Author: Bette Bao Lord
Title: In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson
Illustrator: Marc Simont
Genre: Chapter Book, Historical Fiction
Subgenre: Immigration, Prejudice/ Tolerance, Chinese American
Theme: Acceptance and embracing culture
Primary and Secondary Characters: Shirley Temple Wong, Shirley’s mother and father, Jackie Robinson
Awards: ALA Notable Children’s Book, Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies (NCSS/CBC), Jefferson Cup Award (Virginia), School Library Journal Best Book, Library of Congress Children’s Books, Jefferson Cup Award (Virginia)
Publishing Company: Harper and Row
Date of Publication: 1994
Brief Summary and How to Use With Students:
When Shirley Temple Wong’s father receives a new job shortly after World War II her family must move to America where they must learn to adapt to a new way of life. Shirley and her family must now try to adapt to American traditions while keeping their own.
This is a fantastic book to us for diverse classrooms. It is directed towards an older elementary/ beginning middle school grade level. It can be used to introduce traditions practiced by different cultures. An example is explaining Chinese New Year. This book also expresses the American dream, that anything is possible. This book can be used to encourage students to follow their dream and you can have them write up a journal entry describing what their dream is. You can also bring in foods from various cultures for students to try for when you read the chapter over when Shirley tries Moon Pies, an American favorite. Students can also research Jackie Robinson and begin a history discussion about the Civil Rights movement.
The link provided above provides a list of other project ideas to use for The Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson.
