Mei Ling in China City (Japanese-English)

Author: Icy Smith
Illustrated by: Gayle Garner Roski
Hardcover: 44 page(s)
Age Range: 9 - 12

Book Description:

Los Angeles, 1942, is the setting for this picture-book glimpse into the world of China City and its residents during World War II. Young Mei Ling Lee describes her life, her family's efforts to raise money for the United China Relief for displaced citizens in their native country, and the child's wistful remembrances of her Japanese friend, sent with her family to Manzanar. Mei Ling uses her wits in an attempt to raise the most money for the campaign and hopes to share her prize with her absent friend. Brightly hued watercolor illustrations place readers in the center of preparation for the local Moon Festival celebration and contrast with concluding black-and-white photographs of actual participants in events of the 1940s that bring the period to life. This book also includes an author's note that gives historical reflections on China City, the Manzanar War Relocation Center, and the United China Relief Campaign.

The Midwest Book Review
Deserves the absolute highest recommendation for public and school children's library collections.

MultiCultural Review
The lively text, vivid illustrations...bring life to this little known time and place in history.

School Library Journal
Brightly hued watercolor illustrations [and] black-and-white photographs of actual participants in events of the 1940s bring the period to life.