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BOOK REVIEW
[Girl in Translation] A Hong Kong girl immigrates to Brooklyn with her mother.
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WHAT I LIKED
This is a story of sacrifices. Not just the sacrifice of time and hardship, but of beautiful friendships and romantic love interests in order to find a more secure place in the world. Yet, amidst all the sacrifice, there is always hope.
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I loved Jean Kwok’s inclusion of Chinese sayings with an explanation soon after. Picking up a dead chicken means an easy job. Talking big words means lying. Being a lightbulb means a chaperone. It added more meaning to the cultural differences Kimberly experiences throughout her move. Her family believes she is too outspoken, her teacher believes she doesn’t speak enough. Kimberly must master these differences - jump from stone to stone before the lava swallows her.
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WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
There is little I didn’t like about this book. Reflecting on Kimberly’s understanding of her mother’s life experience, I wonder what the next generation will think of her story.
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Girl in Translation (by Jean Kwok) ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️5/5