Ten year old Bandit Wong comes to Brooklyn in 1947 having been officially dubbed Shirley Temple Wong, at her own request, by her family patriarch before leaving Shanghai. Now she has to win the acceptance of her schoolmates, while still honoring her Chinese heritage. This dichotomy is reflected in the title of the book, as it is the Year of the Boar on the Chinese calendar, but in Brooklyn, it is Jackie Robinson's rookie year. Over the course of the baseball season Shirley becomes a devoted fan of the game and of Robinson, and his trail blazing integration of the game becomes a metaphor for Shirley's efforts to fit in to a new society.
The book is delightful, with a brave and likable heroine who will appeal to anyone, but particularly girls, and the baseball theme should intrigue boys. It should foster in all kids a further interest in Jackie Robinson, a genuine American hero. Best of all, it offers a moving depiction of the immigrant experience and strikes just the right balance between the value of assimilation and immersion in American culture, while maintaining respect for one's native traditions.
Lord's America really is a land of opportunity, but one which places
obligations on those who wish to reap them. In turn, the example
of Jackie Robinson stands as a reminder that to fulfill its promise, America
must afford these opportunities to all those who are willing to shoulder
these responsibilities, regardless of race, creed, or color (or gender).
(Reviewed:24-Sep-01)
Grade: (B+)
