Reading Level: 3-5
Genre: Multicultural
Awards: ALA Notable Children's Book, Library of Congress Children's Book
Shirley Temple Wong comes to the United States with her mother to join her father in Brooklyn. When she starts school she doesn't speak English and while the children at first try to make her feel welcome soon the effort it takes to be her friend and help her fit in is too much for her fellow students. Shirley begins to feel alone and wishes she had never had to leave China when spring rolls around and baseball season starts. Shirley Temple Wong falls in love with the Brooklyn Dodgers and rookie Jackie Robinson is an idol in her eyes. Through baseball she is able to connect with her classmates, gain friends and finally realize her American dream.
I think that this story is a great way to talk about how even though everyone is different a lot of times there are things that we can come and enjoy together. As an activity I would split my class into groups, being mindful of who normally hangs out and splitting those people up. I would then have these groups work together on various skill building projects through out the day that still corresponded to the curriculum that would need to be covered that day and then at the end of the day we could all come together and either have a big discussion about the similarities that the students found that existed among the group or have them do a special project on their common interests and report it to the class.
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