The Dragon's Child

Bibliography

Yep, Laurence. 2008. The Dragon's Child: A Story of Angel Island. New York, NY: HarperCollins Children's Books ISBN 978-0-06-027692-8

Plot Summary

Ten-year-old Gim Lew has only met his father once, when he left his American workplace to come "home" and visit Gim Lew and his family. During his second visit things take a turn when he decides Gim Lew is old enough to follow his other brother's footsteps and come work with him in America, leading to a grueling boat trip and culture shock for Gim Lew as he prepares for his entrance into America through the intimidating interview process at Angel Island. 

Critical Analysis

Part biographical, part novel, Yep integrates his own father's story into the fictional story of Gim Lew. Each chapter begins with an excerpt of an interview Yep held with his father and gives insight into what topic the chapter will be about. Yep beautifully describes Gim Lew's life in China, the cultural traditions, his family ties and the rice field landscapes that surround him. This is contrasted against Gim Lew's struggles in school with his demanding teacher/uncle and his stuttering problem which creates tension and social awkwardness between Gim Lew and his family. 

Yep convincingly changes the tides with the introduction of Gim Lew's idolized father who visits from "the Golden Mountain" that is America and tells Gim Lew that he will be returning to America with him. This plot twist allows for the exploration of the Angel Island interview process and what the Chinese had to do to prepare for the interrogations, while also exposing the difficulties many Chinese had switching between the traditional Chinese ways and the different cultural setting America presented. 

Family photos and a brief biographical history at the end is a helpful addition to show young readers that, though this particular account is mostly fictional, that many Chinese were faced with the issues discussed in the book.

Review Excerpts

"Yep raises many issues about both Chinese immigration and the immigrant experience in general: Who am I? Where do I belong? How can I balance the duality of my life? Why do people treat others this way? The photograph of Gim Lew in his Western clothes shows a very real sadness and anxiety that are common to anyone leaving family and country behind as they journey to a new life, and Yep captures this beautifully in this brief fictionalized account."-Barbara Scotto, Children's Literature New England, Brookline, MA, School Library Journal


"Tension builds and secrets are revealed as his father practices for the Test, tries not to act nervous, and hides his left-handedness and his stammer. With family photos, a historical note, and a long bibliography, this stirring narrative will spark readers’ own search for roots."-Hazel Rochman, Booklist

Connections

*Show a picture of a young boy in traditional Chinese garb that would have been appropriate in the 1920's next to a picture young boy dressed in typical Western clothing from the 1920's. Point out the differences between the two outfits. Discuss how Gim Lew had to from wearing one type of clothing to the other and how that might have made him feel.

*Pair with other books nonfiction books about Angel Island.

*Ask a series of difficult questions that could have been asked of those immigrating into the US at Angel Island, such as "How many windows does the house of person that lives six houses down from you have?" Discuss how scary and difficult the interview process must have been for people of all ages.