The Star Fisher

The Star Fisher tells the story of 15-year-old Joan Lee and her family as they relocate to Clarksburg, West Virginia, in 1927 to start a new life and open a laundry. As the first Chinese Americans in town, they are met with significant prejudice and unwelcoming attitudes from many residents. The novel, described as poignant and gently humorous, explores Joan's experience of feeling like an outsider, her family's resilience in the face of discrimination, and their journey towards finding acceptance. It's an excellent book for discussing historical prejudice, cultural identity, and the importance of empathy and courage.

"This poignant, gently humorous novel is about prejudice and acceptance....15-year-old Joan Lee is a child of two worlds. As a Chinese American, she has never felt her separateness more than now, in 1927, in this new place in West Virginia. Only Miss Lucy, their landlord and neighbor, seems welcoming....There's nothing coy about Yep's portrait of prejudice, which he sketches from several angles."--Booklist. "A pleasure to read, entertaining its audience even as it educates their hearts."--Horn Book.