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A review by readingwitherin
Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park
fast-paced
5.0
"If she were white, she wouldn’t have to wear the bonnet. If she were white, she wouldn’t have to ask about attending school. If she were white . . ."
I first hear about this book when people were trying to find alternative books to the little house series. This book blew me away and I can definitely see it being a good substitute for the little house series.
Praire Lotus follows Hanna and her father as they travel from California to the Dakota territory. Hanna's father is white, but she is Asian, and her mom has passed away leaving it to just be her and her dad.
Hanna learned a lot from her mom before she passed away, and one of those things was how to sew clothing. Back in California, they had a dressmaking store, but now in the Dakota territory, her dad want's to create a dry goods store with a side of fabric and dressmaking supplies. But Hanna wants something a little different and must convince her dad that her idea is a good one.
Along the way to the Dakota territory, we learn more about Hanna and her dad, and why they are moving. We also get to see them interact a little with Native Americans and see some of the fear that is shown towards them.
“Sometimes beautiful things aren’t for buying. They’re for dreaming.”
Overall I loved this book! Hanna was such an endearing character that not only shows perseverance when times are tough but also how to deal with people in certain situations. Hanna carries herself so well and even though she is young and dealing with tough situations she finds ways to make it work for everyone. And while no she shouldn't have to because she is a child, she also doesn't let people tell her her dreams aren't worth anything. She finds people in the town that they live in who believe her and believe in her. She will do amazing things and prove to others along the way she is just as good as they are.
I'm glad the author wrote this book and didn't shy away from the harder parts to make it idealistic. The truth of some of what she would have dealt with when it came to racism is real and especially at that time to people of Asian descent.
I look forward to reading more by this author in the future and highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a change from the little house stories.
"They were in favor of fairness and justice as long as it wasn’t too inconvenient or uncomfortable."
I first hear about this book when people were trying to find alternative books to the little house series. This book blew me away and I can definitely see it being a good substitute for the little house series.
Praire Lotus follows Hanna and her father as they travel from California to the Dakota territory. Hanna's father is white, but she is Asian, and her mom has passed away leaving it to just be her and her dad.
Hanna learned a lot from her mom before she passed away, and one of those things was how to sew clothing. Back in California, they had a dressmaking store, but now in the Dakota territory, her dad want's to create a dry goods store with a side of fabric and dressmaking supplies. But Hanna wants something a little different and must convince her dad that her idea is a good one.
Along the way to the Dakota territory, we learn more about Hanna and her dad, and why they are moving. We also get to see them interact a little with Native Americans and see some of the fear that is shown towards them.
“Sometimes beautiful things aren’t for buying. They’re for dreaming.”
Overall I loved this book! Hanna was such an endearing character that not only shows perseverance when times are tough but also how to deal with people in certain situations. Hanna carries herself so well and even though she is young and dealing with tough situations she finds ways to make it work for everyone. And while no she shouldn't have to because she is a child, she also doesn't let people tell her her dreams aren't worth anything. She finds people in the town that they live in who believe her and believe in her. She will do amazing things and prove to others along the way she is just as good as they are.
I'm glad the author wrote this book and didn't shy away from the harder parts to make it idealistic. The truth of some of what she would have dealt with when it came to racism is real and especially at that time to people of Asian descent.
I look forward to reading more by this author in the future and highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a change from the little house stories.
"They were in favor of fairness and justice as long as it wasn’t too inconvenient or uncomfortable."