This was probably my least favourite of the series - I found the foreigner bashing to be a little too extreme - perhaps such people exist, but in my tThis was probably my least favourite of the series - I found the foreigner bashing to be a little too extreme - perhaps such people exist, but in my time in Singapore I didn't encounter them - more the opposite - foreigner bashing to the extreme in social media. ...more
I continue to be impressed with how Ovidia Yu manages to weave in the cultural and societal aspects of Singapore life in a compassionate understandingI continue to be impressed with how Ovidia Yu manages to weave in the cultural and societal aspects of Singapore life in a compassionate understanding yet slightly critical way without ruffling feathers, much like her protagonist. ...more
Kelly Yang does it again with a dramatic ride of the "left behind" daughter joining her family (who is not doing as well as their letters suggested) iKelly Yang does it again with a dramatic ride of the "left behind" daughter joining her family (who is not doing as well as their letters suggested) in the USA. At first I was a little confused on the age of the protagonist vs. the topics being dealt with - I can get making her in G5 would work as that's when kids have one homeroom teacher and don't have the issues of middle school but at times I thought the type of things she's dealing with would be hard for the typical 10 year old to understand and make a meaningful contribution / connection, but then again 1000s of kids are "dealing" with so much.
I like the fact that Pete was never redeemed and they all walked away. Sometimes that's the best solution to someone who just refuses to change. A tiny quibble - it's very hard to know the gender of a fetus at 10 weeks. ...more
Well executed story weaving in the problems of lack of water & the impact on the lives of the poorer segment of society in Mumbai with a gutsy teen reWell executed story weaving in the problems of lack of water & the impact on the lives of the poorer segment of society in Mumbai with a gutsy teen resolving the issue of water theft in her community ...more
One of the best books I’ve read this year. Fantastic weaving of socio-biological-historical-environmental facets of life in Singapore. Although it proOne of the best books I’ve read this year. Fantastic weaving of socio-biological-historical-environmental facets of life in Singapore. Although it probably has more meaning for anyone who has lived there I’d recommend it to anyone - and encourage the authors out there to research & create their own versions for their own environments. For those in education - great for TOK & environmental studies ...more
Very reminiscent of “Lab Girl” as the author brings her life & academic studies - particularly the scientific-historical aspects to bear in the trips Very reminiscent of “Lab Girl” as the author brings her life & academic studies - particularly the scientific-historical aspects to bear in the trips she takes by bicycle. The descriptions of the devastation we wrought on lakes & mountains is terrible but I like her problem solving approach to socio-political-environmental issues. I loved the descriptions of her encounters of people along the way & the sheer tenacity of biking day after day for a year. I did cringe on the number of illegal border crossings she did - that somewhat sullied the tone - if she’d been caught there would be all sorts of outrage in the western press but it was essentially stupid no matter what her rationale was. ...more
A book well worth reading for any parent engaged in or interested in the East/West educational philosophies or with an ADHD child struggling in a rigiA book well worth reading for any parent engaged in or interested in the East/West educational philosophies or with an ADHD child struggling in a rigid system. For me this was very reminiscent of our struggles in the Chinese system, although that was much less rigorous and we gave up after 2 years rather than 6. Even 12 years later it's hard to say what the answer is. Certainly I'm a huge fan of the (Japanese) Suzuki method with it's "Learn with love" philosophy and admire the resiliency and self-sufficiency and independence of some aspects of the schooling and preparation for schooling described in this book. The extreme commitment of parents (aka mothers), the shaming, corporal punishment, absolute conformity of parent & child and undermining of self-belief is worrying, while I think there's nothing wrong with an emphasis on physical education, good nutrition and rote memorisation when relevant. As the author concludes towards the end, if only there were a system that combines the best of each system rather than each being so binary. Worth a read for educators and parents. ...more
This is a book that brought tears to my eyes a couple of times - it's so raw, so recent, and in fact ongoing. It is the story of many of us living in This is a book that brought tears to my eyes a couple of times - it's so raw, so recent, and in fact ongoing. It is the story of many of us living in Hong Kong or China who left as the pandemic started thinking we'd be back in a month or so. Separated from family and consistently frustrated by an external world that initially ignored the threat of Covid completely and refused to take any precautions and then moved to blame and persecution while still not taking the necessary steps to protect their populations.
