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The Great Wall of Lucy Wu
Lucy Wu, aspiring basketball star and interior designer, is on the verge of having the best year of her life. She's ready to rule the school as a sixth grader and take over the bedroom she has always shared with her sister. In an instant, though, her plans are shattered when she finds out that Yi Po, her beloved grandmother's sister, is coming to visit for several months -- and is staying in Lucy's room. Lucy's vision of a perfect year begins to crumble, and in its place come an unwelcome roommate, foiled birthday plans, and Chinese school with the awful Talent Chang.
312 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2011
95 people are currently reading
2325 people want to read
About the author
Wendy Wan-Long Shang
14 books133 followersMy parents, who grew up in China, had no favorite books from their childhood to share with me, which left me to my own devices in the library. When I mentioned this to a friend, she was a bit stunned, and I understood this reaction. I certainly never felt deprived as a child, but as a parent, it's hard to imagine not having that link.
My own book is about finding the stories we discover about our families and how we are changed by them. I hope my book inspires its readers to find the powerful stories, both great and small, in their own families.
My own book is about finding the stories we discover about our families and how we are changed by them. I hope my book inspires its readers to find the powerful stories, both great and small, in their own families.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 397 reviews
January 3, 2011
As a child I was an insatiable reader. I started reading very early and I have read nonstop ever since. Reading was an education, a comfort and an escape. In fact I passionately devoured so many classics from the British Isles that when I finally landed in Wales at the age of 16 it felt more like a homecoming than an adventure abroad! However, in all the thousands of pages I consumed in my youth and the millions of virtual miles travelled, I never once encountered a child like myself – one who was Asian American or even one who was navigating her way carefully between multiple cultures. It is difficult to articulate the psychic toll this invisibility takes on a young person.
This memory of finding out through books about other people’s lives but never delving more deeply into my own through literature (at least, not until my university years), is the major reason why as an adult today I am drawn particularly to children’s books that reflect diverse backgrounds. These books open the eyes of children in the cultural majority, showing them new perspectives they might otherwise never encounter, and they are also incredibly precious to the children whose lives they mirror. We are fortunate today to see the emergence of an increasing number of marvellously talented Asian American writers for young people. I am excited that Wendy Wan-Long Shang has added to their number!
The Great Wall of Lucy Wu is a story that is at once universal and particular, and it is one that will appeal to upper elementary and middle school boys and girls equally. Every sixth grader feels self-conscious about being different at times (whether those differences are obvious or mostly internal) and it is the job of young people of this age to begin exploring where their parents end and their own identity begins. Lucy Wu is no exception. She starts off the school year with high hopes as she contemplates finally having a bedroom to herself and enjoying a great year with her best friend on their basketball team. However, these dreams are quickly shattered when she learns of her parents’ plans to bring her long-lost great-aunt from China to share her room and for her to go to Chinese Saturday school instead of basketball practice!
How Lucy navigates her way through these challenges makes for an entertaining and educational read. The educational aspects are woven seamlessly into the story and presented in an entirely age-appropriate way: Chinese cultural information, background on the Cultural Revolution, the sad realities of racism and classism. The entertaining part is that the information always moves the story forward; it never feels like a digression or mini-lecture as is too often the case.
One of the challenges of writing multi-cultural books is that the author must include enough explanation to make the story and characters comprehensible to people outside the community, but not so much that it bogs down the plot or makes readers from the group that is portrayed feel as if they are being treated as an interesting curiosity. Shang walks this tightrope brilliantly. She also excels at creating well-rounded characters who are products of their cultures as well as distinct individuals.
When my daughter finished this book, the first thing she said was, “I hope she writes a sequel.” That was my feeling too: I started reading it and wanted to do nothing else, though I was also reluctant to finish and have the journey end. Lucy and her family stole my heart. They held up a mirror to my own childhood but also taught me a great deal. There’s not much more I can ask for from a book.
This memory of finding out through books about other people’s lives but never delving more deeply into my own through literature (at least, not until my university years), is the major reason why as an adult today I am drawn particularly to children’s books that reflect diverse backgrounds. These books open the eyes of children in the cultural majority, showing them new perspectives they might otherwise never encounter, and they are also incredibly precious to the children whose lives they mirror. We are fortunate today to see the emergence of an increasing number of marvellously talented Asian American writers for young people. I am excited that Wendy Wan-Long Shang has added to their number!
The Great Wall of Lucy Wu is a story that is at once universal and particular, and it is one that will appeal to upper elementary and middle school boys and girls equally. Every sixth grader feels self-conscious about being different at times (whether those differences are obvious or mostly internal) and it is the job of young people of this age to begin exploring where their parents end and their own identity begins. Lucy Wu is no exception. She starts off the school year with high hopes as she contemplates finally having a bedroom to herself and enjoying a great year with her best friend on their basketball team. However, these dreams are quickly shattered when she learns of her parents’ plans to bring her long-lost great-aunt from China to share her room and for her to go to Chinese Saturday school instead of basketball practice!
How Lucy navigates her way through these challenges makes for an entertaining and educational read. The educational aspects are woven seamlessly into the story and presented in an entirely age-appropriate way: Chinese cultural information, background on the Cultural Revolution, the sad realities of racism and classism. The entertaining part is that the information always moves the story forward; it never feels like a digression or mini-lecture as is too often the case.
One of the challenges of writing multi-cultural books is that the author must include enough explanation to make the story and characters comprehensible to people outside the community, but not so much that it bogs down the plot or makes readers from the group that is portrayed feel as if they are being treated as an interesting curiosity. Shang walks this tightrope brilliantly. She also excels at creating well-rounded characters who are products of their cultures as well as distinct individuals.
When my daughter finished this book, the first thing she said was, “I hope she writes a sequel.” That was my feeling too: I started reading it and wanted to do nothing else, though I was also reluctant to finish and have the journey end. Lucy and her family stole my heart. They held up a mirror to my own childhood but also taught me a great deal. There’s not much more I can ask for from a book.
February 9, 2011
It was SO refreshing to read a middle grade book where the main character was so..so...normal, in the middle (although in the book she is the youngest), flawed but seriously lovable. Furthermore, it was a bit of relief to find a book where the Chinese parents weren't so strict, they had rules but they weren't trying to stop their kids from having a social life. The family life is realistic and heartwarming. I love reading about connections with older adults/older family members.
And surprise there are mentions of the Chinese Communist Cultural Revolution which I happen to be studying in my comparative government class (this is why we should read more MG/YA in school ;). I didn't feel overwhelmed with facts about the Cultural Revolution, the author reveals bits and pieces of the atrocities committed but the book never loses its cheerful tone even when discussing the horrid Cultural Revolution (which you may recall I also learned about in another great book Girl Overboard). As embarrassing as it is to admit, I could completely relate to Lucy not wanting to deal with her Chinese great-aunt because I've felt the same way about my Spanish-speaking relatives. Both Lucy and I are sure that they will never understand our lives so why bother trying to talk to them? Well we're both wrong and I've never been so happy to have been proven wrong :) More importantly, I think anyone who is a hyphenated American can relate to Lucy whether you're American-Irish, Black American, Chinese American, etc. There are certain moments in our lives where we feel really connected with our culture and our ancestors, whether we get this connection from relatives, visits to our ancestral lands or books, we all feel it at some point.
The Great Wall of Lucy Wu is darn near perfect. Lucy is a girl after my own heart (student athlete, holla!), but I loved that I could see a little bit of myself in every character. Like Kenny (Lucy's older brother) I love history. Like Regina, I can be a little bossy (my sister was convinced Regina was modeled after me but I am NOT THAT bad, although Regina redeems herself so I guess it's all good). There is a particular incident involving Lucy's crush (ah first crush and I was very happy that he was half Chinese but that fact is not made out to be some Big Deal. It is what it is) that would have left me absolutely mortified (SPOILER ).In addition to the impromptu history lesson, prejudice also plays a role. A certain someone writes derogatory things about Lucy on the bathroom wall having to do with her being Chinese and Lucy has to figure out how to deal with that. It's yet another affirmation that racism still exists and the people who honestly think we live in a post-racial society need to wake up. It's books like this one that will help open people's eyes in the most entertaining of ways, whether by introducing them to a Chinese-American girl who plays basketball and loves to hang out with friends or showing them that kids can be really mean and they know racial slurs so we need to teach them tolerance early. Definitely one of my favorite debuts of the year, one of my favorites of the year, period.
