Bibliographic Data: Yep, Lawrence. 1977. Child of the owl. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.
ISBN 006440336X
Plot Summary:
Casey, a twelve year-old girl, is sent to live with her grandmother, Paw Paw, in Chinatown after her gambling-father is mugged. Casey struggles to fit in, is overwhelmed by all the sounds, noise, and traditions, but eventually comes to realize that this is where she most fits in, this is her heritage, and this is her home.
Critical Analysis:
Yep is one of the authors at the forefront of the historical fiction genre. He has written over fifty books, most with historical settings, and this long courtship with writing is evident in the ease of Child of the Owl.
Casey is the stereotypical wise-beyond-her-years young girl, and has to be, as she is motherless and her father is primarily a gambler. She does what she can to help around the house, and does her best to take care of the things she can. The strength and loss Yep writes into her characters’ story arc makes her hesitation to bond with her Paw-Paw all the more believable. Why, after having taken care of herself for so long, would she listen to anything her wacky grandmother or family would have to say? Especially when they have strange customs, accents, and talk poorly of her father? Eventually, of course, the relationship between Casey and her family strengthens, and she learns more than she could have every imagined. The story is a good reminder that listening to your elders’ could be very illuminating and insightful. However, what Casey taught her grandmother should also not be discounted.
The story takes place in the 1960s, and therefore there are no references or is there utilization of modern technology. Considering this book was published in 1977, it reads even more authentic to the era, as nuisances from the future did not seep it. The Beatles were mentioned (as they were in The Wednesday Wars) and that helped paint the scene. However, Chinatown, or the Chinatown described by Yep, is era-less. Yep writes about the area in a manner that can transport any reader to the scene; Clothes hanging from windows, religious statues hanging everywhere, people walking straight into traffic, loud noise, and Chinese music constantly playing. If one were to visit San Francisco and this area now, they would find the description mostly the same, except with televisions and cell phones in all the shops and houses.
Reviews:
WASHINGTON BOOK WORLD- Hey! That Happened to me. I did that. I saw that,' the young reader will say, and be glad that a writer set it down, and feel comforted, less eccentric, less alone. Along with the sadness, Child Of The Owl makes us laugh with familiarity. —Hong Kingston
CHILDREN’S LITERATURE- This compelling first person narrative is spun by Casey, and easily draws older readers into her life in Chinatown of San Francisco in the 1960s. Chinatown is a new world for Casey. When her father, Barney, ends up in the hospital, Casey is sent to live with her grandma. Casey is not familiar with her Chinese history. She must now attend Chinese school, eat strange Chinese food and live among people who rarely speak English. Slowly Casey's grandmother, Paw-Paw, reveals their family history and tells Casey her true Chinese name. Readers will identify with Casey and her struggles and will be moved as Casey makes room in her heart for her Chinese grandmother and her Chinese history. -Sue Reichard
Awards:
Connections:
Having children sit and talk about the different traditions their families have would help them understand that not every child or family does the same things at home, for holidays, or even for meals or religious rituals.
The Child of the Owl is one of ten chronicles by Yep published in chronological order by fictional year. COTO is seventh in this time line.
1. The Serpent's Children, set in 1849 (1984)
2. Mountain Light, 1855 (1985)
3. Dragon's Gate, 1867 (1993)
4. The Traitor, 1885 (2003)
5. Dragonwings, 1903 (1975)
6. Dragon Road, 1939 (2007); originally The Red Warrior
7. Child of the Owl, 1960 (1977)
8. Sea Glass, 1970 (1979)
9. Thief of Hearts, 1995 (1995)
10. Dragons of Silk, 1835-2011 (2011)
Plot Summary:
Casey, a twelve year-old girl, is sent to live with her grandmother, Paw Paw, in Chinatown after her gambling-father is mugged. Casey struggles to fit in, is overwhelmed by all the sounds, noise, and traditions, but eventually comes to realize that this is where she most fits in, this is her heritage, and this is her home.
Critical Analysis:
Yep is one of the authors at the forefront of the historical fiction genre. He has written over fifty books, most with historical settings, and this long courtship with writing is evident in the ease of Child of the Owl.
Casey is the stereotypical wise-beyond-her-years young girl, and has to be, as she is motherless and her father is primarily a gambler. She does what she can to help around the house, and does her best to take care of the things she can. The strength and loss Yep writes into her characters’ story arc makes her hesitation to bond with her Paw-Paw all the more believable. Why, after having taken care of herself for so long, would she listen to anything her wacky grandmother or family would have to say? Especially when they have strange customs, accents, and talk poorly of her father? Eventually, of course, the relationship between Casey and her family strengthens, and she learns more than she could have every imagined. The story is a good reminder that listening to your elders’ could be very illuminating and insightful. However, what Casey taught her grandmother should also not be discounted.
The story takes place in the 1960s, and therefore there are no references or is there utilization of modern technology. Considering this book was published in 1977, it reads even more authentic to the era, as nuisances from the future did not seep it. The Beatles were mentioned (as they were in The Wednesday Wars) and that helped paint the scene. However, Chinatown, or the Chinatown described by Yep, is era-less. Yep writes about the area in a manner that can transport any reader to the scene; Clothes hanging from windows, religious statues hanging everywhere, people walking straight into traffic, loud noise, and Chinese music constantly playing. If one were to visit San Francisco and this area now, they would find the description mostly the same, except with televisions and cell phones in all the shops and houses.
Reviews:
WASHINGTON BOOK WORLD- Hey! That Happened to me. I did that. I saw that,' the young reader will say, and be glad that a writer set it down, and feel comforted, less eccentric, less alone. Along with the sadness, Child Of The Owl makes us laugh with familiarity. —Hong Kingston
CHILDREN’S LITERATURE- This compelling first person narrative is spun by Casey, and easily draws older readers into her life in Chinatown of San Francisco in the 1960s. Chinatown is a new world for Casey. When her father, Barney, ends up in the hospital, Casey is sent to live with her grandma. Casey is not familiar with her Chinese history. She must now attend Chinese school, eat strange Chinese food and live among people who rarely speak English. Slowly Casey's grandmother, Paw-Paw, reveals their family history and tells Casey her true Chinese name. Readers will identify with Casey and her struggles and will be moved as Casey makes room in her heart for her Chinese grandmother and her Chinese history. -Sue Reichard
Awards:
- ALA Notable Book
- A School Library Journal Best Book
- Jane Addams Book Award
Connections:
Having children sit and talk about the different traditions their families have would help them understand that not every child or family does the same things at home, for holidays, or even for meals or religious rituals.
The Child of the Owl is one of ten chronicles by Yep published in chronological order by fictional year. COTO is seventh in this time line.
1. The Serpent's Children, set in 1849 (1984)
2. Mountain Light, 1855 (1985)
3. Dragon's Gate, 1867 (1993)
4. The Traitor, 1885 (2003)
5. Dragonwings, 1903 (1975)
6. Dragon Road, 1939 (2007); originally The Red Warrior
7. Child of the Owl, 1960 (1977)
8. Sea Glass, 1970 (1979)
9. Thief of Hearts, 1995 (1995)
10. Dragons of Silk, 1835-2011 (2011)