But more than that, it's the story of the pandemic at the micro level - in a family where the parents lose their jobs or have their hours cut. Where relationships occur over chats and screens.
and then we get to the ADHD bit. When my ADHD son was growing up, beside Joey Pigza - there were NO books with ADHD characters, and even that one was totally non-relatable to him with unsympathetic family members and teachers and only medication as an option, plus the whole socio-economic matters that were important but an added complication that he luckily didn't encounter. In this book ADHD is shown for what it is - something that is truly beyond the control of the child. Something that makes them behave in ways that have sometimes terrible consequences, not just for themselves, but for their whole family. The dilemma of helping such a child to manage their neuro-diversity in a positive and proactive way, while buffering for when things go (horribly) wrong. The misunderstandings of everyone around and the blame. Then constant blame and finger pointing. And the impact on the siblings. I hope that Kelly Yang writes more about this topic.
A very fascinating glimpse into recent Chinese history through the woven stories of 4 people. Very interesting from the historical and economic perspeA very fascinating glimpse into recent Chinese history through the woven stories of 4 people. Very interesting from the historical and economic perspective. Questions that people pose themselves when deciding to leave or stay that are so real in these current pandemic times. ...more
An incredible story of an adivasi village caught between miners, the police and the maoist naxalites. Young Ooonga only wants to see a performance of An incredible story of an adivasi village caught between miners, the police and the maoist naxalites. Young Ooonga only wants to see a performance of Sitaharan but through his journey we learn more of the culture and struggles of his people. The writing, in particular the visual language in this is quite incredible- without seeing the movie I can picture the whole story unfolding in front of me. It is firmly in YA territory & the rape / stones / brutality would mean I’d put a trigger warning on it....more
An antidote to the usual story of colonial “exploration and discovery”, this book uncovers Nain Singh Rawat’s contribution in mapping Tibet. CalculatiAn antidote to the usual story of colonial “exploration and discovery”, this book uncovers Nain Singh Rawat’s contribution in mapping Tibet. Calculating distance by counting prayer beads and overcoming all sorts of obstacles along the way he succeeds in his mission. It is also a lesson on the exploitation of local people by colonial powers for their own nefarious ends. ...more
A powerful story of a single mother running a samgangi farm as seen through the eyes of her son. It highlights the stigma against intelligent people gA powerful story of a single mother running a samgangi farm as seen through the eyes of her son. It highlights the stigma against intelligent people going into agriculture and the prejudice of women farmers. This is a positive perspective on the ability of someone to regain land and turn-around the usual story of debt and land-grabbing. ...more
Fascinating look at a time when USA was the promised land and people would do whatever it took to get there. How an innocuous looking grandmotherly fiFascinating look at a time when USA was the promised land and people would do whatever it took to get there. How an innocuous looking grandmotherly figure could be the head of a global people-smuggling empire along with a whole dolloping of world history, insights into immigration, law and humanity. Well worth a read. And how things have changed in the last 10-15 years!...more
Enjoyed this debut novel with an interesting twist. The inclusion of the chinese sayings (very well read by the narrator) was an excellent touch. A liEnjoyed this debut novel with an interesting twist. The inclusion of the chinese sayings (very well read by the narrator) was an excellent touch. A little formulaic at time and had to skip over some of the more unrealistic crime fighting scenes. Really liked the narrator, Ewan Chung and hope we get to hear more from him....more
The illustrations are good but the "poetry" is just awful. Didn't finish.The illustrations are good but the "poetry" is just awful. Didn't finish....more
Enjoyable escapism crime thriller set in Beijing. Interesting as I'd just learnt about the city under Beijing recently and it features in this book anEnjoyable escapism crime thriller set in Beijing. Interesting as I'd just learnt about the city under Beijing recently and it features in this book and the sequel. Biological warfare, evil mad scientists and cooperation between east and west....more
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