Reviews: (by author)

Yin. Illus. Chris Soentpiet. Coolies. New York: Puffin Books 2001. $7.99.

In Coolies, Yin brilliantly tells the story of two Chinese brothers, Shek and Wong, who immigrate to America in search of a better life. They leave the uprisings and famine of their native country, China, to find work and money. Yin traces the hardships, discrimination, and prejudices the Chinese faced as they built the transcontinental railroad. A poignant scene in the story occurs when the Chinese were denied recognition for building the railroad. Shek remarks, "We know. Call us what you will, it is our hands that helped build the railroad." They eventually sent money back to China for their family to join them in America. They end up settling in San Francisco's Chinatown.

This story is not only historically and culturally significant, but it also addresses the generation gap that is common to the Asian immigrant experience. The story begins with a grandmother and grandson, the descendants of Shek and Wong, who are discussing the importance of honoring their ancestors as part of the Chinese ritual, the Ching Ming Festival. The grandmother relates the story of how their family became American thus forging a bicultural identity. Although the term"coolie" is derogative in nature, this book employs it in such a manner that helps to describe the experiences of the Chinese in America. The message here is that Chinese-Americans have a rich and important place in American history that is often ignored or overlooked in literature, textbooks, and standard curriculums.

Yin masterfully weaves this story together, crossing cultures and generations. The reader can feel the plight and injustices faced by the Chinese. The illustrations, done by Chris Soentpiet, are magnificent. They are colorful and very appealing. They capture the essence of the text and are realistic. The ethnic features, costumes, and backdrops as well as the text are accurate and authentic. This book is truly exceptional.

Recommended by Virginia Loh.

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