The Year of the Dog

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Lin, Grace. 2006. The Year of the Dog. New York: Little, Brown and Company. ISBN 0316060003

PLOT SUMMARY

The Year of the Dog tells the story of a young girl, Pacy, and her experiences growing up as a Taiwanese-American.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

In The Year of the Dog, Lin writes a story that is engaging and delightful.  The story chronicles Grace (or Pacy as she is known at home) and her quest to “find herself.”  Pacy is a charming main character, and readers will like her immediately.  Readers, especially young girls, of all races will be able to relate to her feelings about trying to fit in and navigate the social circles of school.  This theme is present throughout the story. 

At the beginning of the story, Pacy meets another Taiwanese-American girl, Melody.  The girls become fast friends.  Although they are similar, they find that they are quite different as well. 

Lin has incorporated small black and white drawings throughout the story.  These drawings are simple and add to the authenticity of the narration.

Throughout the story, Line breaks up the story by inserting stories from Grace’s different family members.  This provides a historical and cultural context for Pacy’s experiences.

Lin excels at including cultural markers in this story and examples can be found on almost every page.  The story is narrated by a childhood and throughout the story, Pacy explains cultural issues to the reader.  Her explanations are directed to young readers and are simple, yet informative.  For example, when Pacy has a new cousin, she explains how the extended family gives red eggs to the baby. 

Lin also tackles tougher issues, like racism.  For example, Pacy and her family attend a Taiwanese convention.  Pacy struggles with not being American enough for the Americans and not Chinese enough for the Asian population.  While at the convention, Pacy encounters this racism:

“You’re a Twinkie” another girl said.  “My brother said Chinese people who are Americanized are Twinkies.  Yellow on the outside, but white on the inside!” (p. 101).

This example is a brief summarization of Pacy’s identity struggles that continue throughout the book.

I especially enjoyed Pacy’s description of her family’s Thanksgiving celebrations in Chapter 27.  Her descriptions make it clear to readers how the family has adopted customs from both cultures.

Overall, this book was an enjoyable read and it presents cultural issues respectfully and with humor.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Publisher’s Weekly:  "Lin creates an endearing protagonist, realistically dealing with universal emotions and situations," in this "autobiographical tale of an Asian-American girl's sweet and funny insights on family, identity and friendship.”

Horn Book:  “For Taiwanese-American Pacy, sorting out her ethnic identity is important, and she wonders what she should be when she grows up. Writing and illustrating a book for a national contest makes her think that perhaps she can become an author of a "real Chinese person book." Lin offers both authentic Taiwanese-American and universal childhood experiences, told from a genuine child perspective.”

Booklist:  ”Lin does a remarkable job capturing the soul and the spirit of books like those of Hayward or Maud Hart Lovelace, reimagining them through the lens of her own story, and transforming their special qualities into something new for today's young readers.”

CONNECTIONS

Readers who enjoyed The Year of the Dog will enjoy the following books in the Pacy Lin series:

Grace Lin. The Year of the Rat. ISBN 1439596891

Grace Lin. Dumpling Days. ISBN 0316125903