Acclaimed, award-winning author Linda Sue Park has placed a young half-Asian girl, Hanna, in a small town in America's heartland, in 1880. Hanna's adjustment to her new surroundings, which primarily means negotiating the townspeople's almost unanimous prejudice against Asians, is at the heart of the story.
4.4Overall Score
Prairie Lotus
Reader's Review An excellent historical novel about racism in the American prairies during the 19th century. The story is narrated by a mixed-race young girl who dreams of completing her high ...
Reader’s Review
An excellent historical novel about racism in the American prairies during the 19th century. The story is narrated by a mixed-race young girl who dreams of completing her high school diploma and becoming a seamstress. But she must deal with the reality of a community that is extremely prejudiced against ‘chinamen’ and sees her as a threat. While the story of overcoming racism is somewhat predictable, the story is well written and engaging, and the details about dressmaking without a sewing machine are fascinating.
To look out for
- Islamic Values: Hanna comes across two drunken men who threaten her. One of them grabs her by the neck and she narrowly escapes. When the story gets out, many of the villagers accuse her of indecency.
- Language: Hanna teaches her friend the curse her mom used to use ‘bloody eggs. Villagers often refer to her in derogatory ways using the term ‘chinamen’.
Purchase on: Book Depository
