Summary
In this story, Mimi is a ghost who is seeking acceptance from her American peers, while trying to respect her Chinese family and heritage. Mimi tries to balance her pride for her traditional Chinese heritage and her longing to fit into the American culture. However, in the end she realizes that you can change your clothes, but you cannot change who you are, so she then decides to teach her peers about her Chinese heritage and the special traditions and clothing that is meaningful to her.
Theme(s):
Struggles against pressures of society, Family, Tradition, Courage/Bravery, Overcoming Adversity, Imagination, Taking a Stand & Character Change
Personal Response
This book was a window text for me because it allowed me to feel the pressures of fitting in that Mimi experiences and how she overcomes this pressure by embracing who she is. As I read, I noticed that the author touches on the idea of cultural appropriation and how it can be hurtful and disrespectful to others. Also, the author shows how powerful it can be to not only accept and love who you are and where you come from, but to also teach others about who you are and where you come from.
Teaching Ideas
I would integrate this book into the social studies curriculum. I would have students participate in a cultural show and tell project, where they can bring in items that are a part of their own culture such clothing, pictures, items of worship, memorials, and much more. Then, students would present their cultural show and tell items with a PowerPoint presentation and explain what each item represents in their culture and why these items are special and meaningful to them and their culture.
Recommended Reading Level
Birth-PreK, Grade 01, Grade 02
