The Year of the Dog

Lin, G., & Guest, K. M. (2018). The year of the dog. ISBN: 9781549114472



Plot Summary
A young Taiwanese-American girl named Pacy (Grace at school), has always felt like an outcast in her predominantly white school. But this year will be very different because this is the year of the dog! As she celebrates Chinese New Year with her family, she finds out that the year of the dog is all about “finding yourself”. This is the year Pacy is determined to find her true identity and talent! Things are already off to a great start when Pacy meets another Taiwanese-American girl named Melody. They share so many things in common and soon become friends. As she explores her talent, she begins to become frustrated because she seems too Chinese to her American classmates and then too American to her Asian classmates. Will this year end on a great note? Will Pacy ever be able to fit in and find her true talent?

Critical Analysis
The Year of the Dog by Newbery honored author Grace Lin is a fun read for ages 8 and up. Many preteens will empathize with the main characters frustrations trying to find her true talent and struggles trying to fit in. Although the illustrations are in black and white, it still adds great detail and humor to this read. Lin’s creative writing styles allows readers to go back in time when the main character is listening to her mother’s ancient stories. In addition, readers will also experience the story in Pacy’s point of view and have a deeper insight of her thoughts and emotions throughout her year. This books connects to many themes from true friendship and identity to family bond.

Grace Lin based this story on her childhood growing up in America. There are many prevalent cultural markers in this entire read. Readers will be able to explore New Years in a new way! Similar to the American tradition, at the beginning of the book readers learn that in the Taiwanese culture, families come together to celebrate the New Year. Lin shares with readers many more important elements of the Taiwanese culture including storytelling, food, dialect, symbols and assimilating.

Furthermore, the main character has two names. Readers notice that at home the main character is comfortable being called “Pacy” (her Asian name), but at school she wants to be called “Gracy” (her American name). In order to assimilate, people in certain cultures try to be more Americanize  that includes changing their name or using their English name to be socially accepted.

The friendship between Pacy and Melody clarifies to readers a very common stereotype which is if you are in the same culture then you have the same customs. Although the two girls are both from the Taiwanese culture, they are different in many ways. Melody is bilingual whereas Pacy only knows how to speak English. Their family also cooks different in one scene Pacy is eating dinner at Melody’s house and notices that the Chinese food they are eating isn’t very authentic. She notices that they are eating very healthy and would prefer to be eating delicious authentic Chinese food that her family cooks.

Review Excerpts

"This comfortable first-person story will be a treat for Asian-American girls looking to see themselves in their reading, but also for any reader who enjoys stories of friendship and family life."—Kirkus

"Lin creates an endearing protagonist, realistically dealing with universal emotions and situations. Girls everywhere, but especially those in the Asian-American community, will find much to embrace here."—Publishers Weekly

Connections

If you like this book, you have to read the sequel!! 

Lin, Grace. The Year of the Rat. ISBN: 0316033618