illustrated by Margaret Chodos-Irvine
Summary
School Library Journal:
K-Gr 2–This simply told story explores a child’s fears about cultural differences and fitting in with understanding and affection. A Chinese-American girl helps her parents open their small neighborhood grocery store every day of the year. However, today is the Fourth of July and her parents just don’t understand that customers won’t be ordering chow mein and sweet-and-sour pork on this very American holiday. As she spends the day working in the store and watching the local parade, she can’t shake her anxiety about her parents’ naïveté. When evening arrives along with hungry customers looking “for some Chinese food to go,” she is surprised but obviously proud that her parents were — Alicia Eames (Reviewed May 1, 2002) (School Library Journal, vol 48, issue 5, p132)
Awards:
- Asian Pacific American Award for Literature: Picture Book
- Booklist Editors’ Choice – Books for Youth – Young Readers Category: 2002