This week, third grade book club members are discussing Grace Lin's book The Year of the Dog. Although Lin's debut novel was published nearly ten years ago, it still holds true as a classic story that explores themes such as friendship, self-esteem, multiculturalism, and self-expression.
This enjoyable and funny novel follows a young girl's adventures during the Chinese Year of the Dog. Pacy (also called Grace) is both Taiwanese and American, but most people think she is Chinese. Her multicultural background leaves her feeling confused about who she is. Pacy celebrates the Lunar New Year with her family, and she finds out that this is the year she is supposed to "find herself." As the year goes on, Pacy struggles to find her talent, makes a new best friend, and discovers just why the Year of the Dog is a lucky one for her after all. In an author's note following the story, Grace Lin explains that she wrote this mostly autobiographical book "because it was the book I wished I had had when I was growing up, a book that had someone like me in it."
You can preview our discussion questions here. Please visit the Grade 3 page for links to Grace Lin's web site and information about the Chinese zodiac. In the video below, you can watch Grace Lin speak about growing up, why she wrote The Year of the Dog, and using books as both windows and mirrors.
Happy reading!
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