Dragonwings CD PDF

Dragonwings CD: Golden Mountain Chronicles:1903 Audio CD – Audiobook, Unabridged
Author: Visit ‘s Laurence Yep Page ID: 0061493368

From School Library Journal

Grades 4-7–Laurence Yep’s Newbery Honor book (HarperCollins, 1975) offers insights into the lives of Chinese-Americans in early 20th century California. The story begins as eight-year-old Moon Shadow Lee journeys across the Pacific to join his proud and clever father at the family-owned laundry in San Francisco. The boy recounts their problems with prejudice, as well as the kindness of uncles and cousins. Father and son must leave the protection of the family to move out of Chinatown, but they find refuge with a generous and friendly landlady. Once they have successfully established a repair business, they turn their attention to making a flying machine. Though it’s a modern invention, part of their motivation is the elder’s belief in his own previous dragon existence. Yep draws heavily on his own heritage, but also includes figures such as Teddy Roosevelt and the Wright Brothers, and historic events such as the San Francisco Earthquake. The result is a heartwarming story set in a familiar time and place, but told from a new perspective. The quiet intensity of B. D. Wong’s narration enriches the text as he creates memorable voices for a large cast of characters. Wafting, ethereal music signals the end of each side of the cassette, and the cover art is attractive. The only problem is the lightweight cardboard package, which is not sturdy enough for heavy circulation. That shouldn’t deter libraries from purchIDg this fine recording which will provide upper elementary and middle school listeners with lessons in history, and a gentle reminder of the value of a loving family and loyal friends.

Barbara Wysocki, Cora J. Belden Library. Rocky Hill, CT

Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

–This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Review

“A fine, sensitive novel . . . that conveys the Chinese American’s cultural heritage.” — —BL

“A fine, sensitive novel written with grace in a way that conveys the Chinese American’s cultural heritage.” — —Booklist

“A triumph.” — —The New York Times –This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Age Range: 10 and up Grade Level: 5 and upSeries: Golden Mountain ChroniclesAudio CD: 6 pagesPublisher: HarperFestival; Unabridged edition (September 4, 2007)Language: EnglishISBN-10: 0061493368ISBN-13: 978-0061493362 Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Best Sellers Rank: #357,275 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #156 in Books > Children’s Books > Geography & Cultures > Multicultural Stories > Asian & Asian American #235 in Books > Books on CD > Children’s Fiction > General #507 in Books > Children’s Books > Literature & Fiction > Historical Fiction > United States > 1900s
No one melds fact and myth into seamless storylines of historical fiction quite like Lawrence Yep. Like many of his tales, the remarkable, "Dragonwings", reflects on the Chinese experience in America. Says Yep in his author’s note, "I have tried to make some of these dry historical facts become living experiences". The result is a book that certain kids will grow attached to and respect. Admittedly, it is not a book for all children, but for what it offers it is an impressive work.

The plot follows Moon Shadow, a boy sent from his native China to live with his father in the Land of the Gold Mountains a.k.a San Francisco in 1903. While there, Moon Shadow learns a great deal about the ways the white settlers (referred to in this text, without exception, as demons) reacted to the Chinese in California. Yep does not play down the characters’ difficulties, but Moon Shadow and his father, Windrider, learn the ways in which they may live their lives acceptably. They befriend their white employers, survive the great San Francisco earthquake, and finally Windrider follows his dream of making a flying machine just as the Wright Brothers did. This portion of the book is based on the true story of a Chinese immigrant that on September 22, 1909 flew from the hills of Oakland, California. As Yep points out in his author’s note, this book is a historical fantasy and not an actual factual construction. Nonetheless, Windrider’s quest is such that you feel just as caught up in the excitement of the moment as he is when at last he is able to test his creation.

What is so impressive about Lawrence Yep’s writing is how he accepts that there are no hard and fast rules about the ways in which people act and react.
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