The Gold-Threaded Dress

Name: The Gold-Threaded Dress
Brand: Brilliance Audio
Availability: InStock
Author: Carolyn Marsden
ISBN: 9781611066326

Author: Carolyn Marsden

Narrator: Amy Rubinate

Unabridged: 56 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Candlewick on Brilliance Audio

Published: 06/14/2011

Categories: Children's Fiction, Children's Social Themes

Synopsis

In Thailand, Oy was called by her own name, but in her first school in America, the teacher renames her Olivia. Everything else is different too. The other girls leave her out of their games, and a boy named Frankie teases her. Then Liliandra, a popular girl in the class, sees a photo of Oy in her Thai dancing dress and offers to let Oy into her club if she brings the dress to school. Oy knows that would be a betrayal of her family’s traditions, but she wants so much to belong. At home, fingering the pink silk of her dress, Oy makes a decision.“Marsden hits the issues of this age group squarely and truthfully.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)“Marsden writes with keen observation and finesse about the social dynamics of the classroom and with simplicity reveals the layers of emotion experienced by Oy.” —Booklist (starred review)“A simple story about the painstaking effort of trying to fit in.” —School Library Journal

About Carolyn Marsden

Carolyn Marsden is the author of numerous books for younger readers. She has an MFA in Writing for Children from Vermont College.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Nancy on May 02, 2011

I read this book to see if it was appropriate to read to my third graders. I've had some trouble with some bullying, so I thought this slim little volume might be a good way to end the year. I read the first half of it to my first class today, and I could tell they were listening. We had a little di......more

Goodreads review by David on November 30, 2014

The story takes place in an American city. The main character is Oy, who immigrated to America with her family for better opportunities. The father, a Thai Chef, won a cooking contest and got a job in America. The move location within a community to a poorer area and Oy has to move to a new school.......more

Goodreads review by Max on April 12, 2019

This book really showcases the problems I faced moving from school to school and wanting to make friends so bad I just did what they said and became there slave. This book made me feel like wasn't alone.......more

Goodreads review by Libby on February 12, 2025

I read this book at school and my teacher, Mrs. Vrchamis recommended it to me twice. The first time I thought it didn’t look so great but boy was I ever wrong! So finally I decided to read it!! This book was great!!! It’s full of friendship, drama and more! Definitely worth reading!!......more

Goodreads review by eRin on August 15, 2008

Oy is a Thai immigrant who is just trying to fit in. Her new elementary school is not a great place to accomplish that: the girls are mean and exclusive and the annoying boy, Frankie, keeps calling her Chinese. She doesn't get much support from home, either; her mother doesn't speak English and her......more