“The Jade Dragon” is a children’s book which introduces us to Ginny, a Chinese girl who’s in the second grade. She’s excited when she sees that another Chinese girl has moved in – she’s been the only one this whole time and no one really understands her. When she meets Stephanie, she’s surprised at how American Stephanie is. She has an English last name, her clothes are all American, and she doesn’t even like Chinese food.
Ginny learns that Stephanie was adopted out of China by white parents, and has no memory of China itself. Ginny has grown up with her own parents, and her mother prepares wonderful Chinese dishes every day. Their home lives couldn’t be more different, and when Ginny is finally invited over to Stephanie’s to play, she sees just how different they are. Stephanie’s family believes in Santa Claus, and she has a lot of toys and pretty things. Ginny’s family is much more practical.
Ginny writes to Santa and asks him to make Stephanie her best friend for Christmas, and it seems that she has gotten her wish – Stephanie and her mother come over for dinner, and she seems to be warming up to Ginny. But her friendship will come at a terrible price – she wants to borrow Ginny’s special jade dragon, the one her mother keeps in the glass cabinet. Ginny wants Stephanie’s friendship very much, but is she willing to disobey her mother so completely just to get a friend?
This book shows many of the differences in culture between China and America, and showcases the beauty of having a Chinese heritage. I did wish that Stephanie had been a little more sincere in her apology at the end – it seemed as though she took Ginny’s understanding for granted and that she hadn’t truly learned what she needed to. Overall, I enjoyed the book quite a bit and think your child will too.
(This book was published in 2006 by Candlewick Press.)
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