What do you think?
Rate this book
Anna Wang #1
The Year of the Book
In Chinese, peng you means friend. But in any language, all Anna knows for certain is that friendship is complicated.
When Anna needs company, she turns to her books. Whether traveling through A Wrinkle in Time, or peering over My Side of the Mountain, books provide what real life cannot—constant companionship and insight into her changing world.
Books, however, can’t tell Anna how to find a true friend. She’ll have to discover that on her own. In the tradition of classics like Maud Hart Lovelace’s Betsy-Tacy books and Eleanor Estes’ One Hundred Dresses, this novel subtly explores what it takes to make friends and what it means to be one.
When Anna needs company, she turns to her books. Whether traveling through A Wrinkle in Time, or peering over My Side of the Mountain, books provide what real life cannot—constant companionship and insight into her changing world.
Books, however, can’t tell Anna how to find a true friend. She’ll have to discover that on her own. In the tradition of classics like Maud Hart Lovelace’s Betsy-Tacy books and Eleanor Estes’ One Hundred Dresses, this novel subtly explores what it takes to make friends and what it means to be one.
146 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
About the author
Andrea Cheng
27 books36 followersAndrea Cheng is a Hungarian-American children's author and illustrator. The child of Hungarian immigrants, she was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio in an extended family with three generations under one roof. Her family spoke Hungarian and English at home. After graduating with a BA in English from Cornell University, she went to Switzerland, where she apprenticed to a bookbinder, attended a school of bookbinding called The Centro del Bel Libro, and learned French. Upon her return, she returned to Cornell to study Chinese and earned an MS in linguistics. Now she teaches English as a Second Language at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College. Her children’s books include Grandfather Counts, Marika, The Key Collection, Honeysuckle House, Where the Steps Were, The Bear Makers, and Brushing Mom’s Hair. With her husband, Jim Cheng, she has three children: Nicholas, Jane, and Ann.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 496 reviews
August 1, 2012
I just read a book I wished I had read a year ago: "The Year of the Book" by Andrea Cheng
It's not a great story, but it's great because it is a year in the life of a modern, American Born Chinese girl. Here's why it's a powerful book to be familiar with as a fourth grade teacher. It's written at an AR 3.6 level - very much an "on the cusp" reading level for a somewhat struggling beginning fourth grader. It's a chapter book, but it's semi-illustrated so it's a good transitional book for those girls reading Junie B. Jones. It gets better. The character struggles with writing prompts and thinks through her thought process. She explains how she gets "lost in her book world" and constantly makes text-to-world and text-to-self connections. She feels like an outsider and struggles with a girl who is an on-again off-again friend, but eventually there is some genuine insight into how other families can be very different from our own. Oh, and instructions on how to sew bags, make wontons and even learn a few Chinese characters!
It's an easy read. I just wish I had this book in my classroom every year I've taught, especially last year when I had a room full of girls just like the two characters in the book. Again, not a revolutionary plot or poetic prose, but a strong book from the perspective of helping early 4th grade girls grow as woman and as readers!
It's not a great story, but it's great because it is a year in the life of a modern, American Born Chinese girl. Here's why it's a powerful book to be familiar with as a fourth grade teacher. It's written at an AR 3.6 level - very much an "on the cusp" reading level for a somewhat struggling beginning fourth grader. It's a chapter book, but it's semi-illustrated so it's a good transitional book for those girls reading Junie B. Jones. It gets better. The character struggles with writing prompts and thinks through her thought process. She explains how she gets "lost in her book world" and constantly makes text-to-world and text-to-self connections. She feels like an outsider and struggles with a girl who is an on-again off-again friend, but eventually there is some genuine insight into how other families can be very different from our own. Oh, and instructions on how to sew bags, make wontons and even learn a few Chinese characters!
It's an easy read. I just wish I had this book in my classroom every year I've taught, especially last year when I had a room full of girls just like the two characters in the book. Again, not a revolutionary plot or poetic prose, but a strong book from the perspective of helping early 4th grade girls grow as woman and as readers!
July 17, 2012
When a librarian sees a title of a book with the word “books” in it, it just has to be read. And I am so glad I did. This is a sweet story of friendship and how it is not always a smooth journey. Anna Wang is in fourth grade and in the past Laura has been her friend. But now Laura seems to spend more time with Allison and Lucy and Anna just doesn’t fit in. To escape the loneliness, Anna turns to her books. She finds courage in pages of My Side of the Mountain, and acceptance of her Chinese heritage in the pages of My Louisiana Sky. Anna is an ABC – American born Chinese. Her father is a manager of a Quik mart, and her mother cleans apartments but is studying hard to get her driver’s license and to become a nurse. Anna needs to attend Chinese school every Saturday which is just another thing that makes her so different from the other girls in her class.
But Anna discovers that not everything is as it seems. Laura is going through a very difficult time in her family and needs Anna’s support and friendship. At Chinese school, she meets Camille and discovers, with a little courage, she has another new friend. Anna learns that though books are wonderful, nothing beats the value of a true friend.
But Anna discovers that not everything is as it seems. Laura is going through a very difficult time in her family and needs Anna’s support and friendship. At Chinese school, she meets Camille and discovers, with a little courage, she has another new friend. Anna learns that though books are wonderful, nothing beats the value of a true friend.
January 28, 2022
This was a sweet book I read with one of my 3rd grade students recently. We both really enjoyed Anna’s story and the characters in her world, with both Asian and American cultures blending together harmoniously. Anna’s approach to friendships and especially how she cares for others was particularly endearing. We’re looking forward to reading book #2 next. Hope it’s just as good!
August 19, 2012
A fourth grade ABC (American born Chinese according to the book) struggles with her relationship with her mother, her feelings of being different because she is Chinese, and the 'how-to' of making friends. The book leads us through Anna's story, and while not all is perfect, she does find some answers to some personal questions. The title refers to the way that Anna seems to deal with her problems, by hiding in a book. While she shares some great titles like A Wrinkle In Time and My Side of the Mountain, the interaction between them and Anna's real life's problems are not connected. Anna is growing up, so typically critical of her mother, and shows embarrassment that her mother is only learning to drive. Finally, the complexities of being in and out of friendship with different girls makes Anna just want to hide. Because of personal problems, a former friend does come to stay for a few days, and Anna is forced to open her eyes to a young woman who wants to be her friend. It's a sweet book, and I loved Anna from the beginning.
