Monday, April 10, 2023

The Paper Daughters of Chinatown by Heather B. Moore and Allison Hong Merrill - ADVISABLE

The Paper Daughters of Chinatown by Heather B. Moore and Allison Hong Merrill, 214 pages. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2023. $19.

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

At age six, Tai Choi is sold by her father and then several other adults in rapid succession. They take the legacy of her family by unbinding her feet, they take away her country when they sell her in America, and they take away her name. Dolly (27yo) is excited for the opportunity to teach sewing skills to Chinese girls who have been rescued from trafficking, and she quickly becomes more involved in the rescue process – even as it threatens her life.

Based on a true story, this book has been adapted for young readers. The pain and sorrow and hope and triumphs are still moving, despite knowing this is the watered-down version. Knowing that human trafficking did and does happen makes readers more grateful, encourages readers to not lose hope in the face of their difficulties, and inspires readers to find ways to do good. We can be strong. We can become advocates for good.

All of the characters mentioned are either Chinese or White. The mature content rating is for mentions of brothels and prostitution, human trafficking, innuendo, and mentions of drugs. The violence rating is for child abuse, gun use, and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

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