illustrated by Elena Gerald
Summary
School Library Journal:
Gr 4-6- Nong lives with her mother and older sister, Oi, in a village in northeastern Thailand. Jobs are scarce and people eke out a living by ironing clothes, collecting bottles and newspapers, or selling items such as grilled rice cakes, rice porridge, or coconut juice. For Nong, these sights are common in a town where the residents pay the doctor with mangoes instead of money. The girl, her family, and other three-dimensional characters are portrayed with sensitivity, humor, and realism. The vignettes that make up the story offer a glimpse of life in a culture that reflects old ways combining with modern ones, yet are spirited enough to allow most children to relate to the protagonist. Simple line illustrations are scattered throughout the text, adding visual dimension to the story. This finely crafted title fills a void in our ever-growing ethnically diverse society.–Shirley N. Quan, Orange County Public Library, Stanton, CA