June 8, 2017
I picked up this book from the library because I noticed the author's Chinese last name and also the Asian-American girl in the cover illustration. I'm always on the lookout for more diverse children's books, especially books by and about Asian-Americans, since I am Asian-American myself. As it turns out, the author is not Chinese! But presumably her husband is.
Despite not being Chinese herself, I think the author did a fine job portraying the realities of growing up Chinese in America. She makes casual mention of Chinese dishes and snacks, and even includes Chinese school - a typical part of the Chinese-American experience - as part of main character Anna Wang's struggles.
Though Anna Wang does need to come to terms with her Chinese-ness, I think the real focus of the story is Anna's struggle to make friends while 1) being an introvert (she would rather read or stay home and make airplanes with her brother and father than put effort into becoming better friends with Laura) and 2) negotiating the mean girl dynamics at school. Young readers who prefer the solitude of books, or who have felt the sting of being left out, will be able to relate to Anna Wang.
I'm not entirely sure, though, that Anna Wang is a likable character. The book kind of starts off with a bit of a melancholy tone, with Anna feeling down about not really fitting in anywhere. Her narrative voice is very matter-of-fact, not especially emotional, and she comes across as stand-offish. Interestingly, Anna seems more comfortable befriending adults like Mr. Shepherd and Ray than kids her own age. (It's lucky she has such kind and thoughtful adults in her life!) She's not even afraid to address a note to the school principal. Her ability to interact so confidently with adults makes her seem more mature, and "above the fray" that Laura gets caught up in - and I do like that about her. I also like that she spends her non-reading time doing arts and crafts and sewing for fun. She is both creative and productive!
I think this book also can reach a certain audience through Laura, Anna's friend who has troubles at home. I've read a lot of children's books, and it seems pretty rare for one to feature a character whose parents don't actually get along. Seems to me that some young readers might appreciate being able to relate to Laura, and it's only too bad that her character, and her family, are not fleshed out more.
Also, Laura's problems were clearly a catalyst in strengthening Anna and Laura's friendship. It almost seemed like it was too easy for Anna. She doesn't put much effort into making friends with Laura, but she doesn't have to, really, because Laura is thrown into her life, and Anna is forced to spend time with her.
Two final thoughts, one good, one bad.
The good: I always like it when a children's book can motivate readers to pick up other books, and this book mentions by name a whole bunch of books that Anna spends her time reading.
The bad: There is an egregious editing error towards the end of the book. On page 136 in my edition, twice 1998 is referred to as the Year of the Dog, but it's not. It's the Year of the Tiger. On the same page, and in an illustration on the next page, the book actually correctly refers to 1998 as the Year of the Tiger, which only adds confusion.
Despite not being Chinese herself, I think the author did a fine job portraying the realities of growing up Chinese in America. She makes casual mention of Chinese dishes and snacks, and even includes Chinese school - a typical part of the Chinese-American experience - as part of main character Anna Wang's struggles.
Though Anna Wang does need to come to terms with her Chinese-ness, I think the real focus of the story is Anna's struggle to make friends while 1) being an introvert (she would rather read or stay home and make airplanes with her brother and father than put effort into becoming better friends with Laura) and 2) negotiating the mean girl dynamics at school. Young readers who prefer the solitude of books, or who have felt the sting of being left out, will be able to relate to Anna Wang.
I'm not entirely sure, though, that Anna Wang is a likable character. The book kind of starts off with a bit of a melancholy tone, with Anna feeling down about not really fitting in anywhere. Her narrative voice is very matter-of-fact, not especially emotional, and she comes across as stand-offish. Interestingly, Anna seems more comfortable befriending adults like Mr. Shepherd and Ray than kids her own age. (It's lucky she has such kind and thoughtful adults in her life!) She's not even afraid to address a note to the school principal. Her ability to interact so confidently with adults makes her seem more mature, and "above the fray" that Laura gets caught up in - and I do like that about her. I also like that she spends her non-reading time doing arts and crafts and sewing for fun. She is both creative and productive!
I think this book also can reach a certain audience through Laura, Anna's friend who has troubles at home. I've read a lot of children's books, and it seems pretty rare for one to feature a character whose parents don't actually get along. Seems to me that some young readers might appreciate being able to relate to Laura, and it's only too bad that her character, and her family, are not fleshed out more.
Also, Laura's problems were clearly a catalyst in strengthening Anna and Laura's friendship. It almost seemed like it was too easy for Anna. She doesn't put much effort into making friends with Laura, but she doesn't have to, really, because Laura is thrown into her life, and Anna is forced to spend time with her.
Two final thoughts, one good, one bad.
The good: I always like it when a children's book can motivate readers to pick up other books, and this book mentions by name a whole bunch of books that Anna spends her time reading.
The bad: There is an egregious editing error towards the end of the book. On page 136 in my edition, twice 1998 is referred to as the Year of the Dog, but it's not. It's the Year of the Tiger. On the same page, and in an illustration on the next page, the book actually correctly refers to 1998 as the Year of the Tiger, which only adds confusion.
May 25, 2023
Anna Wang doesn't fit in. She's embarrassed to be Chinese-American, the daughter of an immigrant mother who doesn't speak English well and cleans houses for a living. At least her dad is ABC (American Born Chinese). Anna doesn't fit in at Chinese school either. She doesn't really speak the language, let alone know how to read and write "Chinese" (it doesn't specify if her mother in Mandarin or Cantonese speaking). Anna takes refuge in her books. A precocious reader, she loves nothing more than to retreat into the fantasy worlds of her novels where she can be herself, alone, at home. That's comforting when her old friend Laura becomes friendly with a mean girl. When Laura's new friend rejects her and Laura's home life becomes unstable and she needs a place to go, Anna's family steps in to take in Laura. Having Laura around forces Anna to become more social and to figure out who she is and where she fits in.
