The Great Wall of Lucy Wu
 First edition cover | |
| Author | Wendy Wan-Long Shang |
|---|---|
| Original title | The Great Wall of Lucy Lu |
| Language | English |
| Published | Scholastic Inc, 2011 |
| Pages | 320 |
| ISBN | 978-0545162166 |
The Great Wall of Lucy Wu is the 2011 debut novel of Wendy Wan-Long Shang.[1] It was first published in January 2011 through Scholastic Inc.. The work focuses on the concept of a young girl starting the sixth grade and dealing with the troubles that come with growing up but also with having a split cultural identity.[2][3] The book is considered suitable for girls age 8-12.[4]
Plot
Lucy Wu is a sixth grade girl that dreams of becoming both a famous basketball player and an interior designer. She's sure that this is going to be the best year of her life, as she's certain that she'll not only finally get control of the room she shares with her sister but also become the captain of the school basketball team. Several things threaten to ruin those hopes. Not only is a bully trying to push her off the basketball team, but her great-aunt Yi Po comes for an extended visit and has taken up residence in Lucy's room. This, along with several other issues, makes Lucy believe that everything is going sour but she's soon going to find that every cloud has a silver lining.
Reception
Critical reception has been positive,[5][6][7] and Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center stated that "Shang’s debut novel is a well-blended cornucopia of the multicultural tween’s challenges."[8] The Los Angeles Times wrote a favorable review for the book, which they felt would appeal to "young readers struggling with issues of self-identity, whatever their heritage."[9] The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books also praised the book and commented that "Bits of Chinese history and culture as well as allusions to incidents of prejudice and racism are effectively integrated without melodrama, leaving the focus entirely on Lucy’s preteen and familial experience. Her struggle to determine what and who is important to her will most certainly resonate with young readers."[10]
Selected awards and recognition
- 2012 NCTE/CLA Notable Children's Books in the English Language Arts[11]
- 2012 Children's Literature Award, Asian-Pacific American Librarians Association[12]
References
- ↑ "Interview with author of "The Great Wall of Lucy Wu"". Washington Post. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ↑ Odean, Kathleen (June 1, 2011). "Play ball!". Teacher Librarian (subscription required). Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ↑ Shute, Carolyn (Fall 2011). "Shang, Wendy Wan-Long: The Great Wall of Lucy Wu (review)". The Horn Book Guide 22 (2): 367. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ↑ Smilan, Lisa (20 December 2011). "Recommended Titles For Tweens Through Teens". Washington Independent. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
- ↑ "The Great Wall of Lucy Wu (review)". Booklist. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ↑ "The Great Wall of Lucy Wu (review)". School Library Journal (BookVerdict). Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ↑ "The Great Wall of Lucy Wu". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ↑ "The Great Wall of Lucy Wu by Wendy Wan-Long Shang (review)". Smithsonian APA's BookDragon. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ↑ Carpenter, Susan. "Book review: 'The Great Wall of Lucy Wu' by Wendy Wan-Long Shang". LAT. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ↑ Quealy-Gainer, Kate (2011). "The Great Wall of Lucy Wu (review)". Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books 64 (6): 198. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ↑ "2012 NCTE/CLA Notable Children's Books in the English Language Arts". Education Week Teacher. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ↑ "Waldman, Chang, Shang, Thompson and Young win 2012 APALA Asian/Pacific American Awards for Literature". ALA. Retrieved 26 July 2014.