Yen Shei and the American Bonsai

When the bus finally came, the bus driver called her "Yen-She-I" and she had to correct him.

"My name is Yen Shee," she pronounced slowly.

"Sorry," he said but Yen Shei just looked out the bus window . . .

Pronouncing her name for everyone is the least of Yen Shei's troubles when her family moves from their apartment in Chinatown to a house in suburbia. She misses the Wong Market where she used to buy rice paper candy, Lou's Books where she could read manga, the New Luck Restaurant and Little Mann Theater. But on the first day of fifth grade at her new school, Yen Shei meets her teacher Kris D'Laine and starts to think about community and family in new and different ways. Ms. D'Laine helps Yen Shei understand that even though we all seem very different, we're actually much the same.

Yen Shei's transition to her new neighborhood, school and view of the world ring true. Every young person who has ever come to a new place will identify with her and her important journey. Anyone who has ever wondered how to fit into the world will find a home with her.

This Premium Edition includes a CD with two audio versions of the story, a read-along, and a full-color ebook for the computer. The book itself is made with earth-friendly methods and materials including a vibrant cover and more than sixty interior drawings.

What educators are saying:

"Since the release of Jennifer Anna's 'Year of the Dragon' I've purchased all of her books for classroom/school library use and several, including this one, for my personal home library. This book is part picture book, part chapter book. The main characters are in fifth grade but I've read the book, in two and three sessions, to second, third and fourth graders. This book is about difference and about finding friends and family in a new place. Again, Ms. Anna really hits the mark perfectly. She can engage and teach children without them ever knowing it."

--Jessica B., Atlanta, GA

"This book should really be given some type of award with the word 'All-American' in it; I've rarely found a better explanation of the melting pot concept and I'm not even sure that's what Anna was going for. The book is funny and engaging but also a great ice-breaker for getting students to talk about their families and how they see themselves as part of the American fabric no matter what their ethic background. There is so much more than just white kids and black kids. There can be fascinating differences between families of Irish origin and Italian origin, for example. I lifted the 'My family is…' writing assignment right out of the book and my students loved it." --Mark F., San Diego, CA