While the author is not Chinese-American, she was the daughter of immigrants and it sounds like her husband was Chinese-American. I think she did a credible job with this story about not fitting in and trying to figure out your place in the world. While Anna is specifically Chinese, nothing really racist comes up and it is only at Chinese school that her ethnicity and national origin matter most. There's a little bit of casual racism/tone deafness with another girl at school but it passes quickly. Anna deals with the ups and downs of adolescence including school, family and friend drama. Any kid can relate to that. The added dimension of Chinese school AND Laura's family turbulence adds to the story and makes it more appealing for older readers. Without that, it would be a simple story for 7-8 year old readers.
Anna seems a lot older than her age (4th grade). She reads big books, some of which even I wasn't ready for at that age. She's an introvert which I can relate to and she retreats into her books rather than face the cruel world. I get that and my mom did the same thing when she was an adolescent girl. Anna is anti-social like me and prefers reading to all else. She's kind of a pill and mean to her mother at times but Anna is also creative, empathetic and kind. She's a realistic and likeable character.
Anna's mom is learning English and cleaning houses so she can go to school to become a lawyer. That's pretty impressive and not something I could do easily. Rather than be impressed, Anna feels embarrassed that her mom's English isn't perfect, that they're poor and have to stay home on school breaks while her mom cleans the homes of wealthier people. Anna's mom seems to understand Anna pretty well and leaves her daughter alone which I appreciate. Anna's mom pushes her a bit to go to Chinese school and Anna's dad is supportive of the mom's decision.
The other adults are kind to Anna and accept her for who she is. Ray, the crossing guard, is her best adult friend. He is always friendly and kind to her. His relationship with Anna is special, like a grandfather. Ms. Simmons seems like a cool teacher. She's supportive of her students and tries to help them all grow and get along. The students seem to adore her.
Laura is a sweet girl and like Anna, she's confused about herself and where she fits in. She tries to be friends with Allison but Allison is your typical mean girl. Some days she's nice to Laura but other days she's not. Allison is a rich *itch who flaunts her family's status yet she uses people for what they can give her. When she doesn't get what she wants, she turns on them. Yikes! What will she be like as an adult? Reading between the lines, Laura's story deals with domestic violence. Her dad has anger management issues and it makes home life tough for Laura and her family. Laura is bewildered and overwhelmed by the changes in her life as her mom stands up for her family and removes the dad from the house. It's confusing for a kid and sad. Laura doesn't really understand the constant moving around or the need to stay at Anna's but she finds Anna's stable home life fascinating. Laura is interested in everything Anna finds embarrassing, even the wheelchair bound man Anna's mother cleans for. Hanging out with Laura helps Anna see that her life is pretty good.
Mr. Shepherd is a lonely widower. He doesn't get out much since he must use a wheelchair. Anna's mom cleans for him and takes care of when when he needs extra help. With the wisdom of adult years, he senses Anna's loneliness and Laura's need for a friend and helps the girls. Like Ray, Mr. S is a godfather, helping the girls, giving them things that were meaningful to him because they belonged to his wife. Having that connection helps Anna mature and see the importance of family.
Camille is Anna's first new friend. Camille is also American born to Chinese parents. She is struggling at her school and in Chinese school. She seems to have a learning disability but doesn't let her dampen her enthusiasm for learning new things. She also makes Anna see herself in a different way.
This is a cute book but a little dated. Please be advised there's one rude term for a person with intellectually disabilities that is no longer considered acceptable. It dates the otherwise contemporary story.
I really liked the illustrations, especially seeing the Chinese characters and craft projects. This would be a good book for the classroom. Unfortunately, it has been BANNED (and hopefully returned) from Central York, PA classrooms. There's almost no racist content and wouldn't make WHITE kids ashamed of being White. It would help kids like Anna accept their uniqueness and help kids like Allison understand and accept kids like Anna.
Anna's book list
My Side of the Mountain
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
Little Blue and Little Yellow: A Story for Pippo and Other Children
My Louisiana Sky
Hush
Charlotte's Web
a book with directions and patterns on how to make paper airplanes
A Wrinkle in Time
The Prince and the Pauper
A Wind in the Door
A Swiftly Tilting Planet
While the author is not Chinese-American, she was the daughter of immigrants and it sounds like her husband was Chinese-American. I think she did a credible job with this story about not fitting in and trying to figure out your place in the world. While Anna is specifically Chinese, nothing really racist comes up and it is only at Chinese school that her ethnicity and national origin matter most. There's a little bit of casual racism/tone deafness with another girl at school but it passes quickly. Anna deals with the ups and downs of adolescence including school, family and friend drama. Any kid can relate to that. The added dimension of Chinese school AND Laura's family turbulence adds to the story and makes it more appealing for older readers. Without that, it would be a simple story for 7-8 year old readers.
Anna seems a lot older than her age (4th grade). She reads big books, some of which even I wasn't ready for at that age. She's an introvert which I can relate to and she retreats into her books rather than face the cruel world. I get that and my mom did the same thing when she was an adolescent girl. Anna is anti-social like me and prefers reading to all else. She's kind of a pill and mean to her mother at times but Anna is also creative, empathetic and kind. She's a realistic and likeable character.
Anna's mom is learning English and cleaning houses so she can go to school to become a lawyer. That's pretty impressive and not something I could do easily. Rather than be impressed, Anna feels embarrassed that her mom's English isn't perfect, that they're poor and have to stay home on school breaks while her mom cleans the homes of wealthier people. Anna's mom seems to understand Anna pretty well and leaves her daughter alone which I appreciate. Anna's mom pushes her a bit to go to Chinese school and Anna's dad is supportive of the mom's decision.
The other adults are kind to Anna and accept her for who she is. Ray, the crossing guard, is her best adult friend. He is always friendly and kind to her. His relationship with Anna is special, like a grandfather. Ms. Simmons seems like a cool teacher. She's supportive of her students and tries to help them all grow and get along. The students seem to adore her.
