Based on the experiences of the author's father-in-law, this book recounts a disturbing chapter in Chinese-American history. Because of the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act, new immigrants are detained at San Francisco's Angel Island until they are called to take a difficult oral exam before they can "land. Illustrations. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

In this picture book from the team behind Nim and the War Effort, aimed at older readers, comes a detailed, often moving story of immigration at Angel Island, based on the experience of the author's father-in-law. At Sun's 12th birthday celebration, his father, a merchant who owns an imported foods store in San Francisco, informs the boy that the two of them will soon be leaving their Chinese village for America. Here Sun will go to school and work at his father's store. Before they depart, a tutor prepares Sun to correctly answer the questions American immigration officials will ask, to prove Sun's identity. "One wrong answer, and you might be sent back to China," his father warns. The purpose of these interrogations becomes clear when Sun, separated from his father upon their arrival, learns from other young detainees that some Chinese families send boys to the U.S. who falsely claim to be sons of returning merchants or American citizens, to gain entry into the country. (In a concluding note, Lee fleshes out the historical background of these "paper sons.") The author builds suspense as Sun stumbles several times during his interrogations, and provides a rare glimpse into the challenges posed for Chinese immigrants in the early 20th century. The spare, though occasionally wooden, earth-toned pictures convey the Chinese landscape as well as the interiors of the ship and detainees' quarters. Ages 8-up. (Mar.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Gr 3-6 Entering America from China will be difficult for 12-year-old Sun because of the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act, even though he will be traveling with his father. He studies hard so that he can answer all of the questions the American officials will ask upon his arrival; he will be alone because his father, a returning merchant, will not have to be interrogated. When he arrives on Angel Island, where Asian immigrants are held for sometimes up to a year, he waits four weeks to be called. The only questions that he cant answer are about directions, and it seems that he might fail the test and be sent back to China. Finally, with the help of a compass, he passes the test. Based on the experiences of the authors father-in-law, the book recounts a story from a neglected and shameful era in United States history. An authors note gives readers more information about the history of Chinese immigration and suggests resources for further research. Chois soft illustrations, reminiscent of those in Allen Says Grandfathers Journey (Houghton, 1993), capture the spirit of the time with beautiful visual detail. This is a significant book; from it, students will learn much about this chapter in U.S. history. Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Gr. 3-5. Like Katrina Saltonstall Currier's Kai's Journey to Gold Mountain (2005), this poignant picture book is about a Chinese immigrant boy trying to join his father in America. But this story is much more detailed, with a lengthy text that describes leaving the old country as well as the difficulties of getting into the new one. Drawing on her father-in-law's experience, Lee tells of Sun, 12, whose family employs a tutor to help prepare him for American officials' questions. Sun must memorize minute details about his home in China to prove that he is his father's true son. Indeed, Sun is detained on Angel Island, where he is interrogated for a month, and where he makes friends with two paper sons, who have made up identities to get into the country. The story is told with quiet restraint; there are no emotional partings from Sun's mother in China, no tearful reunions with older brothers already in California. But the tension is always there, and Choi's beautiful, full-page oil paintings, in sepia tones and shades of green, are quiet and packed with feeling--especially evident when the boy, stripped to the waist, endures the humiliating medical exam and when, dressed in suit and tie, he faces his interrogators, trying to remember his story. Pair this with Lawrence Yep's Tongues of Jade (1991) and other stories of immigrants detained on Ellis Island, terrified of being sent back. HazelRochman. From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.