Paul Yee facts for kids

Paul Yee was born on October 1, 1956. He is a Canadian writer and historian. He has written many books for young people. Some of his famous books include Teach Me to Fly, Skyfighter, The Curses of Third Uncle, and Dead Man's Gold. His book Ghost Train won a big award in 1996. It received the Governor General's Award for English language children's literature. In 2012, Paul Yee also won the Vicky Metcalf Award. This award recognized his amazing work in children's literature for almost 30 years.

Where Did Paul Yee Grow Up?

Paul Yee was born in Spalding, Saskatchewan in 1956. He grew up in Chinatown, Vancouver. His aunt Lilian raised him there. He has said that he felt "caught between two worlds" as a child. This feeling often shows up in his books. Many of his stories are about Chinese-Canadians. He went to Lord Strathcona Elementary School. Then he attended Britannia Secondary School in Vancouver. Later, he studied Canadian History. He earned two degrees from the University of British Columbia.

What Kind of Work Has Paul Yee Done?

Paul Yee has worked in different places. From 1974 to 1987, he volunteered. He helped at the Vancouver Chinese Cultural Center. He also worked as an archivist. This means he helped organize old records. He worked at the City of Vancouver Archives. Later, he worked at the Archives of Ontario. He also worked for the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship.

How Did Paul Yee Start Writing Books?

Paul Yee's first book came out in 1983. It was called Teach Me to Fly, Skyfighter! And Other Stories. Sky Lee drew the pictures for it. Paul Yee says becoming a writer was a surprise. A publisher asked him to write a book. They wanted a story about Vancouver's Chinatown. Since then, he has written over 25 books. These include books for kids and young adults. He also writes short stories and non-fiction books.

What Are Some of His Other Works?

One of his children's books, Ghost Train, became a play. It was performed in Toronto in 2001. Paul Yee also wrote his own play. It was called Jade in the Coal. This play first showed in Vancouver in 2010. In 2011, he wrote a poem. It went with music played by the Vancouver Youth Symphony Orchestra. The poem was even translated into Chinese.

Why Does Paul Yee Write About Chinese-Canadians?

Paul Yee mainly writes about the Chinese-Canadian experience. He writes about their history and their lives today. He explains why he chooses these topics. When he was a child, there were no books about his world. He wanted to see stories about immigrants and different cultures. His books show Chinese people their own reflections. They help people feel good about being different. They also let Chinese people see themselves in new ways. Paul Yee now lives in Toronto. He writes full-time.

What Books Has Paul Yee Written?

Paul Yee has written many books. They are for different age groups.

Picture books:

• Teach Me to Fly, Skyfighter and Other Stories (1983)
• Roses Sing on New Snow (1991)
• Ghost Train (1996)
• The Boy in the Attic (1998)
• Jade Necklace (2002)
• A Song for Ba (2004)
• "The Lost Spike" (short story) (2004)
• Bamboo (2005)
• Shu-Li and Tamara (2008)
• Shu-Li and Diego (2009)
• Friends of Kwan ming

Books for middle school and young adults:

• The Curses of Third Uncle (1986)
• Tales from Gold Mountain (1989)
• Breakaway (1994)
• Struggle and Hope: the Chinese in Canada (1996)
• Fly Away (short story) (2001)
• Dead Man's Gold and Other Stories (2002)
• Bone Collector's Son (2003)
• What Happened This Summer (2006)
• Learning to Fly (2008)
• Blood and Iron (2010)
• The Secret Keepers (2011)
• Money Boy (2011)

Books for adults:

• Saltwater City: An Illustrated History of the Chinese in Vancouver (1988)
• If Walls Could Talk (2003)
• Chinatown (2005)
• Arrivals (a poem) (2011)
• Jade in the Coal (a play) (2011)
• A Superior Man (2015)

What Awards Has Paul Yee Won?

Paul Yee has received many awards for his writing.

• 1983: Canadian Children's Book Centre Our Choice Selection for Teach Me to Fly, Skyfighter and Other Stories
• 1989: City of Vancouver Book Award for Saltwater City
• 1990: Sheila Egoff Children's Prize for Tales from Gold Mountain
• 1992: Ruth Schwartz Children's Literature Award for Roses Sing on New Snow
• 1994: YALSA Best Book for Young Adults: Breakaway
• 2012: Vicky Metcalf Award for Children's Literature

For Ghost Train:

• 1996 Governor General's Literary Award for Children's Literature (Text)
• 1997 Ruth Schwartz Children's Book Award (Picture Books)
• 1998 Prix Enfantasie (Switzerland) (for French version: Le train fantôme)
• 1997 Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator's Award

For Dead Man's Gold:

• 2003: New York Public Library Best Books for the Teen Age
• 2003: Booklist Top Ten Historical Fiction Books of the Year
• 2002: Honor Book, Kiriyama Prize, 2002