Book+Review


 * Book Review **

Kristin Collyer Dr. Liu TCH 347 The Moon Lady documents the story of a grandmother, telling her grandchildren of her childhood in China and the day she learned the legend of the Moon Lady. Ying-Ying is a restless seven year old girl in China who is excited to meet the Moon Lady. She has been told that her Father has rented a large boat for her family to sail out onto the lake for the celebration of the moon lady, and that if she’s good she will have a secret wish granted. Along the way she gets into trouble, gets messy, and even falls off the boat and into the lake. She is rescued by a passing fishing boat, but now is lost and cannot find her family. She is dropped off on the shore and that is where she sees the Moon Lady, but everything is not as it seems and Ying-Ying learns that there are many kinds of wishes, and that sometimes the best ones are the ones you can fulfill on your own. This story can be used to teach culture, specifically world cultures. As the story progresses traditional garments, holidays, food, and some language are introduced allowing for discussion about how cultures are alike and different. Cultures of the United States and China can be discussed as a class, and can be compared and contrasted on a venn diagram. World Geography can be introduced as the location of China is presented and shown in comparison to other countries. Specific terms such as “rickshaw” and “moon cake” can be discussed in class, as well as the names of the characters, which are all traditionally Chinese. 7.3.5.A: Identify the human characteristics of places and regions using the following criteria: Population, Culture, Settlement, Economic activities, Political activities NCSS: Culture, People Places and Environment, Individual Development and Identity and Global Connections. I read this story to a first grader, and found that it was perhaps too text heavy for that young a grade. There are also many cultural references that may be seen as disturbing or strange to younger audiences, so I would recommend this book for third grade and up. Due to its heavy text and some confusing terms, I would use this book as a read aloud and then use it to introduce different cultural traditions, norms etc.
 * The Moon Lady **
 * Written by Amy Tan, Illustrated by Gretchen Schields **
 * Macmillan Publishing Company, 1992 **
 * What is it about? **
 * What are the related subject areas, content concepts or vocabulary found in the book? **
 * What NCSS themes and Pennsylvania social studies standards does it cover? **
 * Which grade level is it appropriate for? **
 * What is your suggested method to use this book in the classroom? **