Winner of the Sheila A. Egoff Children's Literature Prize, the IODE Violet Downey Book Award and the IODE National Chapter Award
Drawing on the real background of the Chinese role in the gold rush, the building of the railway and the settling of the west coast in the nineteenth century, noted historian and children’s author Paul Yee has created eight original stories that combine the rough-and-tumble adventure of frontier life with the rich folk traditions that these immigrants brought from China.
These tales are funny, sad, romantic and earthy, but ultimately, as a collection, they reflect the gritty optimism of the Chinese who overcame prejudice and adversity to build a unique place for themselves in North America.
Winner of the Sheila A. Egoff Children's Literature Prize, the IODE Violet Downey Book Award and the IODE National Chapter Award
Drawing on the real background of the Chinese role in the gold rush, the building of the railway and the settling of the west coast in the nineteenth century, noted historian and children’s author Paul Yee has created eight original stories that combine the rough-and-tumble adventure of frontier life with the rich folk traditions that these immigrants brought from China.
These tales are funny, sad, romantic and earthy, but ultimately, as a collection, they reflect the gritty optimism of the Chinese who overcame prejudice and adversity to build a unique place for themselves in North America.
| Published By | Groundwood Books Ltd — Sep 3, 2011 |
| Specifications | 64 pages | 8 in x 10 in |
| Keywords | canadian; historical; immigration; immigrants; segregation; racism; chinese; chinatown; history; Canadian Pacific Railway; trains; railroads; life of an immigrant; folk tales; folk stories; fables; immigrating to canada; canada's past; moral lesson; |
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Supporting Resources
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Excerpt |
| Written By |
PAUL YEE was born in Spalding, Saskatchewan, and grew up in Vancouver's Chinatown. A former archivist, he now writes full time. His books have won many awards and honors, including the Governor General's Award (Ghost Train), the Ruth Schwartz Award (Ghost Train and Roses Sing on New Snow), and the Canadian Library Association Book of the Year Award (Tales from Gold Mountain). He has won the Vancouver Book Award and been shortlisted for the BC Book Prize, and his books have been named to several lists, including NYPL Books for the Teen Age (Dead Man’s Gold), ALA Notables and Booklist's Top Ten Historical Fiction. Most recently, Paul’s young adult novel Money Boy was named a Stonewall Honor Book and he won the Vicky Metcalf Award for a body of work. Paul lives in Toronto. |
| Illustrated by | Simon Ng is an award-winning illustrator. He lives in Toronto. |
| Written By |
|
PAUL YEE was born in Spalding, Saskatchewan, and grew up in Vancouver's Chinatown. A former archivist, he now writes full time. His books have won many awards and honors, including the Governor General's Award (Ghost Train), the Ruth Schwartz Award (Ghost Train and Roses Sing on New Snow), and the Canadian Library Association Book of the Year Award (Tales from Gold Mountain). He has won the Vancouver Book Award and been shortlisted for the BC Book Prize, and his books have been named to several lists, including NYPL Books for the Teen Age (Dead Man’s Gold), ALA Notables and Booklist's Top Ten Historical Fiction. Most recently, Paul’s young adult novel Money Boy was named a Stonewall Honor Book and he won the Vicky Metcalf Award for a body of work. Paul lives in Toronto. |
| Illustrated by |
| Simon Ng is an award-winning illustrator. He lives in Toronto. |
| Audience | ages 7 and up / grades 2 and up |
| Reading Levels | Lexile NC850L |
Winner, IODE National Chapter Award, 1989
Winner, IODE Violet Downey Book Award, 1989
Winner, Sheila A. Egoff Children's Literature, 1989
“With its excellent writing and deeply symbolic illustrations, this book is highly recommended.” —Rutgers
“Handsome format; compelling reading.” —Kirkus Reviews
“...Ng's cool, brooding full-page paintings have an intense presence that enhances the stories' exotic flavor...A book not to miss.” —Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
"...Ng's cool, brooding full-page paintings have an intense presence that enhances the stories' exotic flavor...A book not to miss." — Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
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