THE JADE DRAGON
by Carolyn Marsden and Virginia Shin-Mui Loh
Candlewick Press
Hardcover: 0763630128
Paperback: 9780763640613
Ages 7-10
176 pages

Now residents of Virginia, Ginny's parents were born and raised in China. They were immersed in the Chinese culture, including food, clothing, education and language, both written and spoken. So they in turn had been raising their daughter the same way. In fact, when Ginny started kindergarten, she only spoke Chinese --- no English at all.

But with prodding from teachers, Ginny's parents switched to an English-speaking house. By the time she started second grade, Ginny had all but forgotten her Chinese language, much to her mother's regret. They start making plans to send her to the local high school for Saturday classes on Chinese culture. There she would be surrounded by other Chinese-Americans, all learning about their ancestry and language.

In the meantime, Ginny is the only Chinese-American student in the entire second grade. The other kids have accepted her and she has made some friends, but she doesn't have that special friend with whom she can share laughs and secrets. Then one day, a new student arrives and Ginny notices her immediately --- Stephanie is Chinese-American, too!

Ginny quickly learns that having one thing in common doesn't make two people instant best friends. Stephanie is different in so many ways. First of all, she was born in China and then adopted by American parents. She doesn't even like Chinese food. And Ginny finds out that the first invitation to Stephanie's house actually comes from Stephanie's mother, who thinks that her daughter should grow more familiar with her birth culture. Stephanie doesn't even seem too interested in Ginny.

When Stephanie and her parents arrive for a holiday party at Ginny's house, Ginny nervously tries to entertain the bored Stephanie. Ginny doesn't have the boxes and shelves lined with every toy imaginable the way that Stephanie does. But Stephanie does notice the collection of carved zodiac figures in the display cabinet, especially the jade dragon. Stephanie wants to take home the dragon for just a little while, though Ginny knows that her mom would be very angry. Her parents had the valuable dragon carved just for her; it is the zodiac animal for the year she was born. Ginny is so desperate for a best friend, however, and this is the first interest Stephanie has taken in her. She wanted someone to share secrets with, but is this the kind of secret she's willing to risk?

THE JADE DRAGON is co-written by Carolyn Marsden, author of such works as THE MOON RUNNER, and Virginia Shin-Mui Loh, a teacher and doctorial candidate. Together, they have created a wonderful story with very real characters; through Ginny's eyes, we experience her senses, her hopes, her mistakes. It is a touch of culture for Asian-Americans, as well as for everyone else. Plus, as an added bonus, the final pages hold a sample of the beautiful calligraphy discussed in the story.

   --- Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman, author of FINDING MY LIGHT and THE BLACK POND

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