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Mei Ling in China City
Mei Ling in China City by Icy Smith is the true story of Mei Ling Lee, a twelve-year-old resident of China City, located near Olvera Street in downtown Los Angeles. China City was one of two communities built by Chinese residents in 1938. In this fascinating book, Mei Ling tells the story of her life in China City during World War II.
War is a serious and difficult topic to discuss with children. However, it is essential for children to understand the consequences of war and conflict. Author Icy Smith has created a story about Mei Ling's experiences during this tumultuous time that is light, appealing, and informative. Through her interviews with Mei Ling and the inclusion of more than fifty archival photos, she wrote this important story based on primary sources. This authenticity of these resources enrich the value and meaning of the story.
This story is unique because it reveals the perspectives of a child growing up in a Chinese community while struggling to make sense of a war far from her home in the United States, but close her heart, for two important reasons.
First, her close friend, Yayeko Akiyama, was relocated to an internment camp for Japanese Americans after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Second, she had friends and relatives in China, but was not able to communicate with...