Laura is a sweet girl and like Anna, she's confused about herself and where she fits in. She tries to be friends with Allison but Allison is your typical mean girl. Some days she's nice to Laura but other days she's not. Allison is a rich *itch who flaunts her family's status yet she uses people for what they can give her. When she doesn't get what she wants, she turns on them. Yikes! What will she be like as an adult? Reading between the lines, Laura's story deals with domestic violence. Her dad has anger management issues and it makes home life tough for Laura and her family. Laura is bewildered and overwhelmed by the changes in her life as her mom stands up for her family and removes the dad from the house. It's confusing for a kid and sad. Laura doesn't really understand the constant moving around or the need to stay at Anna's but she finds Anna's stable home life fascinating. Laura is interested in everything Anna finds embarrassing, even the wheelchair bound man Anna's mother cleans for. Hanging out with Laura helps Anna see that her life is pretty good.
Mr. Shepherd is a lonely widower. He doesn't get out much since he must use a wheelchair. Anna's mom cleans for him and takes care of when when he needs extra help. With the wisdom of adult years, he senses Anna's loneliness and Laura's need for a friend and helps the girls. Like Ray, Mr. S is a godfather, helping the girls, giving them things that were meaningful to him because they belonged to his wife. Having that connection helps Anna mature and see the importance of family.
Camille is Anna's first new friend. Camille is also American born to Chinese parents. She is struggling at her school and in Chinese school. She seems to have a learning disability but doesn't let her dampen her enthusiasm for learning new things. She also makes Anna see herself in a different way.
This is a cute book but a little dated. Please be advised there's one rude term for a person with intellectually disabilities that is no longer considered acceptable. It dates the otherwise contemporary story.
I really liked the illustrations, especially seeing the Chinese characters and craft projects. This would be a good book for the classroom. Unfortunately, it has been BANNED (and hopefully returned) from Central York, PA classrooms. There's almost no racist content and wouldn't make WHITE kids ashamed of being White. It would help kids like Anna accept their uniqueness and help kids like Allison understand and accept kids like Anna.
Anna's book list
My Side of the Mountain
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
Little Blue and Little Yellow: A Story for Pippo and Other Children
My Louisiana Sky
Hush
Charlotte's Web
a book with directions and patterns on how to make paper airplanes
A Wrinkle in Time
The Prince and the Pauper
A Wind in the Door
A Swiftly Tilting Planet
July 9, 2013
I used this as a read aloud in my classroom. It was a hit with boys and girls alike. The characters were interesting, the theme was positive and exhibited a strong message about friendship and compassion. My students also commented that they liked the integration of some Chinese language and culture.
June 28, 2021
This is why I thrift! I picked up a copy of this at my local thrift store and bought this because I saw some of my favorite books on the cover! This book follows an introverted bookworm in her fourth grade year. She's friends with the crossing guard at her school, who always says Hi to her. She strengthens her friendship with her classmate Laura throughout this book, and learns a bit about how some families are dysfunctional. This book has a gentle delivery on this, and I really appreciated how the drama never really got crazy, but gave the reader an idea to mull over and ask their parents about. There were also some excellent interactions between the characters of different cultures, asking questions about each other in polite ways. I highly recommend for younger audiences!
The only thing I had problems with is the crossing guard sometimes refers to Anna as "My girl" which seems inappropriate in its setting, as she is just a student at the school he works for.
And when Anna mentions the book she's reading, she toes the line on spoilers for a few books.
The only thing I had problems with is the crossing guard sometimes refers to Anna as "My girl" which seems inappropriate in its setting, as she is just a student at the school he works for.
And when Anna mentions the book she's reading, she toes the line on spoilers for a few books.
May 5, 2018
Anna Wang is ABC (American-born Chinese) in the fourth grade who loves to read. She's quiet, self-conscious, considerate, and a bit of a contemplative. She usually gravitates toward adults; they don't change their mind about friendship like girls her age. Anna doesn't like Chinese school, is embarrassed by her mother's imperfect English, and avoids the people who have hurt or disappointed her before. All very realistic.
One feature of the story is our peek at Anna's reading list. We get little teaser summaries of classics (new and old) that could become a reading challenge.
This is more 3.5 stars, shy of 4 stars mostly because of the tone. There's a feeling of moving from one struggle to the next, of never wanting to be where you are, of having to do things that are embarrassing. Again, very realistic for fourth grade. And Anna is balanced: playing with her younger brother, checking up on her friend the crossing guard, making cards and pictures for the people she cares about. But a little more reality than I personally like in a story (especially the hints of "family problems" her friend is going through, including restraining orders and needing to hide from her father.)
While I would choose carefully who I recommend this book to, I fully intend to read the rest of this series myself. Anna's perseverance won me over.
One feature of the story is our peek at Anna's reading list. We get little teaser summaries of classics (new and old) that could become a reading challenge.
This is more 3.5 stars, shy of 4 stars mostly because of the tone. There's a feeling of moving from one struggle to the next, of never wanting to be where you are, of having to do things that are embarrassing. Again, very realistic for fourth grade. And Anna is balanced: playing with her younger brother, checking up on her friend the crossing guard, making cards and pictures for the people she cares about. But a little more reality than I personally like in a story (especially the hints of "family problems" her friend is going through, including restraining orders and needing to hide from her father.)
While I would choose carefully who I recommend this book to, I fully intend to read the rest of this series myself. Anna's perseverance won me over.
March 15, 2022
A review by a 9-year-old bookworm: This book is about a 9-year-old girl named Anna as she navigates the school year. Anna likes books so when she is lonely she always has some company from her books. Her friend, Laura, has been hanging out with other kids so Anna reads books even more than before.
This is a great book if you need a little cheering up. In my opinion, this is a great book to read over and over again because I have probably read this around 25 times. I recommend this for kids ages 7 to 10. I just love this book.
This is a great book if you need a little cheering up. In my opinion, this is a great book to read over and over again because I have probably read this around 25 times. I recommend this for kids ages 7 to 10. I just love this book.
