Landed

Landed

Written by Milly Lee

Illustrated by Yangsook Choi

Frances Foster Books, 2006

40 pages

Multicultural – Chinese/Chinese American

            Based on a true story about the author’s father-in-law, this book follows the journey of a Chinese boy on his way to America, or as it is known to the Chinese, Gum Saan (Gold Mountain).  Sun has just turned twelve years old, and his father, a merchant, tells him that is going to take him to America, a land filled with opportunity.  Before they go, Sun has to study very hard to learn all that he can about his family, his home, and his village.  Before he can enter America, American officials on Angel Island will ask him many questions to verify that he is really his father’s son.  If he answers just one question wrong, he may be sent back to China.  Sun studies diligently to learn all that he can, and it is finally time for him to leave for America.  How will Sun do through the interrogation on Angel Island?  Will he make it to America?  Read Landed by Milly Lee to find out!

            Yangsook Choi did a fantastic job illustrating this book.  She created her artwork using oil paint, and she employed a more realistic style.  Each main illustration occupies one page with the text being on the opposite page.  At the top of each text page, there is a small illustration of an object from the text.   Each illustration accurately reflects the time period of the story and the different cultures that are present.  She did not use very bright colors, but the colors she used are fitting for the story.  I think Choi did a great job with these illustrations, and I truly enjoyed looking at each one of them.

            This book would be great to use in any classroom ranging from fourth through eighth grade.  It could very easily be used to supplement a lesson about Angel Island and the process the Chinese had to go through to get to America after the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act.  This book could also be used as part of a compare and contrast lesson where the students describe the similarities and differences between Sun and themselves.  The teacher could also use this book to initiate a writing activity.  The students could write a journal entry from the perspective of Sun, describing his experiences and feelings.  Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and I can see myself using it in my classroom one day.