Project Mulberry

Why I really, really like this book: 1. Julia, a Korean-American seventh-grader, deals with a lot of issues common to Asians growing up in the United States. I immediately identified with some of her insecurities. 2. Patrick, Julia's best friend, becomes her friend mainly because he's not put off by t......more

There are a lot of themes going on in this book. It feels a little messy, and some of the ideas are never tied up successfully. It also gets a bit preachy at times. It also has sections between the chapters where the author discusses things with the main character; it didn't really work for me.......more

Book covers so much - intimate lifecycle of silkworms, basic embroidery, sustainable farming and ethics of raising farm animals, racism, what it takes to be a good friend. Realistic, fun dialog. Author/main character banter following each chapter shows young writers how a storyline and characters ar......more

Linda Sue Park reminds me of Lowis Lowry as a writer. You always get a well-crafted, unique story with characters' that have distinct voices and a tight plot. She's also such a sophisticated writer, I don't think readers always get what she's doing. Take the metafictional narrative that occurs betwe......more

Like most best friends, seventh-graders Julia Song and Patrick like to do everything together, from homework to collecting state quarters to joining the Work-Grow-Give-Live Club, affectionately known as the Wiggle Club. The club's purpose it to teach kids about farming, and every January, members ar......more