February 6, 2021
4⭐️
This is a gentle little book, perfect for bookworms. I thought the portrayal of a young introvert was spot on, delicately constructed. It was entirely true to life how Anna both loved retreating into the world of books but also somehow longed for friendship (but not TOO much friendship 😂). She learns that friendship takes effort and empathy and that putting your heart into it means taking risks. I loved all the mentions of excellent children’s literature throughout this series opener, and the grey scale illustrations add so much sweetness. The family dynamics were sensitively and realistically portrayed. I would put this in the hands of many young readers and I imagine it would be a favourite. I look forward to getting caught up with the rest of the series.
CW: divorce, possible / implied domestic abuse or toxic relationship
This is a gentle little book, perfect for bookworms. I thought the portrayal of a young introvert was spot on, delicately constructed. It was entirely true to life how Anna both loved retreating into the world of books but also somehow longed for friendship (but not TOO much friendship 😂). She learns that friendship takes effort and empathy and that putting your heart into it means taking risks. I loved all the mentions of excellent children’s literature throughout this series opener, and the grey scale illustrations add so much sweetness. The family dynamics were sensitively and realistically portrayed. I would put this in the hands of many young readers and I imagine it would be a favourite. I look forward to getting caught up with the rest of the series.
CW: divorce, possible / implied domestic abuse or toxic relationship
February 26, 2021
As an immigrant living in USA and trying to raise bilingual children here, this book was satisfying in several ways. The most important one for me was Anna’s reading journey. I really like the book in a book, and this book has a collection of them so it’s even better. I have given friends with little kids the book Little Blue and Little Yellow, I am very fond of it. Always will be I think.
As a parent, I really liked when Anna was invited to go play at a friend’s house or asked on play dates, and she was thinking, “But I want to stay home and make airplanes with my little brother!” You dream that siblings will prefer each other over friends.
As a parent, I really liked when Anna was invited to go play at a friend’s house or asked on play dates, and she was thinking, “But I want to stay home and make airplanes with my little brother!” You dream that siblings will prefer each other over friends.
October 16, 2018
I found this book because I am doing an Alphabet Reading challenge and none of the libraries near me had the book I wanted to read for "Y"; so I just looked randomly on the shelves and this was the first one I came across that the synopsis didn't repulse me.
It was a cute little book! A nice, easy beginner reader about a girl who likes to read books learning how to become friends and get outside into life. It's just a very quiet, gentle book about growing a little bit. I enjoyed it after some of the crazy stuff I've been reading lately; it was a nice change.
It was a cute little book! A nice, easy beginner reader about a girl who likes to read books learning how to become friends and get outside into life. It's just a very quiet, gentle book about growing a little bit. I enjoyed it after some of the crazy stuff I've been reading lately; it was a nice change.
May 14, 2015
This book was very very good. It is definitely in my top 3 books that we have read for the parent/child book club at our beloved APL. I like the the author's writing style, it kept my interest and was simple while being profound at the same time. I also thought it was an excellent illustrations about what 4th grade is really like, especially for kids who are in grade school today. So many parts of this book made me think of my 4th grade daughter's real experiences every day. The friends who are sometimes nice, sometimes not. The competition amongst friends - with an odd man out. The peer pressure put out there by some friends to always do things their way, or do the things they say. The judgemental-ness of 9 and 10 year olds - not always listening to directions themselves, but judging someone else's work to be wrong or weird anyway. This book was really very well done. And the real life issues, like Laura's scary dad and him knocking on Anna's door to find her...this book doesn't shy away from some of the parts of life that aren't all that pretty.
Oh, and so many other books referenced throughout this one...I'm in heaven! My goodreads list is just growing and growing. Can't wait to read Little Blue and Little Yellow. I loved that Anna is such a voracious reader - I am too! Can't wait to see what A and L think of this book, too!!
Oh, and so many other books referenced throughout this one...I'm in heaven! My goodreads list is just growing and growing. Can't wait to read Little Blue and Little Yellow. I loved that Anna is such a voracious reader - I am too! Can't wait to see what A and L think of this book, too!!
August 18, 2012
In this story, a shy Chinese-American girl turns to books to get through her fourth grade year but learns to make friends with a little girl whose family is going through a bad divorce, an elderly widowed man, and her school's crossing guard.
What I enjoyed about this book was that Anna reminded me of me--I had a terrible time making friends as a child and also dove into books. I also liked that the book addressed divorce, a parent whose first language is not English and is going to college, and parents who have jobs other than "doctor, lawyer, teacher." I definitely related to Anna feeling too embarrassed to say that her mom cleans houses and office buildings for a living (Anna's dad works at a gas station); my parents work in canneries operating machinery, and I always agonized over that when I was young. I feel like many children in our non-affluent county would be able to relate to this story since many families are going through unemployment and foreclosures, and many children have parents whose native language is not English.
What I enjoyed about this book was that Anna reminded me of me--I had a terrible time making friends as a child and also dove into books. I also liked that the book addressed divorce, a parent whose first language is not English and is going to college, and parents who have jobs other than "doctor, lawyer, teacher." I definitely related to Anna feeling too embarrassed to say that her mom cleans houses and office buildings for a living (Anna's dad works at a gas station); my parents work in canneries operating machinery, and I always agonized over that when I was young. I feel like many children in our non-affluent county would be able to relate to this story since many families are going through unemployment and foreclosures, and many children have parents whose native language is not English.
September 30, 2013
The Year of the Book by Andrea Cheng – 3rd grade and up, Realistic Fiction – So, what flew through my mind within the first chapter? I ABSOLUTELY LOVE this character! It was wonderful to read a book that I knew would partner well with my students who love Lenore Look’s Ruby Lu Brave and True and Grace Lin’s Year of the Dog in addition to many other favorite early chapter book/fiction realistic fiction novels that are touching, thoughtful, innocent, humorous, and compelling reads. I loved reading this book with Anna goes to her favorite books instead of people when she feels lonely. There are many beautiful exploration of friendship moments throughout the book. Loved how I followed Anna through a school year of reading, growing, and many beautiful moments of appreciation. I think my favorite thing is that Anna is creative and has interests outside of her obsession of reading, still a pretty balanced kid!
