Review by Booklist Review
In the series that includes The Year of the Dog (2006) and The Year of the Rat (2008), this longer book picks up Pacy's story as her family flies from upstate New York to her parents' homeland, Taiwan. Embarrassed that she and her two sisters are dressed in matching hot-pink dresses for the trip, Pacy is a reluctant traveler. But once she arrives in Taipei, she begins to open up to the new relationships, foods, and ways of thinking she finds there. Thoughtful and sometimes amusing, this episodic journey narrative captures Pacy's emotions and reflections, whether they involve an unfamiliar (and literally alarming) high-tech toilet or her newfound understanding of what it means to be both American and Taiwanese. The first-person narrative pauses at intervals to include stories that Pacy's relatives share with her, both traditional tales and memorable accounts of family members dealing with superstition, political oppression, and loss. While this engaging book broadens the series in a meaningful way, it also works well as a stand-alone title.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-6-Pacy, an 11-year-old Taiwanese-American girl first introduced in Grace Lin's The Year of the Dog (2005) and The Year of the Rat (2008), is struggling to balance two cultures and find her own identity. In this episode (2012, all Little, Brown), she travels with her family to Taiwan to attend their grandmother's birthday. Pacy is nervous about the visit because she doesn't speak Chinese and wonders what her extended family will think of her. As she experiences Taiwanese culture, meets kind relatives, and enjoys wonderful food, she gradually comes to appreciate her heritage. Lin's story is full of warmth and gentle humor. She includes interesting details about Taiwan and descriptions of food, holidays, and even the toilets. Despite the exotic setting, Pacy's family relationships and adventures are amusing because they are familiar: she has conflicts with her sisters, feels lost in unfamiliar places, and has fun trying new things. Angela Lin does a good job of voicing Pacy and her sister. She moves easily into the Chinese accents of Pacy's Taiwanese relatives, and authentically pronounces the few Chinese words. A good choice for Asian-American children who might be balancing two worlds, as well as for classes studying different cultures.-Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
In the first two books about Pacy Lin, Year of the Dog (rev. 3/06) and Year of the Rat (rev. 5/08), she makes a best friend, discovers a talent for art and writing, then deals with her best friend's move to California. In this third book, Pacy is the one leaving for a new place as she and her family travel to Taiwan for a month-long visit with relatives. In addition to devouring several new kinds of appetizing dumplings (her favorite Chinese food), Pacy unearths further layers to her identity as a Taiwanese American and gains even more confidence in her art after taking a difficult (and initially frustrating) painting class. In Pacy's first-person narration her identity issues are clearly stated and are explored in a straightforward manner that will appeal to many young readers. Although Dumpling Days is longer and more detailed than the first two books, Pacy's fans will recognize the familiar spot art and the short stories interspersed throughout, both of which break up the text into easily manageable pieces. Basing her story on her own childhood once again, author-illustrator Lin tells a tale that will have broad appeal, though her protagonist is wonderfully specific. jennifer m. brabander (c) Copyright 2012. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
bao dao, which sounds similar to the Chinese word for dumplings, she wonders--could Taiwan's treasure be food? In a companion novel to The Year of the Dog (2006) and The Year of the Rat (2008), gentle Pacy is back, brimming with questions of identity and self-discovery. At home in New York, Pacy is one of the few Asians in her class. She tries hard to fit in. In Taiwan, she looks similar to everyone else, but she doesn't speak Chinese or Taiwanese. So she doesn't fit in there either. Pacy's mom signs her up for a painting class, and Pacy is excited. She's a good artist; surely she'll make some friends. But painting with a bamboo brush on rice paper is difficult! The one talent that made her feel safe is suddenly gone; Pacy doesn't know who she is anymore or where she belongs. Luckily, there is a lot of loving family to surround her, and a lot of incredible food to eat (especially dumplings). This third outing is as warmhearted as the first two. Deftly weaving together historical anecdotes and simple line illustrations, Lin once again touches the heart of growing up in a multicultural family. (Fiction. 8-12)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
