Happy Chinese New Year: The Year of the Rat by Grace Lin

Few new books get hailed as the next series in the classic tradition of Betsy-Tacy or "B" Is for Betsy , but Grace Lin's first novel, the The Year of the Dog, has been so described. Her sequel--just published in time for the beginning of the Chinese New Year celebration on February 7--is receiving equal kudos. Ironically, just as 2007 on the Gregorian calendar is promising to be a year of political change, the Chinese calendar cycle brings us around to the year of the rat, the symbol of change and new beginnings.

For Pacy, heroine of Grace Lin's series, the new year brings change, both good and bad. Her best friend Melody, the only other Chinese-American in her upstate New York school, is moving to California. Pacy comes up against a bit more prejudice and turns even more to writing as an outlet for her feelings. Then a new Chinese child appears at her school, bringing new questions of loyalty and personal identity. For Pacy, like most middle graders, this new year is a year of both uncertainty and growing understanding of the world into which she is born. Read how Pacy handles unwanted changes and new beginnings in The Year of the Rat.

For my review of The Year of the Dog, see my post of January 1, 2008, here.