And surprise there are mentions of the Chinese Communist Cultural Revolution which I happen to be studying in my comparative government class (this is why we should read more MG/YA in school ;). I didn't feel overwhelmed with facts about the Cultural Revolution, the author reveals bits and pieces of the atrocities committed but the book never loses its cheerful tone even when discussing the horrid Cultural Revolution (which you may recall I also learned about in another great book Girl Overboard). As embarrassing as it is to admit, I could completely relate to Lucy not wanting to deal with her Chinese great-aunt because I've felt the same way about my Spanish-speaking relatives. Both Lucy and I are sure that they will never understand our lives so why bother trying to talk to them? Well we're both wrong and I've never been so happy to have been proven wrong :) More importantly, I think anyone who is a hyphenated American can relate to Lucy whether you're American-Irish, Black American, Chinese American, etc. There are certain moments in our lives where we feel really connected with our culture and our ancestors, whether we get this connection from relatives, visits to our ancestral lands or books, we all feel it at some point.
The Great Wall of Lucy Wu is darn near perfect. Lucy is a girl after my own heart (student athlete, holla!), but I loved that I could see a little bit of myself in every character. Like Kenny (Lucy's older brother) I love history. Like Regina, I can be a little bossy (my sister was convinced Regina was modeled after me but I am NOT THAT bad, although Regina redeems herself so I guess it's all good). There is a particular incident involving Lucy's crush (ah first crush and I was very happy that he was half Chinese but that fact is not made out to be some Big Deal. It is what it is) that would have left me absolutely mortified (SPOILER ).In addition to the impromptu history lesson, prejudice also plays a role. A certain someone writes derogatory things about Lucy on the bathroom wall having to do with her being Chinese and Lucy has to figure out how to deal with that. It's yet another affirmation that racism still exists and the people who honestly think we live in a post-racial society need to wake up. It's books like this one that will help open people's eyes in the most entertaining of ways, whether by introducing them to a Chinese-American girl who plays basketball and loves to hang out with friends or showing them that kids can be really mean and they know racial slurs so we need to teach them tolerance early. Definitely one of my favorite debuts of the year, one of my favorites of the year, period.
July 22, 2011
One Sentence Review: Not only does it pair well with Candy Gourlay's Tall Story but it's a fun tale in its own right about sports, assumptions, and having to deal with other generations.
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April 25, 20141. Text-to-Text Connection: In many ways Lucy reminds me of Auggie from Wonder. Both characters struggle with accepting who they are, and both characters get bullied by a peer. In The Great Wall of Lucy Wu, Lucy struggles to accept her Chinese ancestry and wants her family to be more like the families of her non-Chinese peers; in Wonder, Auggie struggles to accept his appearance and wants to be accepted by his peers. Both characters also get bullied by a peer. Lucy is bullied by Sloane as they both decide to try out to be the captain of the sixth-grade basketball team. Rather than inviting the friendly competition, Sloane bullies all the other students out of the competition, except Lucy. Auggie is bullied by Julian who doesn’t like anyone who is not just like him. Both characters ultimately overcome their bullies to achieve their goals – Lucy makes captain and Auggie is accepted by his peers.
2. A. Knowledge: Name three things that threaten Lucy’s “best year ever.”
B. Comprehension: Explain why the author chose the title, The Great Wall of Lucy Wu.
C. Application: Think of an event or situation in the story and tell what you would have done in Lucy’s place.
D. Analysis: What is the relationship between Lucy and Yi Po when Yi Po first moves in with Lucy’s family? What is it at the end of the book?
E. Synthesis: If you were in Lucy’s place, would you have tried out for captain? Why or why not?
F. Evaluation: Write another chapter for the book. What happens after the end of the last chapter in the book.
3. (2011, Feb 15). Booklist. http://www.booklistonline.com/The-Gre...
2. A. Knowledge: Name three things that threaten Lucy’s “best year ever.”
B. Comprehension: Explain why the author chose the title, The Great Wall of Lucy Wu.
C. Application: Think of an event or situation in the story and tell what you would have done in Lucy’s place.
D. Analysis: What is the relationship between Lucy and Yi Po when Yi Po first moves in with Lucy’s family? What is it at the end of the book?
E. Synthesis: If you were in Lucy’s place, would you have tried out for captain? Why or why not?
F. Evaluation: Write another chapter for the book. What happens after the end of the last chapter in the book.
3. (2011, Feb 15). Booklist. http://www.booklistonline.com/The-Gre...
December 11, 2011
Originally posted here.
It is rare for me to pick up a book anymore that I have no preconceived notions about. It is hard not to develop some about almost any book when I read so many blogs. I was very excited when I saw The Great Wall of Lucy Wu by Wendy Wan-Long Shang on the new arrivals shelf at my library. I had seen it mentioned in a couple of comments at Heavy Medal but knew nothing else about it. Just the title. It was a lovely experience going into the story not knowing what to expect. I can say that it is one that is well worth reading and adding to any library collection (home, classroom, school).
Kids are going to sympathize with Lucy in all sorts of ways. I sympathized with her and really wanted to have a heart to heart with her parents on how unreasonable they are at times. Even when I knew they were right. That is how well Shang conveyed Lucy's emotions. Lucy has all the genuine feelings, frustrations, joys, and concerns of any typical sixth grade girl. There is a boy she likes but is content to sneak looks at. She is afraid of falling on the wrong side of her school's golden girl, who is a mean bully. She feels like her parents don't understand her or care about her feelings at all. There is an element in her story of warring culture. She is a Chinese-American and the American part wins over the Chinese part in many of her choices. Unlike her "perfect" older sister who speaks fluent Chinese and has learned all she can about the culture. This is conveyed with a light touch and, while probably the most element of Wendy's story, never becomes tired or trite.
Then there is Yi Po's story which the teacher/mom in me likes best about the book. There is a scene toward the end where Yi Po is recounting a moment from her childhood. A moment that took place during China's Cultural Revolution. It is a heart wrenching story and is told in such a way that it draws the reader in and manages to educate them on a very important time in Chinese (and therefore World) History at the same time. As most people probably manage to graduate high school without ever hearing about the Cultural Revolution this is a very good thing indeed. It is not the main reason to read the book though, only an added benefit.
The ending was a little too neat and tidy, all loose ends tied up in a pretty bow with curly ribbons, for my taste. But I am a cynical grown up. I can see a kid eating it up because that is the way they want similar situation in their own lives to end. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a good contemporary MG novel.
It is rare for me to pick up a book anymore that I have no preconceived notions about. It is hard not to develop some about almost any book when I read so many blogs. I was very excited when I saw The Great Wall of Lucy Wu by Wendy Wan-Long Shang on the new arrivals shelf at my library. I had seen it mentioned in a couple of comments at Heavy Medal but knew nothing else about it. Just the title. It was a lovely experience going into the story not knowing what to expect. I can say that it is one that is well worth reading and adding to any library collection (home, classroom, school).
Kids are going to sympathize with Lucy in all sorts of ways. I sympathized with her and really wanted to have a heart to heart with her parents on how unreasonable they are at times. Even when I knew they were right. That is how well Shang conveyed Lucy's emotions. Lucy has all the genuine feelings, frustrations, joys, and concerns of any typical sixth grade girl. There is a boy she likes but is content to sneak looks at. She is afraid of falling on the wrong side of her school's golden girl, who is a mean bully. She feels like her parents don't understand her or care about her feelings at all. There is an element in her story of warring culture. She is a Chinese-American and the American part wins over the Chinese part in many of her choices. Unlike her "perfect" older sister who speaks fluent Chinese and has learned all she can about the culture. This is conveyed with a light touch and, while probably the most element of Wendy's story, never becomes tired or trite.
Then there is Yi Po's story which the teacher/mom in me likes best about the book. There is a scene toward the end where Yi Po is recounting a moment from her childhood. A moment that took place during China's Cultural Revolution. It is a heart wrenching story and is told in such a way that it draws the reader in and manages to educate them on a very important time in Chinese (and therefore World) History at the same time. As most people probably manage to graduate high school without ever hearing about the Cultural Revolution this is a very good thing indeed. It is not the main reason to read the book though, only an added benefit.
The ending was a little too neat and tidy, all loose ends tied up in a pretty bow with curly ribbons, for my taste. But I am a cynical grown up. I can see a kid eating it up because that is the way they want similar situation in their own lives to end. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a good contemporary MG novel.
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June 3, 2011Made me laugh? Yup.
Made me cry? Yup.
Made me want to use the words "Judy Blume" in this review? Yup.
Sixth-grader Lucy Wu is obsessed with basketball and hopes to play for legendary UT Lady Vols coach Pat Summit one day. But that's a long ways off. For now, she's short, being forced to go to Chinese school, and in an extended battle with mean girl Sloane---who puts crickets in Lucy's lemon chicken. To top it off, she has to share her bedroom with her non-English speaking, Vapor Rub odor-emitting, suddenly visiting great-aunt, Yi Po.
This novel is about walls: at first, the one Lucy erects in her bedroom to keep her great-aunt at arm's length. But later, there's the one in Lucy's school bathroom scrawled with a mocking poem about Chinese people; the walls between Lucy and her basketball dreams; and most of all, the walls inside that we all use to keep other people out...
What I loved most about this book---and what caused me to invoke the name of Judy Blume---is how debut author Wendy Shang keeps Lucy firmly grounded in her family, but gives us complete access to her inner life. Here is Lucy explaining what sharing a room with her great-aunt is like:
"Yi Po woke up every day before the sun even peeped out. And did she tiptoe out quietly? Not without making the bed! I lay in bed and listened to her every morning, walking around in her flat slippers that made a fwap-fwap sound with every step. I soon noticed that she had a little pattern every morning. Whoosh fwap-fwap. She pulled up the blankets. Swish fwap-fwap. She smoothed the bed. Poom fwap-fwap. She puffed up the pillow.
By the time she fwap-fwapped out of the room, I was too fwapping mad to go back to sleep."
No walls there.
Made me cry? Yup.
Made me want to use the words "Judy Blume" in this review? Yup.
Sixth-grader Lucy Wu is obsessed with basketball and hopes to play for legendary UT Lady Vols coach Pat Summit one day. But that's a long ways off. For now, she's short, being forced to go to Chinese school, and in an extended battle with mean girl Sloane---who puts crickets in Lucy's lemon chicken. To top it off, she has to share her bedroom with her non-English speaking, Vapor Rub odor-emitting, suddenly visiting great-aunt, Yi Po.
This novel is about walls: at first, the one Lucy erects in her bedroom to keep her great-aunt at arm's length. But later, there's the one in Lucy's school bathroom scrawled with a mocking poem about Chinese people; the walls between Lucy and her basketball dreams; and most of all, the walls inside that we all use to keep other people out...
What I loved most about this book---and what caused me to invoke the name of Judy Blume---is how debut author Wendy Shang keeps Lucy firmly grounded in her family, but gives us complete access to her inner life. Here is Lucy explaining what sharing a room with her great-aunt is like:
"Yi Po woke up every day before the sun even peeped out. And did she tiptoe out quietly? Not without making the bed! I lay in bed and listened to her every morning, walking around in her flat slippers that made a fwap-fwap sound with every step. I soon noticed that she had a little pattern every morning. Whoosh fwap-fwap. She pulled up the blankets. Swish fwap-fwap. She smoothed the bed. Poom fwap-fwap. She puffed up the pillow.
By the time she fwap-fwapped out of the room, I was too fwapping mad to go back to sleep."
No walls there.
September 15, 2016
I wish I had this book when I was growing up. I needed to see myself reflected in literature and Lucy Wu deals with some of the self-hate I felt, but while Shang tackles developing Lucy's self-love and self-worth, she also shows Lucy with a rich, full life. Lucy is a basketball star even with her short height. She has a good friend and a strong ally who helps her stand up to bullies. She goes through regular teen worries with her great-aunt moving in from China, her elaborate birthday party planning and her secret crush on the boy with long hair. I appreciate that this book is out there-- that when I ask for a book with a Chinese character, it's not just historical fiction or an assimilation experience, but a kid whose life is actualized. 4 stars because I just wasn't that into the title!
September 28, 2011
Loved this. Surely one of the best, if not THE best, school stories I've read in ages. I liked it so much I'm actually going to blog about it.
June 11, 2015
Who did Regina think she was, telling me how or how not to be Chinese?
Lucy Wu is all set to have the best year of her life. Her older sister, Regina, is going off to college. Not only will Lucy get out of the shadow the Perfect Chinese Daughter, but she will also get their shared bedroom all to herself. She's looking forward to starting sixth grade and being among the oldest kids in the school, playing basketball, and having a big joint-birthday Halloween bash with her best friend, Madison.
And then, it all falls apart. Her parents announce that Lucy is about to get a new roommate - a great-aunt from China. A new Chinese school is opening in the area, and her parents want her to go on Saturday mornings - when she has always had basketball practice. Nothing is going according to Lucy's plans.
Shang creates an utterly believable tween in Lucy, blending all the sweetness and prickliness that come with being an eleven-year-old girl. She wants to do the right thing, but sometimes she really wants her way, too. She wants to fit in and have the boy she likes like her back. She doesn't want to be too different from everyone else. She has been content to fade into the background everywhere but on the basketball court. When a bully makes her a target, her impulse is to hide away. When some of the popular girls spot Yi Po at the mall and make fun of her, Lucy denies being to related to her.
As the weeks pass, and Lucy gets to know Yi Po, she also starts to figure out how to bring together and accept the various parts of her own identity, and how important it is to stand up for herself. Her realistic responses to frustrating situations will have readers cringing and laughing right along with her.
Highly recommended for grades 4-6, this is a stand-out debut novel.
Book Source: Checked out from the public library
Lucy Wu is all set to have the best year of her life. Her older sister, Regina, is going off to college. Not only will Lucy get out of the shadow the Perfect Chinese Daughter, but she will also get their shared bedroom all to herself. She's looking forward to starting sixth grade and being among the oldest kids in the school, playing basketball, and having a big joint-birthday Halloween bash with her best friend, Madison.
And then, it all falls apart. Her parents announce that Lucy is about to get a new roommate - a great-aunt from China. A new Chinese school is opening in the area, and her parents want her to go on Saturday mornings - when she has always had basketball practice. Nothing is going according to Lucy's plans.
Shang creates an utterly believable tween in Lucy, blending all the sweetness and prickliness that come with being an eleven-year-old girl. She wants to do the right thing, but sometimes she really wants her way, too. She wants to fit in and have the boy she likes like her back. She doesn't want to be too different from everyone else. She has been content to fade into the background everywhere but on the basketball court. When a bully makes her a target, her impulse is to hide away. When some of the popular girls spot Yi Po at the mall and make fun of her, Lucy denies being to related to her.
As the weeks pass, and Lucy gets to know Yi Po, she also starts to figure out how to bring together and accept the various parts of her own identity, and how important it is to stand up for herself. Her realistic responses to frustrating situations will have readers cringing and laughing right along with her.
Highly recommended for grades 4-6, this is a stand-out debut novel.
Book Source: Checked out from the public library
June 26, 2015
Lucy is a girl that grow at a Chinese-American family. Although she’s a Chinese girl, she denied that she was a Chinese because at her school everybody hates Chinese. She’s also the captain of the basketball at her school. She had a high honor at the team. Everything changed until her Yipo came. Every bad things suddenly happened to her. Changed to Chinese School, Yipo sleep at her room, bullied by another basketball captain and eat Chinese food everyday.
That’s not all she got, she had a hard time to speak chinese it school. That was not a only
her only nightmare, she had to speak chinese at her family! Everything was Chinese now to her. Her life is ruined, isn’t it?
At first, this book are very attracted me. I like this book very much because the main character have the same ambition as me, and it’s content are very good too. This book are very suitable for children and teenager to read because it’s very interesting and fabulous.
That’s not all she got, she had a hard time to speak chinese it school. That was not a only
her only nightmare, she had to speak chinese at her family! Everything was Chinese now to her. Her life is ruined, isn’t it?
At first, this book are very attracted me. I like this book very much because the main character have the same ambition as me, and it’s content are very good too. This book are very suitable for children and teenager to read because it’s very interesting and fabulous.
September 28, 2018
Elizabeth Murray
Mr. Schleifer
English 2H
9/28/18
Journal entry: I am meeting with Lucy Wu, who is featured in the novel, The Great Wall of Lucy Wu, by Wendy Wan-Long Shang. I will be meeting with her from time to time to discuss her life periodically during the book.
Interview #1:
Ms. Murray: Hi Ms. Lucy Wu, I am Ms. Murray, the school guidance counselor at the Washington DC School. I would like to talk to you about your life right now and about your current emotional state. I am very interested in your case in The Great Wall of Lucy Wu, by Wendy Wan-Long Shang. I have just started reading this book, and am just a chapter in. As the main character yourself, I just wanted to make sure everything in your life is okay. It seems to me, as said in the book and from what I have picked up on by ear that you are slightly unhappy with your upcoming living situation. I would like to initiate our conversation by asking you a few questions.
Ms. Murray: What activities do you enjoy (more specifically after school)?
Lucy: Well I absolutely love basketball. It is my favorite and most serious sport. It is the one thing that gets me away from school, parents, and other worries. Did you know that I have a special talent for free throws? I can sink 15 basketballs consecutively from the foul line.
Ms. Murray: Wow that is great! You must be outstanding compared to your other classmates at the sport! I can also infer from the novel that you do not enjoy a certain activity after school. May I ask which activity this is for clarification?
Lucy: In fact, I do find a certain “activity” if you would even consider it one, to be notably dreadful. That is a Chinese School. My parents are forcing me to go, starting next week. This is a program where students, mostly of Chinese background, attend hours of boring, atrocious study. My parents say that it is good for me and will enhance my interest in the language and culture. I just think it will be a waste of time and come in the way of my basketball.
Ms. Murray: I am very sorry to hear this, Lucy. But maybe, in the end, you will see that Chinese School benefitted you. Are there any other worries or concerns you have in life right now? Maybe something that you are stressed, or angry about?
Lucy: Oh, yes. I actually am extremely stressed and uneasy about an upcoming change in my living situation. If you have not heard around, my late grandmother’s separated sister, Yi Po, is coming to live with us. I know it is confusing, but the fact of the matter is that I have never met her, and from what I’ve heard, she is nothing like my lovely grandmother was. And guess who is expected to share a room with her? Me! Right before my room was to be completely redecorated to my liking for once. And above all else, she doesn't even speak English. More Chinese for me! Overall, I am not excited for her coming in the slightest, and will not enjoy a second of her presence.
Ms. Murray: I am sorry to hear this, Lucy. The advice I have for you is just to stay positive, and not to dwell on the poor aspects of your life right now. Unfortunately, we have run out of time for our meeting, but it was great speaking with you for a short while. The next time we meet will be in 2 and a half weeks. We will follow up on your feelings on your current situation, and hopefully, you will have a better attitude about it all.
Interview #2:
Ms. Murray: Lucy Wu, welcome back! I have been waiting for our meeting to confer your emotions recently. You know, about your relative? I just wanted to hear from you in person, how has life been since the arrival? Are you happy or unhappy?
Lucy: Hello, Ms. Murray. Right Now, Yi-Po is staying in my room and I am very unamused about that. I even constructed a wall out of stuffed animals down the middle of my room, separating our two beds. Now, I can live without her watching my every move. The only problem is that she still does live in my house. I may be able to avoid her in my room but not everywhere else. Any mealtime, after school, and free time during the day is spent with her presence. And the worst part; my parents love her. They think that it is such a treat having her here. Because she does not speak a word of English, my parents have become even more strict about Chinese School. And what a waste of time is it. Every day I spend 3 hours learning a language that I don’t find an interest in. In spite of my parents forcing me to go to Chinese School, and my having to live with someone I would not like to, I avoid speaking to her in Chinese at all costs. Actually, I avoid any communication with her at all, whether that be eye-contact or any other form of interaction.
Ms. Murray: Yes, I have understood your annoyance in the book. I can see how this situation must frustrate you beyond belief. I am sorry you feel this way about your living environment, and how your aunt’s presence is altering your parents’ decisions for you. But I do believe that something good will come out of all of this in the end. I do not know what that may be, but I just want you to try your very hardest to be optimistic about this temporary change in your life. I know how much you adored your grandmother before she died. Is there anything about Yi-Po that reminds you of your beloved grandmother?
Lucy: As of my experience with her right now, I have not spotted any similarities between them. They were sisters and still, they do not resemble each other in the slightest. I mean, they’re appearances alone are the polar opposite. My grandmother wore clean-cut, collared shirts, and always looked her best. Yet, Yi-Po wears loose, raggedy clothing. I do not take her for someone who cares for their exterior look. Granted, this is only comparisons of physicality, but I am sure that the two are just as different on the inside as they are on the outside. My grandmother was the most caring, loving person in the entire world. She always put others first, and always appreciated my love for basketball when no one else in the family thought it was important. She was also an amazing cook. Her noodles were to die for!
Ms. Murray: It seems to me that you loved your grandmother very much. She was a very important person in your life. But I cannot help but think this new person in your life is so different from your grandmother. I do not think that you have looked deep enough into this person’s real personality yet. As you said previously, you have not even exchanged many words since she has arrived. You must not judge a person before you truly know them. I highly recommend that you give Yi-Po a fresh start and get to know the real her. Would you be willing to try?
Lucy: I can see your point, Ms. Murray. I will take this into consideration. I just cannot believe how two women born of the same parents can be so diverse. But, after what you have just told me, I guess I am shutting Yi-Po out completely. I may try to get to know her better--out of respect. But this will not change how I feel about everything in my life changing because of her visit.
Interview #3 (final interview)
Ms. Murray: Lucy you are back! It has been so long since we last had a meeting. I am dying to know all about your life and how you took my advice! Would you care to share how anything in your life has changed since then?
Lucy: Hi Ms. Murray, I have a feeling you will love what I have to say. To my surprise, opening a door to someone in my life was an amazing idea! Although I was hesitant at first, I started to engage more with her. Turns out, she has plenty to say, that I was happy to hear. I am so happy, Ms. Murray, that I did open this door between us. What came out of the door was something I never would have expected to be so life changing!
Ms. Murray: You cannot imagine how happy you have just made me, Lucy. I knew that you would be pleasantly surprised with the outcome of my advice. Do you think now that your aunt has more in common with the people you love most after all?
Lucy: In fact, yes. It is crazy how getting to know someone well can change your perspective on them completely. My thoughts on my aunt have been transformed, and I am extremely pleased with it. Yi-Po really does remind me in many ways of others whom I adore. When I look at her on the outside, no, I do not see my grandmother at all in Yi-Po. Not even a little. Their choices of clothing and self-appearance could not be more different. Yet when I speak to and listen to Yi-Po, she has the spitting image of my late grandmother.
Ms. Murray: Just as I suspected, Lucy. That is wonderful to hear. I must ask, how do you think Yi-Po has changed this year for you, or even your life?
Lucy: I never thought that I would say this, but yes. Without a doubt, my new relationship with Yi-Po has changed my life. I have made a new relationship I never thought to be possible between us. It is funny how the world brings people together. I believe the world brought Yi-Po and me together for a reason. This year was supposed to be a great year for me until Yi-Po came--so I thought. Yet I ended up discovering that Yi-Po changed my year drastically in ways I never would have thought.
Ms. Murray: That is just so powerful. The outcome of an unexpected visitor has been such an important part of your life. Your story is truly amazing and inspiring. The lessons you have learned in this past year are lessons everyone should know. My last thought for our meeting is that I am wondering, is there anything you can learn from this experience? Is there a theme that represents your overall thoughts of Yi-Po’s visit?
Lucy: Yes, Ms. Murray. I have learned so much this past year from Yi-Po’s visit. I have learned to never judge someone solely by looking at their physicalities. That is not the part of someone that matters-- that makes a good relationship. The inner qualities of a person are what make them special. Without realizing this, I would have never had the experience I did with Yi-Po this year, and thus never would have created such an incredible bond.
Mr. Schleifer
English 2H
9/28/18
Journal entry: I am meeting with Lucy Wu, who is featured in the novel, The Great Wall of Lucy Wu, by Wendy Wan-Long Shang. I will be meeting with her from time to time to discuss her life periodically during the book.
Interview #1:
Ms. Murray: Hi Ms. Lucy Wu, I am Ms. Murray, the school guidance counselor at the Washington DC School. I would like to talk to you about your life right now and about your current emotional state. I am very interested in your case in The Great Wall of Lucy Wu, by Wendy Wan-Long Shang. I have just started reading this book, and am just a chapter in. As the main character yourself, I just wanted to make sure everything in your life is okay. It seems to me, as said in the book and from what I have picked up on by ear that you are slightly unhappy with your upcoming living situation. I would like to initiate our conversation by asking you a few questions.
Ms. Murray: What activities do you enjoy (more specifically after school)?
Lucy: Well I absolutely love basketball. It is my favorite and most serious sport. It is the one thing that gets me away from school, parents, and other worries. Did you know that I have a special talent for free throws? I can sink 15 basketballs consecutively from the foul line.
Ms. Murray: Wow that is great! You must be outstanding compared to your other classmates at the sport! I can also infer from the novel that you do not enjoy a certain activity after school. May I ask which activity this is for clarification?
Lucy: In fact, I do find a certain “activity” if you would even consider it one, to be notably dreadful. That is a Chinese School. My parents are forcing me to go, starting next week. This is a program where students, mostly of Chinese background, attend hours of boring, atrocious study. My parents say that it is good for me and will enhance my interest in the language and culture. I just think it will be a waste of time and come in the way of my basketball.
Ms. Murray: I am very sorry to hear this, Lucy. But maybe, in the end, you will see that Chinese School benefitted you. Are there any other worries or concerns you have in life right now? Maybe something that you are stressed, or angry about?
Lucy: Oh, yes. I actually am extremely stressed and uneasy about an upcoming change in my living situation. If you have not heard around, my late grandmother’s separated sister, Yi Po, is coming to live with us. I know it is confusing, but the fact of the matter is that I have never met her, and from what I’ve heard, she is nothing like my lovely grandmother was. And guess who is expected to share a room with her? Me! Right before my room was to be completely redecorated to my liking for once. And above all else, she doesn't even speak English. More Chinese for me! Overall, I am not excited for her coming in the slightest, and will not enjoy a second of her presence.
Ms. Murray: I am sorry to hear this, Lucy. The advice I have for you is just to stay positive, and not to dwell on the poor aspects of your life right now. Unfortunately, we have run out of time for our meeting, but it was great speaking with you for a short while. The next time we meet will be in 2 and a half weeks. We will follow up on your feelings on your current situation, and hopefully, you will have a better attitude about it all.
Interview #2:
Ms. Murray: Lucy Wu, welcome back! I have been waiting for our meeting to confer your emotions recently. You know, about your relative? I just wanted to hear from you in person, how has life been since the arrival? Are you happy or unhappy?
Lucy: Hello, Ms. Murray. Right Now, Yi-Po is staying in my room and I am very unamused about that. I even constructed a wall out of stuffed animals down the middle of my room, separating our two beds. Now, I can live without her watching my every move. The only problem is that she still does live in my house. I may be able to avoid her in my room but not everywhere else. Any mealtime, after school, and free time during the day is spent with her presence. And the worst part; my parents love her. They think that it is such a treat having her here. Because she does not speak a word of English, my parents have become even more strict about Chinese School. And what a waste of time is it. Every day I spend 3 hours learning a language that I don’t find an interest in. In spite of my parents forcing me to go to Chinese School, and my having to live with someone I would not like to, I avoid speaking to her in Chinese at all costs. Actually, I avoid any communication with her at all, whether that be eye-contact or any other form of interaction.
Ms. Murray: Yes, I have understood your annoyance in the book. I can see how this situation must frustrate you beyond belief. I am sorry you feel this way about your living environment, and how your aunt’s presence is altering your parents’ decisions for you. But I do believe that something good will come out of all of this in the end. I do not know what that may be, but I just want you to try your very hardest to be optimistic about this temporary change in your life. I know how much you adored your grandmother before she died. Is there anything about Yi-Po that reminds you of your beloved grandmother?
Lucy: As of my experience with her right now, I have not spotted any similarities between them. They were sisters and still, they do not resemble each other in the slightest. I mean, they’re appearances alone are the polar opposite. My grandmother wore clean-cut, collared shirts, and always looked her best. Yet, Yi-Po wears loose, raggedy clothing. I do not take her for someone who cares for their exterior look. Granted, this is only comparisons of physicality, but I am sure that the two are just as different on the inside as they are on the outside. My grandmother was the most caring, loving person in the entire world. She always put others first, and always appreciated my love for basketball when no one else in the family thought it was important. She was also an amazing cook. Her noodles were to die for!
Ms. Murray: It seems to me that you loved your grandmother very much. She was a very important person in your life. But I cannot help but think this new person in your life is so different from your grandmother. I do not think that you have looked deep enough into this person’s real personality yet. As you said previously, you have not even exchanged many words since she has arrived. You must not judge a person before you truly know them. I highly recommend that you give Yi-Po a fresh start and get to know the real her. Would you be willing to try?
Lucy: I can see your point, Ms. Murray. I will take this into consideration. I just cannot believe how two women born of the same parents can be so diverse. But, after what you have just told me, I guess I am shutting Yi-Po out completely. I may try to get to know her better--out of respect. But this will not change how I feel about everything in my life changing because of her visit.
Interview #3 (final interview)
Ms. Murray: Lucy you are back! It has been so long since we last had a meeting. I am dying to know all about your life and how you took my advice! Would you care to share how anything in your life has changed since then?
Lucy: Hi Ms. Murray, I have a feeling you will love what I have to say. To my surprise, opening a door to someone in my life was an amazing idea! Although I was hesitant at first, I started to engage more with her. Turns out, she has plenty to say, that I was happy to hear. I am so happy, Ms. Murray, that I did open this door between us. What came out of the door was something I never would have expected to be so life changing!
Ms. Murray: You cannot imagine how happy you have just made me, Lucy. I knew that you would be pleasantly surprised with the outcome of my advice. Do you think now that your aunt has more in common with the people you love most after all?
Lucy: In fact, yes. It is crazy how getting to know someone well can change your perspective on them completely. My thoughts on my aunt have been transformed, and I am extremely pleased with it. Yi-Po really does remind me in many ways of others whom I adore. When I look at her on the outside, no, I do not see my grandmother at all in Yi-Po. Not even a little. Their choices of clothing and self-appearance could not be more different. Yet when I speak to and listen to Yi-Po, she has the spitting image of my late grandmother.
Ms. Murray: Just as I suspected, Lucy. That is wonderful to hear. I must ask, how do you think Yi-Po has changed this year for you, or even your life?
Lucy: I never thought that I would say this, but yes. Without a doubt, my new relationship with Yi-Po has changed my life. I have made a new relationship I never thought to be possible between us. It is funny how the world brings people together. I believe the world brought Yi-Po and me together for a reason. This year was supposed to be a great year for me until Yi-Po came--so I thought. Yet I ended up discovering that Yi-Po changed my year drastically in ways I never would have thought.
Ms. Murray: That is just so powerful. The outcome of an unexpected visitor has been such an important part of your life. Your story is truly amazing and inspiring. The lessons you have learned in this past year are lessons everyone should know. My last thought for our meeting is that I am wondering, is there anything you can learn from this experience? Is there a theme that represents your overall thoughts of Yi-Po’s visit?
Lucy: Yes, Ms. Murray. I have learned so much this past year from Yi-Po’s visit. I have learned to never judge someone solely by looking at their physicalities. That is not the part of someone that matters-- that makes a good relationship. The inner qualities of a person are what make them special. Without realizing this, I would have never had the experience I did with Yi-Po this year, and thus never would have created such an incredible bond.
December 8, 2015
A 3.5, really. I'm feeling generous, so I'm rounding up. (Also because I love - spoilers - how Lucy wins the can-donation contest. Despite her self-consciousness about her limited Chinese language skills, Lucy reaches out to Yi Po to invite her to the big basketball game. There, food donations are being accepted and counted to help decide who will be team captain during said big game. Without realizing it, Lucy had accidentally invited Yi Po's whole mah jongg group, all of whom show up with cans to donate. She therefore wins and gets to be team captain, which she desperately wants and totally deserves. I love when acts of kindness come back around to help someone in an unexpected way!)
I like the writing pretty well. The actual plot is cool, though it sometimes seems a touch message-y to me. I think part of that is that I don't always buy Lucy's emotional dilemmas. Like, she is SO convinced that Yi Po is going to ruin the party by making her delicious homemade dumplings for it. Be real, Lucy: everyone loves dumplings.
I tend to be low on sympathy for characters who refuse to tell authorities about bullying. I know the real reason so many of these characters don't tell: it would mess up the plot the author has planned out. In some cases, the character can convince me, if not that this is the best plan, that s/he at least BELIEVES it is the best plan. Lucy didn't convince me. Seriously, girl, what exactly do you think will go wrong/get worse if you tell someone about Sloane? She doesn't have proof that Sloane is the one picking on her, and maybe if she'd focused on that and gone specific, I'd have understood her decision more: "No one will believe me, and the likely consequence would be X." But after Yi Po witnesses Sloane and her friends TPing the house, Lucy DOES have evidence against the bullies, yet she refuses to use it.
I understand wanting to fight your own battles, but I also don't believe you have to meet bullies on their terms (e.g. keeping quiet and keeping authority figures out of it). Plus, protecting kids is part of the job of teachers/administrators and a BIG part of the job of parents! They should be given information that will help them do that job! If we want adults to be able to do brave acts of whistle-blowing when they see wrong-doing, we've got to get rid of the stigma of "tattling" among kids and teens.
Anyway. I like that Lucy, while she's way less into her Chinese heritage than her sister Regina is, isn't actively hostile toward it or anything. She objects to Chinese school because it conflicts with basketball practice and because she's self-conscious about her Chinese-speaking skills, not because she hates the idea of it. She balks at some unusual foods from Chinese tradition, but loves a lot of other Chinese food. I'm glad this isn't a "minority kid learns that it's okay/good to be different and embraces her heritage!" story. I feel like I've seen lots of those already. Like coming-out stories for LGBTQ characters, they definitely have value, but I like to see books featuring characters who are minorities but for whom accepting that fact (or getting others to accept it) isn't a central problem in the story. This one is more a "girl is inspired to be braver and less selfish as she learns to embrace long-lost relative" story.
Which brings me to Yi Po. I'm so curious about her life! I wish we got to see more of her as a person.
Anyway, fun book. I might even have learned a couple of things re: Chinese culture and also basketball! Right on.
I like the writing pretty well. The actual plot is cool, though it sometimes seems a touch message-y to me. I think part of that is that I don't always buy Lucy's emotional dilemmas. Like, she is SO convinced that Yi Po is going to ruin the party by making her delicious homemade dumplings for it. Be real, Lucy: everyone loves dumplings.
I tend to be low on sympathy for characters who refuse to tell authorities about bullying. I know the real reason so many of these characters don't tell: it would mess up the plot the author has planned out. In some cases, the character can convince me, if not that this is the best plan, that s/he at least BELIEVES it is the best plan. Lucy didn't convince me. Seriously, girl, what exactly do you think will go wrong/get worse if you tell someone about Sloane? She doesn't have proof that Sloane is the one picking on her, and maybe if she'd focused on that and gone specific, I'd have understood her decision more: "No one will believe me, and the likely consequence would be X." But after Yi Po witnesses Sloane and her friends TPing the house, Lucy DOES have evidence against the bullies, yet she refuses to use it.
I understand wanting to fight your own battles, but I also don't believe you have to meet bullies on their terms (e.g. keeping quiet and keeping authority figures out of it). Plus, protecting kids is part of the job of teachers/administrators and a BIG part of the job of parents! They should be given information that will help them do that job! If we want adults to be able to do brave acts of whistle-blowing when they see wrong-doing, we've got to get rid of the stigma of "tattling" among kids and teens.
Anyway. I like that Lucy, while she's way less into her Chinese heritage than her sister Regina is, isn't actively hostile toward it or anything. She objects to Chinese school because it conflicts with basketball practice and because she's self-conscious about her Chinese-speaking skills, not because she hates the idea of it. She balks at some unusual foods from Chinese tradition, but loves a lot of other Chinese food. I'm glad this isn't a "minority kid learns that it's okay/good to be different and embraces her heritage!" story. I feel like I've seen lots of those already. Like coming-out stories for LGBTQ characters, they definitely have value, but I like to see books featuring characters who are minorities but for whom accepting that fact (or getting others to accept it) isn't a central problem in the story. This one is more a "girl is inspired to be braver and less selfish as she learns to embrace long-lost relative" story.
Which brings me to Yi Po. I'm so curious about her life! I wish we got to see more of her as a person.
Anyway, fun book. I might even have learned a couple of things re: Chinese culture and also basketball! Right on.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2012
This book is so good on many levels. Unlike a lot of the MG stuff I've read in the last year or so, I think that this will actually appeal to the target audience. The characters are warm and believable and the sixth-grade narrator's voice is the most authentic I've come across in ... maybe ever. I bought it all, though I saw it all coming. Well, most of it.
There's a mean girl, and though I mostly don't like books with mean girls, this one felt way more real. I keep coming back to that, the realness of this book. Also the food. And the girl-boy interactions.
The only tiny bobble for me was the Chinese school- when we hear of it at first, it's a new venture, a start-up- but when Lucy gets there, it's an edifice, with multiple classrooms, lots of teachers, lots of bureaucracy.
4.5 stars.
There's a mean girl, and though I mostly don't like books with mean girls, this one felt way more real. I keep coming back to that, the realness of this book. Also the food. And the girl-boy interactions.
The only tiny bobble for me was the Chinese school- when we hear of it at first, it's a new venture, a start-up- but when Lucy gets there, it's an edifice, with multiple classrooms, lots of teachers, lots of bureaucracy.
4.5 stars.
September 1, 2014
I'm not done with this book because I can't finish it. Lucy is the most conceited, self absorbed brat ever. There was like a million cliques and it was so hard to get through! I just stopped reading.
June 29, 2011
I enjoyed this funny, sweet middle grade novel about Lucy Wu and her less than perfect sixth grade year.
February 4, 2017
Abigail and I both really enjoyed this one. Great for ages 8-11 I'd say.
July 17, 2017
This is a cute book with good theme, but as a piece of literature for a class, it won't hold up. I loved the great aunt story line and the bit of Chinese history included as well as the softening of Lucy's heart toward her, but the bullying strand seemed too contrived. A good free reading book report book, but not a work of fine children's literature.
March 29, 2018
Cute, honest, and funny! It addresses teen feelings and thoughts in an appropriate and realistic manner that makes this book fun. I loved it and could see kids in grades 5 and up enjoying it.
August 29, 2021
good book for elementary-middle grade, and, I think, good book for Chinese kids! bc lots of it is rly relatable
December 30, 2011
What a delight! This book is perfect for the older elementary age group, a group that kind of falls through the cracks as everything is for "tweens." Lucy and her family are totally assimilated Chinese Americans, but Lucy's parents want her to go to Chinese school, when she would rather play basketball. No stereotypes here at all, but real live people, even the secondary characters.
Can I also say that Lucy and her friend Madison are such well drawn characters that when their birthdays are mentioned I immediately thought of them in terms of their zodiac sign!
Also, the food made me want some dumplings stat! And the fact that the author is based in Fairfax Co, VA and mentions her favorite chinese restaurant made me want to go try it!
Can I also say that Lucy and her friend Madison are such well drawn characters that when their birthdays are mentioned I immediately thought of them in terms of their zodiac sign!
Also, the food made me want some dumplings stat! And the fact that the author is based in Fairfax Co, VA and mentions her favorite chinese restaurant made me want to go try it!
March 12, 2021
The Great Wall of Lucy Wu is a humorous, immersive middle-grade book with a memorable protagonist. Lucy Wu’s middle school trials and the struggles of being caught between cultures stand out. This book also examines Chinese history and culture in an accessible way, and encourages children of mixed cultures to give their parents’ cultures a fair chance. I would highly recommend The Great Wall of Lucy Wu to any readers who enjoy books about Chinese culture, funny protagonists, sports fiction, and books with loads of food references.
Read my full review on my blog.
Read my full review on my blog.
January 3, 2011
Relatable and realistic, this is a fresh, funny debut from an author I'm definitely going to be watching.
The style and realistic protagonist reminded me of the Judy Blume books I so loved when I was a kid (think Blubber or Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, not Forever...). I think it would make a great readalike to Millicent Min, Girl Genius and Stanford Wong Flunks Big Time, both by Lisa Yee and I'd also try it on fans of Andrew Clements' realistic fiction.
More on the blog: http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2011/...
The style and realistic protagonist reminded me of the Judy Blume books I so loved when I was a kid (think Blubber or Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, not Forever...). I think it would make a great readalike to Millicent Min, Girl Genius and Stanford Wong Flunks Big Time, both by Lisa Yee and I'd also try it on fans of Andrew Clements' realistic fiction.
More on the blog: http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2011/...
November 21, 2018
I think this book is little boring for me, it about a girl Lucy Wu and she is a 6 grade student. In this book it many many Chinese world, and also have one person to repeat that parts again use English. So i do not like it.
October 25, 2011
It seems like I've been reading a lot of MG novels where the main character is dealing with loss: The Great Wall of Lucy Wu, Fig Pudding, and Grounded come to mind.
I'm 30 and feel very fortunate to have not had to suffer a great loss in my life. I cannot imagine losing the people close to me. It pains me to know that young people deal with loss every day. I am glad that they have books to turn to that can help them get through the difficulties of losing people they love.
I'm 30 and feel very fortunate to have not had to suffer a great loss in my life. I cannot imagine losing the people close to me. It pains me to know that young people deal with loss every day. I am glad that they have books to turn to that can help them get through the difficulties of losing people they love.
September 1, 2015
I really loved this book! The beginning of the book starts off with Lucy Wu, an aspiring basketball player. But when her Great Aunt comes from China,her year starts off badly. She dislikes having to speak in Chinese all the time and hates when she has to trade basketball practices for Chinese school.
I really enjoyed the book because it was easy to relate to Lucy. I got attached to the cast of characters quickly, and the plot kept me reading on.
I really enjoyed the book because it was easy to relate to Lucy. I got attached to the cast of characters quickly, and the plot kept me reading on.
November 28, 2011
SO loved this book and these characters. A perfect middle grade novel--just enough real-life to think about long after closing the book.
August 2, 2017
Dot point review:
- Another book I wasn’t expecting to love but flew through.
- I have, for a long time, found stories about coming to respect one’s heritage overly forced, anvilicious and deeply untruthful. With hindsight, it simply could be that none of those stories matched my own “coming-to-respect-you-heritage” experience, which was more prosaic and piecemeal.
- I suppose in a white-dominant society, “culture” is a much more salient identity marker for people of colour rather than white people (who don’t have culture, of course /sarcasm), which means that everything we do or believe has the spectre of “they’re doing/thinking that because of culture” hanging over it. Obviously culture is extremely important to the identities of many people of colour, and has huge effects on their life, but I feel this is much less so for second/third/etc. generation people? To the point that the obsessive need to filter so much of our lives through the culture lens feels a little exotifying.
- As a child, I found it a little silly that people were so rapturous over their cultural history. Yes, it’s very interesting, but ... it’s not your experience. It’s your parents’. Why do you feel so intimately connected to something that you haven’t been through? To a life that isn’t yours? Now, I do see things a little differently, what with understanding the desire to continue one’s family traditions, respecting the wishes of one’s parents and the complexity of cultural identification.
- What I am trying to say is that I felt this book explored to the theme of cultural identity and heritage in a manner I could understand. I’m going through a bit of racial identity quandary myself, and having this sitting in my consciousness along with Laurinda, Cloudwish and Preloved is very comforting.
- The story here was quite naturally and authentically handled, I felt. Lucy’s Chinese identity changes organically according to the new things she experiences and people she meets. A lot of things that are central to Lucy remain by the end, but her viewpoint has expanded.
- Lucy’s sister is kind of bratty. I know she’s supposed to be a foil, but she lords her Chinese-ness over her younger sister and calls her a banana, which I thought merited a stronger response than the book gives her. Although she is shown to be better than that ... in-community cultural identity policing is gross, okay?
- Some other typical beats take place, like befriending the lonely book-smart student, having a crush on a boy, etc., but I was rather impressed by its ability to incorporate some rather difficult topics, such as racist bullying and trauma.
- The story ends with a climatic basketball game, which again relies on some tropes, but I really enjoyed that segment. All those years I spent playing basketball as a teen meant I could actually understand what was going on during the game, which made it genuinely tense to read about.
- Another book I wasn’t expecting to love but flew through.
- I have, for a long time, found stories about coming to respect one’s heritage overly forced, anvilicious and deeply untruthful. With hindsight, it simply could be that none of those stories matched my own “coming-to-respect-you-heritage” experience, which was more prosaic and piecemeal.
- I suppose in a white-dominant society, “culture” is a much more salient identity marker for people of colour rather than white people (who don’t have culture, of course /sarcasm), which means that everything we do or believe has the spectre of “they’re doing/thinking that because of culture” hanging over it. Obviously culture is extremely important to the identities of many people of colour, and has huge effects on their life, but I feel this is much less so for second/third/etc. generation people? To the point that the obsessive need to filter so much of our lives through the culture lens feels a little exotifying.
- As a child, I found it a little silly that people were so rapturous over their cultural history. Yes, it’s very interesting, but ... it’s not your experience. It’s your parents’. Why do you feel so intimately connected to something that you haven’t been through? To a life that isn’t yours? Now, I do see things a little differently, what with understanding the desire to continue one’s family traditions, respecting the wishes of one’s parents and the complexity of cultural identification.
- What I am trying to say is that I felt this book explored to the theme of cultural identity and heritage in a manner I could understand. I’m going through a bit of racial identity quandary myself, and having this sitting in my consciousness along with Laurinda, Cloudwish and Preloved is very comforting.
- The story here was quite naturally and authentically handled, I felt. Lucy’s Chinese identity changes organically according to the new things she experiences and people she meets. A lot of things that are central to Lucy remain by the end, but her viewpoint has expanded.
- Lucy’s sister is kind of bratty. I know she’s supposed to be a foil, but she lords her Chinese-ness over her younger sister and calls her a banana, which I thought merited a stronger response than the book gives her. Although she is shown to be better than that ... in-community cultural identity policing is gross, okay?
- Some other typical beats take place, like befriending the lonely book-smart student, having a crush on a boy, etc., but I was rather impressed by its ability to incorporate some rather difficult topics, such as racist bullying and trauma.
- The story ends with a climatic basketball game, which again relies on some tropes, but I really enjoyed that segment. All those years I spent playing basketball as a teen meant I could actually understand what was going on during the game, which made it genuinely tense to read about.
June 3, 2018
Plot & Pacing
The plot is pretty simple--Lucy's plan of having the perfect year ever is "ruined" when her great aunt Yi Po comes to stay with her, taking over her newly acquired room to herself. As Lucy finds herself in the middle of a war with a girl at school and struggles to adjust to the changes in her life, she begins to realize that maybe it will still be the perfect year after all.
The plot moved along at a great pace and sets a great lesson for children Lucy's age who may find themselves in similar situations. It also involves sports, which I'm usually not a fan of but I actually really enjoyed that subplot.
Setting & World-Building
Not quite sure where this is set but it felt like a realistic place, particularly the school. I liked that a lot of Lucy's home life and culture were featured.
Characters & Development
Even though I'm not Chinese, it was really easy to relate to Lucy. Reading from her POV reminded me of what it was like to be her age, even though we didn't always have the same struggles. She was realistic and developed well. Some of her thoughts made me laugh, and some made me cry. Lucy Wu is definitely one of my new favorite characters.
I actually really enjoyed all of Lucy's family, who all had different personalities. Yi Po ended up being my favorite, though. Despite not talking a ton because of the language barrier, her actions really spoke.
I also liked Lucy's best friend, Madison, and crush, Harrison. The rest of Lucy's class and teachers also came across as being real. It was interesting to see how the character of Talent developed over time and I ended up liking her as well.
Character Relationships
My favorite relationship was the one between Lucy and Yi Po. It literally moved me to tears and was a beautiful story about learning to love someone you never thought you could. I like how Lucy's grandmother/Yi Po's sister also played a role even though she wasn't physically in the story.
The friendship between Madison and Lucy also felt very real and I liked that they didn't always agree but were still there for one another. It was also sweet at how accepting Madison was of Yi Po. I also liked the friendship that began to grow between Lucy and Talent.
Lucy's crush on Harrison was adorable and spot on. Made me think of my own crushes around that age.
Writing & Voice
The writing was engaging, funny, and sometimes moved me to tears. Lucy's voice was great--she felt so real.
Climax & Ending
Really enjoyed how the climax played out. The ending made me cry.
Overall, I'd give this one 5 stars. I wasn't expecting to feel so deeply about this book but it's definitely one of my new favorites. It's a shame that it isn't more well known!
The plot is pretty simple--Lucy's plan of having the perfect year ever is "ruined" when her great aunt Yi Po comes to stay with her, taking over her newly acquired room to herself. As Lucy finds herself in the middle of a war with a girl at school and struggles to adjust to the changes in her life, she begins to realize that maybe it will still be the perfect year after all.
The plot moved along at a great pace and sets a great lesson for children Lucy's age who may find themselves in similar situations. It also involves sports, which I'm usually not a fan of but I actually really enjoyed that subplot.
Setting & World-Building
Not quite sure where this is set but it felt like a realistic place, particularly the school. I liked that a lot of Lucy's home life and culture were featured.
Characters & Development
Even though I'm not Chinese, it was really easy to relate to Lucy. Reading from her POV reminded me of what it was like to be her age, even though we didn't always have the same struggles. She was realistic and developed well. Some of her thoughts made me laugh, and some made me cry. Lucy Wu is definitely one of my new favorite characters.
I actually really enjoyed all of Lucy's family, who all had different personalities. Yi Po ended up being my favorite, though. Despite not talking a ton because of the language barrier, her actions really spoke.
I also liked Lucy's best friend, Madison, and crush, Harrison. The rest of Lucy's class and teachers also came across as being real. It was interesting to see how the character of Talent developed over time and I ended up liking her as well.
Character Relationships
My favorite relationship was the one between Lucy and Yi Po. It literally moved me to tears and was a beautiful story about learning to love someone you never thought you could. I like how Lucy's grandmother/Yi Po's sister also played a role even though she wasn't physically in the story.
The friendship between Madison and Lucy also felt very real and I liked that they didn't always agree but were still there for one another. It was also sweet at how accepting Madison was of Yi Po. I also liked the friendship that began to grow between Lucy and Talent.
Lucy's crush on Harrison was adorable and spot on. Made me think of my own crushes around that age.
Writing & Voice
The writing was engaging, funny, and sometimes moved me to tears. Lucy's voice was great--she felt so real.
Climax & Ending
Really enjoyed how the climax played out. The ending made me cry.
Overall, I'd give this one 5 stars. I wasn't expecting to feel so deeply about this book but it's definitely one of my new favorites. It's a shame that it isn't more well known!
October 21, 2016
This novel is about a Chinese American girl named Lucy who at the beginning of the book is not very interested in her Chinese culture. She doesn’t really enjoy the food, has little interest in learning the language and resents her older sister Regina for being so proud of her heritage. When she finds out that her grandmother’s long lost sister is coming to town and needs to share her room, which she just recently stopped sharing with her sister, Lucy becomes increasingly upset and convinced that her sixth grade year will not be the best year of her life after all. When Talent, another Chinese American girl at her school suggests to Lucy’s mother that she join the Chinese school that her parents have started Lucy is furious because it takes place on the same day as basketball practice, her favorite thing in the world. Lucy ends up being able to go to Chinese school and basketball. She begins to enjoy Chinese school because Harrison, the boy she likes goes there too. Lucy has problems at school with a girl who is also trying to become the captain of the sixth grade basketball team, like her. The girl begins to tease her and even throws toilet paper at her house and wrecks her basketball hoop on Halloween. Lucy is able to come to accept Yi Po when on her birthday, she makes her special noodles and gives her a basketball hoop. She comes to feel like she is the first one in her family that appreciates her love of basketball. Yi Po, whom she thinks is going to ruin her year, ends of being the catalyst to making it great again. She helps her become the captain of the basketball team and when she is ready to leave, Lucy realizes that she has grown to love her. I appreciated how much Chinese culture was explained through this narrative. I found the part about pronouncing a Chinese word with a different tone changed the meaning of the word interesting and something I didn’t know. I thought there were a few things here and there that were a little stereotypical, like such a strong emphasis on academics as opposed to sports and how Chinese people are expected to be good at math.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 12, 2018
In this story by Wendy Shang, Lucy must cope with all her dreams falling apart in what was going to be the best year of her life but it still ends up changing for the better.
In my opinion, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and by the time I reached the end, I still wanted to know what would happen next. However, something that I would change is that I would want to learn more about some of the characters in the text. I feel that characters make up a huge part of your story and it bothers me to just see a character in the story in who we learn nothing about. For example, I wanted to learn more about Madison or Talent in the story. Yet, I can see how this would not make sense in a story that surrounds someone different.
A part of the book that made me enjoy it so well is the addition of culture, race, and language and how each aspect impacts the story. Lucy thinks she knows enough Chinese to have a short conversation with someone, but she doesn't know enough, so her parents send her to Chinese school. This ends up helping her later when she needs to talk to Yi Po. We learn about Yi Po's devastating backstory in China. This was a part that really made me want to read more about it online. This was also the part where Lucy finally embraced her Chinese side and it was no longer just a hyphenated part of her life. Also because of her race, Lucy faced some discrimination from characters in the story which relates to the real world in which racism exists.
This leads into the second element I want to cover which is conflict. We see at the beginning of the story that Lucy is set to have the best year ever until we learn that Yi Po is coming to stay at the Wu residency for a few months. Knowing this, all of Lucy's dreams begin to crumble and in an instant, Lucy is faced with many problems, like having to deal with her Chinese school, Yi Po, and her bully, Sloane Connors. Yet slowly but surely, things will start getting better until the resolution is found.
Overall, this is a book that I would recommend to people who love a good plot or people who like seeing different types of people in stories, or to anybody who enjoys a good book!
In my opinion, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and by the time I reached the end, I still wanted to know what would happen next. However, something that I would change is that I would want to learn more about some of the characters in the text. I feel that characters make up a huge part of your story and it bothers me to just see a character in the story in who we learn nothing about. For example, I wanted to learn more about Madison or Talent in the story. Yet, I can see how this would not make sense in a story that surrounds someone different.
A part of the book that made me enjoy it so well is the addition of culture, race, and language and how each aspect impacts the story. Lucy thinks she knows enough Chinese to have a short conversation with someone, but she doesn't know enough, so her parents send her to Chinese school. This ends up helping her later when she needs to talk to Yi Po. We learn about Yi Po's devastating backstory in China. This was a part that really made me want to read more about it online. This was also the part where Lucy finally embraced her Chinese side and it was no longer just a hyphenated part of her life. Also because of her race, Lucy faced some discrimination from characters in the story which relates to the real world in which racism exists.
This leads into the second element I want to cover which is conflict. We see at the beginning of the story that Lucy is set to have the best year ever until we learn that Yi Po is coming to stay at the Wu residency for a few months. Knowing this, all of Lucy's dreams begin to crumble and in an instant, Lucy is faced with many problems, like having to deal with her Chinese school, Yi Po, and her bully, Sloane Connors. Yet slowly but surely, things will start getting better until the resolution is found.
Overall, this is a book that I would recommend to people who love a good plot or people who like seeing different types of people in stories, or to anybody who enjoys a good book!
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