The Jade Dragon
The Jade Dragon by Carolyn Marsden is a first edition published by Candlewick Press in 2006, featuring 169 pages in English. This middle-grade novel explores the complexities of friendship through the eyes of Ginny, a Chinese-American girl who hopes to bond with her new classmate, Stephanie, who was adopted from China. As Ginny learns more about Stephanie, she grapples with her expectations and the realities of their differing experiences and cultural backgrounds.
Readers will find a nuanced portrayal of Ginny’s journey as she navigates her desire for friendship while holding onto her cultural identity. The story delves into themes of social issues and the challenges of understanding one’s heritage, particularly in the context of Asian American experiences. As Ginny prepares for a family holiday celebration, she faces a dilemma involving her cherished jade dragon, which serves as a symbol of her connection to her culture. This insightful narrative captures the delicate balance between friendship and cultural pride.
Official synopsis Publisher
A Chinese-American girl longs for friendship with a classmate adopted from China in this subtle, insightful middle-grade novel.
Ginny is sure the new girl in her second-grade class will be her best friend. After all, Stephanie is Chinese, just like Ginny. But Ginny soon discovers some puzzling things about Stephanie: she doesn’t like Chinese food, she hates her straight black hair, and even more surprisingly, her parents are not Chinese. At Ginny’s house, MaMá cooks delicious Chinese dishes as the family prepares for their big holiday party and Stephanie spies Ginny’s most prized possession — a hand-carved jade dragon — and asks to take it home. Much as Ginny yearns for a best friend, is it worth the risk of losing her special keepsake and angering MaMá? Drawing on Virginia Loh’s real life story, the authors poignantly capture Ginny’s dilemma as she navigates with difficulty between her culture and her friendship.
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