November 23, 2014
This is a sweet, quick read. I enjoyed it, although I felt like more needed to happen. I don't think I will remember much of this book for very long. There are lots of fun literary references though!
This reminded me a bit of Project Mulberry by Linda Sue Park.
This reminded me a bit of Project Mulberry by Linda Sue Park.
July 3, 2018
Anna Wang is afraid she's losing her friend Laura to Allison and Lucy, but she doesn't know what to do about it. She's more comfortable with her books and crafting activities. In addition, her mother's job of cleaning isn't something she wants known because she doesn't find it something to be proud of, despite the fact that her mother is working toward attending nursing school while learning English and how to drive. Anna struggles to know how to be a friend to Laura when she wants to do other things, especially when it becomes apparent that things are not going well for Laura at home and Laura still seems to prefer Allison. But gradually, with the help of her family, Anna learns what it means to be a good friend. Cheng has created a great character in Anna, one that I could really relate to, because I was a lot like her. While I'm not Chinese American, I could relate to Anna's social awkwardness and love of reading. I enjoyed reading about Anna's family's Chinese traditions as well. This is a fun series for young readers about growing up in America while keeping one's own heritage alive and well.
July 24, 2017
A sweet, middlegrade story of friendships, growing pains, fitting in and forgiveness. This is the first book in the series. Anna is an ABC - American Born Chinese. She's trying to figure out where and how she fits in, especially when her best friend starts spending time with some girls who aren't so nice to Anna.
April 18, 2018
Sweet little book about a third-grade girl learning to be a friend. Probably the best kid-lit I read for the first time for my job this school year, complete with casual diversity and lovely realistic depictions of how children struggle to process peripheral drama of the adults in their lives.
January 30, 2018
I enjoyed reading this book, very much!
January 4, 2019
A solid chapter book for 3rd or 4th graders. It may especially appeal to a young book lover who is more introverted or struggling with friendships in his or her own life. I enjoyed how the main character was able to relate her "book friends'" experiences to her own life.
February 25, 2021
This was a cute book. I would recommend this book to middle school age. I just enjoyed reading it cause it was such a light read.
March 6, 2023
I liked it because in was all about reading and I love to read.
Read
July 13, 2012I really like this charming little middle grade book. I appreciate that it tells a contemporary story with an ABC (American Born Chinese) protagonist that has some Chinese cultural things sprinkled through without making the heritage a “problem” in her life or in her relationship with her friends. I think Andrea Cheng really captures that 10-year-old-book-lover-in-the-process-of-sorting-out-friendship-and-family-relations spirit and she successfully implies many emotions and events without ever becoming overtly preachy or melodramatic. The cover is lovely. The trim size is cozy. The occasional illustrations cannot be more warm or eye-pleasing. I think it will be loved by many readers and teachers can happily use it with their students. After all, there is the subtle mean-girl scenario that is handled so well and there is reading and writing realistically reflecting many students’ experiences.
The possibility of its wide classroom applicability is why I feel obligated, as someone who can read Chinese fluently, to list some of the spelling, factual, and pictorial mistakes in the book, so adults who use this book with children can help them correct these in the book. Here are the ones I spotted, in page order:
On the page of the Pronunciation Guide: the last word “Happiness” is marked with the correct pin yin “Xing fu” but where there should be the Chinese character “xing” 幸，there is the hand written pin yin of “Fu.”
On page 43: The Chinese Characters and the English are mismatched:
The Chinese Characters are
Pumpkin –> Black Cat –> Witch
but the English labels read:
Witch –> Pumpkin –> Black Cat
On page 45: When discussing about what the moon is like… Anna says that her mom told her the moon is an old lady… which is definitely news to me. Traditionally we think of these three characters as long term residents on the moon: The Goddess Chang Eh, the Wood Cutter Wu Gang, and the Jade Rabbit. Sometimes we also say that there is a magical Toad on the moon. But, old lady? Hmm… This could just be the result of different families and the stories they pass down.
On page 76: The text says that the Chinese teacher is teaching words like snow, ice, and cold. The illustration shows the Chinese characters of Snow, Ice, and Cold correctly — but the English label shows, Snow, Ice, and Wind.
On page 110: (I verified this with the pronunciation guide and also the author’s own text on page 143.) The text shows, “We sit at the kitchen table and have my favorite bean paste, bao zia, for a snack.” Chinese eat sweet bao zi (steamed buns) with red bean paste filling as snacks, but I seldom see people eat bean paste directly … and bean paste is called “dou sha,” not “bao zi.” Here also, zi is mistyped as zia, which is not a sound found in Chinese words.
On page 131: When discussing the Chinese Zodiac animals, the author lists “Dog, cat, cow, horse, rooster, and rat” where anyone familiar with the Chinese zodiac or the Chinese zodiac stories knows that CAT is excluded from the zodiac. There is no “Year of the Cat!”
On page 136: When making the timeline, Anna puts down her birth year as 1998 and states that it’s the Year of the Dog. This is erroneous. 1998 is the Year of the Tiger. Year of the Dog is either 1994 or 2006.
These are all non plot-essential mistakes and it does not take away the integrity of the character development or the flavor of the setting. However, in this day and age where we are teaching each other and our children to be culturally sensitive and as accurate as we can be, and where Chinese speaking and writing people who can take a quick look and point out mistakes to be corrected before going to print should not be very hard to find, finding these many mistakes in one small, 146-page book simply stuns me.
The possibility of its wide classroom applicability is why I feel obligated, as someone who can read Chinese fluently, to list some of the spelling, factual, and pictorial mistakes in the book, so adults who use this book with children can help them correct these in the book. Here are the ones I spotted, in page order:
On the page of the Pronunciation Guide: the last word “Happiness” is marked with the correct pin yin “Xing fu” but where there should be the Chinese character “xing” 幸，there is the hand written pin yin of “Fu.”
On page 43: The Chinese Characters and the English are mismatched:
The Chinese Characters are
Pumpkin –> Black Cat –> Witch
but the English labels read:
Witch –> Pumpkin –> Black Cat
On page 45: When discussing about what the moon is like… Anna says that her mom told her the moon is an old lady… which is definitely news to me. Traditionally we think of these three characters as long term residents on the moon: The Goddess Chang Eh, the Wood Cutter Wu Gang, and the Jade Rabbit. Sometimes we also say that there is a magical Toad on the moon. But, old lady? Hmm… This could just be the result of different families and the stories they pass down.
On page 76: The text says that the Chinese teacher is teaching words like snow, ice, and cold. The illustration shows the Chinese characters of Snow, Ice, and Cold correctly — but the English label shows, Snow, Ice, and Wind.
On page 110: (I verified this with the pronunciation guide and also the author’s own text on page 143.) The text shows, “We sit at the kitchen table and have my favorite bean paste, bao zia, for a snack.” Chinese eat sweet bao zi (steamed buns) with red bean paste filling as snacks, but I seldom see people eat bean paste directly … and bean paste is called “dou sha,” not “bao zi.” Here also, zi is mistyped as zia, which is not a sound found in Chinese words.
On page 131: When discussing the Chinese Zodiac animals, the author lists “Dog, cat, cow, horse, rooster, and rat” where anyone familiar with the Chinese zodiac or the Chinese zodiac stories knows that CAT is excluded from the zodiac. There is no “Year of the Cat!”
On page 136: When making the timeline, Anna puts down her birth year as 1998 and states that it’s the Year of the Dog. This is erroneous. 1998 is the Year of the Tiger. Year of the Dog is either 1994 or 2006.
These are all non plot-essential mistakes and it does not take away the integrity of the character development or the flavor of the setting. However, in this day and age where we are teaching each other and our children to be culturally sensitive and as accurate as we can be, and where Chinese speaking and writing people who can take a quick look and point out mistakes to be corrected before going to print should not be very hard to find, finding these many mistakes in one small, 146-page book simply stuns me.
April 15, 2015
I love books about books...about kids who love to read. This book is written for a fourth-grade audience, but I liked it just the same. The protagonist is a book-o-phile who even hates to go to school because it cuts down on her reading time. Socially, she doesn't fit in...go figure.
Here's a snippet from an Amazon reviewer: (More like a BLIPPET!)
My only criticism (and it is mild) is that some of the books Anna reads are a bit sophisticated for the intended audience of THE YEAR OF THE BOOK. Even classics like E.L. Konigsburg's FROM THE MIXED-UP FILES OF MRS. BASIL E. FRANKWEILER might be a stretch for kids just learning to read. Other titles, like Jacqueline Woodson's HUSH (about a murder witness who goes into the witness protection program) or MY LOUISIANA SKY by Kimberly Willis Holt (about a girl dealing with her mentally disabled mother), might be deemed inappropriate for newly minted readers. Nevertheless, it is rare to find a chapter book that so deftly captures the inner life of its protagonist in such simple and absorptive language. THE YEAR OF THE BOOK does not talk down to its readers or make any assumptions about what they should or should not be reading. Instead, it finds a way to bridge the many challenges Anna must deal with, whether it's relationships with friends and family, or how to be your own person without excluding others.
People often describe reading as an "escape." I've always resented this phrase because it makes reading sound like a self-indulgent vacation. For me, reading has always been a much more engaging activity than simple amusement. Not only is it a way to explore new vistas and ideas that otherwise would not have been available to me in the confines of my home, reading also has been essential to my education in being human. I suspect that Andrea Cheng knows this, too. THE YEAR OF THE BOOK both celebrates readers and encourages them to take the next step to connect with the very real plots and people that populate our individual worlds.
Here's a snippet from an Amazon reviewer: (More like a BLIPPET!)
My only criticism (and it is mild) is that some of the books Anna reads are a bit sophisticated for the intended audience of THE YEAR OF THE BOOK. Even classics like E.L. Konigsburg's FROM THE MIXED-UP FILES OF MRS. BASIL E. FRANKWEILER might be a stretch for kids just learning to read. Other titles, like Jacqueline Woodson's HUSH (about a murder witness who goes into the witness protection program) or MY LOUISIANA SKY by Kimberly Willis Holt (about a girl dealing with her mentally disabled mother), might be deemed inappropriate for newly minted readers. Nevertheless, it is rare to find a chapter book that so deftly captures the inner life of its protagonist in such simple and absorptive language. THE YEAR OF THE BOOK does not talk down to its readers or make any assumptions about what they should or should not be reading. Instead, it finds a way to bridge the many challenges Anna must deal with, whether it's relationships with friends and family, or how to be your own person without excluding others.
People often describe reading as an "escape." I've always resented this phrase because it makes reading sound like a self-indulgent vacation. For me, reading has always been a much more engaging activity than simple amusement. Not only is it a way to explore new vistas and ideas that otherwise would not have been available to me in the confines of my home, reading also has been essential to my education in being human. I suspect that Andrea Cheng knows this, too. THE YEAR OF THE BOOK both celebrates readers and encourages them to take the next step to connect with the very real plots and people that populate our individual worlds.
October 23, 2012
This book covers the ups and downs of Anna Wang’s grade four year. Anna is a quiet, meticulous child who enjoys reading and sewing. She is less enchanted with Chinese school, which her mother insists she attend, and is wary of her fair-weather friend Laura, who seems to prefer the company of mean-girl in training Allison.
Author Andrea Cheng nails the politics of childhood, especially triangular relationships. Laura seems to prefer Anna’s company, but chooses Allison over Anna when push comes to shove. Allison is that dominating, bossy person who pits people against each other and makes everyone vie for her attention. We’ve all known girls like this. Under Cheng’s careful character study, neither Allison or Laura are totally demonized, but we (the reader and Anna) are given little insights into why they behave the way they do. This is a fine balance to achieve but Cheng pulls it off marvelously.
This is one of those rare early chapter books that gets everything right: the level of language (not too sophisticated), friendship and parental anxieties, chapter length, font size, use of illustration. Everything here is perfect for grade 3, 4 maybe even 5 readers. Her tone reminds me of Jean Little’s middle grade; straight forward, honest and sensitive. She is a writer who knows how important moments of comfort (food, routine, family) are to young readers. Abigail Halpin’s black and white spot illustrations add warmth and charm to the story.
Fans of Ivy and Bean who are ready for something with a bit more substance and emotional impact but are not ready for the full-on literary drama of say Rebecca Stead or Jenny Han will appreciate this novel. I sure did!
Author Andrea Cheng nails the politics of childhood, especially triangular relationships. Laura seems to prefer Anna’s company, but chooses Allison over Anna when push comes to shove. Allison is that dominating, bossy person who pits people against each other and makes everyone vie for her attention. We’ve all known girls like this. Under Cheng’s careful character study, neither Allison or Laura are totally demonized, but we (the reader and Anna) are given little insights into why they behave the way they do. This is a fine balance to achieve but Cheng pulls it off marvelously.
This is one of those rare early chapter books that gets everything right: the level of language (not too sophisticated), friendship and parental anxieties, chapter length, font size, use of illustration. Everything here is perfect for grade 3, 4 maybe even 5 readers. Her tone reminds me of Jean Little’s middle grade; straight forward, honest and sensitive. She is a writer who knows how important moments of comfort (food, routine, family) are to young readers. Abigail Halpin’s black and white spot illustrations add warmth and charm to the story.
Fans of Ivy and Bean who are ready for something with a bit more substance and emotional impact but are not ready for the full-on literary drama of say Rebecca Stead or Jenny Han will appreciate this novel. I sure did!
December 26, 2016
An easy and pleasant read about an American born Chinese girl, dealing with everyday problems and reading lots of books.
Anna is in 4th grade (around 9-10 years old?), loves to read, doesn't like to learn Chinese, and isn't very good at friendships. Because of the events, she meets a new girl and also learns to appreciate more the time she spends with her childhood friend.
An easy read with a small number of pages, nice illustrations and a low level of language. I'm not complaining here, it's a good level for young readers and it was a pleasant read for me. Anna was a nice main character (probably very annoying for extroverts) and reminded me of my younger self who liked to read, climb in trees and build paper planes. It was interesting to see how she dealt with the various relationships and how her own Chinese culture didn't really matter for her, while other kids found it appealing. The book wasn't trying to prove something or to show that preserving your roots is essential, the message was more to mix everything and to keep and share what matters to you, which I appreciated. I also enjoyed Anna's point of view and her easy problems, how she dismissed her interesting life and the fact that her mother was working hard on improving her own life (language and work). The female cast added some depth to the story, but I was disappointed that the male cast was so much in the shadows (except for Ray), I prefer when the genders are more balanced. Overall, a good read, I'll continue the series.
Anna is in 4th grade (around 9-10 years old?), loves to read, doesn't like to learn Chinese, and isn't very good at friendships. Because of the events, she meets a new girl and also learns to appreciate more the time she spends with her childhood friend.
An easy read with a small number of pages, nice illustrations and a low level of language. I'm not complaining here, it's a good level for young readers and it was a pleasant read for me. Anna was a nice main character (probably very annoying for extroverts) and reminded me of my younger self who liked to read, climb in trees and build paper planes. It was interesting to see how she dealt with the various relationships and how her own Chinese culture didn't really matter for her, while other kids found it appealing. The book wasn't trying to prove something or to show that preserving your roots is essential, the message was more to mix everything and to keep and share what matters to you, which I appreciated. I also enjoyed Anna's point of view and her easy problems, how she dismissed her interesting life and the fact that her mother was working hard on improving her own life (language and work). The female cast added some depth to the story, but I was disappointed that the male cast was so much in the shadows (except for Ray), I prefer when the genders are more balanced. Overall, a good read, I'll continue the series.
June 14, 2013
The Year of the Book has a cozy feel to it, perhaps because of the hopeful outlook. Though Anna, our heroine, isn't absolutely loving all the changes that come with being in fourth grade, she has much to be thankful for. Anna gets great joy out of reading. Almost every chapter in this one includes Anna reading a new book or talking about a new book. Sometimes she's sharing memories of a book she loved, loved, loved long ago like Little Blue and Little Yellow (by Leo Lionni), and other times she's talking about her newest favorite-favorite book like A Wrinkle in Time or From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. I love her approach to life, if she has vacation, of course, she's going to spend it reading a new library book each day?! What else would she do?! But a love of book isn't all there is to Anna. She also loves to sew and make crafts. And it isn't hard to see that Anna cares about people deeply too. Sure, at the beginning, Anna seems like she is guarding herself a bit, hesitant to trust her old friend, Laura, since Laura has seemed so different, not quite herself since the start of the new school year. I love how open her heart is, though. How Anna takes time to care for people that may not receive a lot of attention or notice or care. There is something real about Anna and that is what I appreciated most in this tender novel.
February 21, 2024
I enjoyed this book far more than I originally thought I would, for so many reasons. This is a real-life fictional story told from the perspective of Chinese-American fourth grader, Anna Wang. This little girl reminds me so much of myself at that age. Books are Anna's best friends and reading is her favorite thing in the world to do. She enjoys the learning aspect of school more than socializing, and takes more of an interest in the school's employees (mainly her teachers and the crossing guard) than other students. Anna seems to have an old soul and a compassionate heart. Her concern for others eventually gains her an unexpected friendship, and she learns what it means to have a true friend and be a true friend.
I like that the first person narrator, 10-year-old Anna, seems very natural and real as she speaks about her life... I also really enjoyed the Chinese language and culture that was brought into The Year of the Book! I can see reading this book again in the future, and I liked it enough to continue onto the next book in the series. :)
I like that the first person narrator, 10-year-old Anna, seems very natural and real as she speaks about her life... I also really enjoyed the Chinese language and culture that was brought into The Year of the Book! I can see reading this book again in the future, and I liked it enough to continue onto the next book in the series. :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 496 reviews