In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Bette Bao Lord |
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| Illustrator | Marc Simont |
| Genre | Realistic Fictionll |
| Publisher | Harper & Row |
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Publication date
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1984 |
| Pages | 170 |
| ISBN | 978-0064401753 |
In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson is a popular children's book. It was written by Bette Bao Lord and has illustrations by Marc Simont. The story is about a young girl named Shirley Temple Wong. She moves from her home in China to start a new life in the United States. This happens after World War II. Shirley's father gets a job as an engineer in America.
The book explores many Chinese customs and traditions. It shows how important these are to Shirley and her family. Even though they move to a new country, Shirley's family keeps their cultural traditions. They also learn and adopt many American customs. This helps them fit into their new life in America.
Contents
Shirley's New Life in America
Shirley faces many funny and challenging situations. She tries to understand her new culture and the English language. Learning English takes her some time. This leads to many difficult, but sometimes hilarious, moments.
At first, Shirley really wants to fit in with her new classmates. She tries to join their games like stickball. She also tries to leave school for lunch with them. Shirley is small and not very good at sports. This makes it hard for her to join her classmates' activities. She tries hard, but the other kids don't always include her.
Her habit of bowing to people also makes it hard for kids to accept her. Her parents want her to fit in, but they don't know how to help much. Shirley's father notices she is quiet and sad. He buys her a pair of roller skates. Shirley doesn't know how to skate. She gets bruised and bloody trying to learn.
Finding Friendship and Fun
Things change when another fifth grader becomes her friend. This friend teaches Shirley how to roller skate. She also learns how to play stickball. This friendship helps Shirley enjoy her new life. She starts to feel more like she belongs in America.
Shirley never forgets her Chinese roots. She still misses her large family, called a clan. She misses her many cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. Bette Bao Lord shows how Shirley loves her past in China. She also loves her new life in the United States. Shirley learns to "fit in" without losing her connection to her past.
Baseball and Jackie Robinson
This book is funny as it shows Shirley adjusting to her new culture. A very special part of the story is when Shirley meets her American hero. This hero is the famous black baseball player, Jackie Robinson.
The book draws many comparisons between Shirley and Jackie Robinson. Both of them are trying to "fit in." For example, both are pigeon-toed runners. They are also different from what was considered "normal" at the time. Shirley becomes a huge fan of baseball, which is a very American sport. Her love for baseball shows she is accepting her new culture. It also shows that her new culture is accepting her. This book highlights how sports can bring people together and create friendships.
Why This Book is Great for Kids
This book is perfect for children aged 12 to 15. They can easily relate to Shirley and her innocent view of the world. Lord created a character you care about, but you don't feel sorry for her.
This book compares Shirley's life in China and the United States. It doesn't say one culture is better than the other. Shirley doesn't have to give up her Chinese culture to adapt to American culture. There is room for both in her life.
The novel explores family relationships, values, and traditions. It also looks at how children are raised and the importance of friendship. Shirley's character is strong, and the story moves quickly. The settings in China and the United States provide interesting historical facts about both countries after the war. Because of this, it is considered historical fiction. This entertaining and accurate novel can teach many lessons about tolerance.
Shirley's Journey in 1947
In 1947, which was the Year of the Boar, Shirley (also known as Bandit by her Sixth Cousin) leaves China. She moves to America with her parents for a fresh start. Shirley is proud of the American name she chose for herself: Shirley Temple Wong. She believes her new home will offer many opportunities.
But life in America is harder than she expected. Her classmates in Brooklyn come from different backgrounds. However, Shirley is the only one who doesn't speak English. She worries she will never make a friend. Then, she gets into a fight with Mabel. Mabel is the tallest and scariest girl in the fifth grade.
Shirley ends up with two black eyes from the fight. But she follows the childhood rule of not telling anyone what happened. Her silence earns her Mabel's respect and friendship. Mabel gives Shirley a gift that truly changes her life: baseball. Soon, Shirley becomes the biggest Brooklyn Dodgers fan. She listens to the radio to hear about the team's wins and losses, and about her hero, Jackie Robinson.
Meanwhile, Shirley takes piano lessons from her landlord, Señora Rodriguez. She also saves money by babysitting Mrs. O'Reilly's triplets. She starts to feel at home. Yet, deep inside, Shirley wants to hold on to her memories of China. She knows she is Chinese inside, as well as American. She realizes she can be both—a "double happiness." Also, when Shirley is sad, someone is always painting, which brings her comfort.
