. Doing my own research, I learned the newspapers were recycled into boxes, cartons and shell casings.
November 7, 2016
This is the story of a young Chinese American girl that is collecting newspapers for the war effort during WWII. I liked that this book featured the experience of Chinese Americans during WWII. Issues around the protagonist’s identity in this context are explored in this book. The artwork is not the most engaging but the story makes up for it.
May 2, 2007
An excellent book. Sensitively approaches issues of racism and the Chinese culture of shame. Also, mentions the struggles of Chinese Americans during WWII as they try not to be mistaken for Japanese Americans.
February 28, 2013
Extremely long! The story is great to help children in social studies and cultural understandings. it takes a unique view on teaching war history. Good book, but definitely for older elementary students
March 10, 2014
Nim is collecting news paper for the war effort - hindered by a bully who just doesn't play fair. The illustrations are just right for this interesting story from WWII. This is one I would read with older kids who have a better grasp of history and then use it for discussion.
Read
March 21, 2016I thought this book was a great way to teach kids a little bit of what it was like to live during WWII. The pictures were very nice and there was a neat story line to it. I thought it was also interesting having a Chinese American perspective.
November 28, 2016
This book was long. I think it would be more for a 4th-5th grader. If the kid was any younger they might get bored. The book is pretty long for the story it was telling. I feel like it took a while for the plot to get going. The pictures were nice and it was cool to see 2 cultures come together.
June 28, 2008
I really wanted to Nim to win the newspaper collection contest. I know the moral of the story is that she chose her heritage, but the ending disappointed me.
October 4, 2010
Enjoyable book, grear for a read aloud. This book teaches students the importance of doing and being their best at everything they do. It is multicultural.
Want to read
January 15, 2013It a goo book
September 11, 2014
This book made tear up and cry! It was so touching! (Probably because I can relate..) But the values that this book teaches is incredible. It is a must read. ;)
August 27, 2015
I loved this book! Great multi-cultural book with generational characters that teaches a lesson on self control.
April 28, 2017
Nim collects newspaper to support the war effort.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews