Module 5 Book 2 -Novel by Grace Lin

A. Bibliography
Lin, Grace. 2006. Year of the dog. New York,NY: Little Brown and Company. ISBN: 0316060003.
B. Plot Summary

Pacy tries to discover her talents as she experiences life with her friends and family during the year of the dog.
C. Analysis ( with cultural markers).
Year of the Dog is a charming exploration of a year in one Taiwanese American elementary school girl's life.

The doodle-like,dotted line drawings accentuate the story. Pacy, who also has the Chinese name of Grace, struggles to come to terms with what it means what it means to be Taiwanese American. She also tries to fit in with her classmates. Pacy longs to be Dorothy in the school play, but is too embarassed to audition after a classmate taunts her that Dorothy was not Chinese.

Even as she longs to be as inconspicuous as her classmates, she enjoys the Taiwanese traditions of her family,such as the red egg party for her cousin Albert. She also relishes eating traditional Chinese food such as ginger and chicken soup.



While Pacy finds comfort in these traditions, they do not asuage the pain she feels in being different and unacknowledged. She struggles to fit in until her friend Melody arrives. Melody is also Taiwanese.

Unfortunately, Pacy finds out about Melody in an embarassing way because a cafeteria lady mistakes Pacy for Melody. To the cafeteria lady, " all Chinese look alike."
In the end, Pacy deals with this prejudice by deciding to write her own book because she wants to see a book about a little girl like her.



D. Review Excerpts

School Library Journal
This is an enjoyable chapter book with easily identifiable characters.

The Horn Book
With a light touch, Lin offers both authentic Taiwanese-American and universal childhood experiences, told from a genuine child perspective.

E. Connections
Have students visit the Institute of Texan Cultures in San Antonio to learn more about Chinese New Year.

Here are some other books about Asian and American culture that kids might enjoy.

Lin, Grace. Year of the rat. ISBN: 9780316114264. Sequel to Year of the dog.
Look,Lenor. Ruby Lu, Brave and True. ISBN: 0689849079
Namioka, Lensey. Yang the Youngest and his terrible ear. ISBN: 0316597015