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Molly Cowan-Johnson.
AnonymousWhat is really interesting to me is that the book has become a hit among my daughter and many of her friends in 7th Grade. Nice tie in as they are will all be learning about Japan pretty soon...although really not sure this is the most appropriate first glance at the culture!! Anybody seen the movie yet??
AnonymousI've been posting so many "high school and above" level books, that I thought I'd post some that are more geared towards the junior high set. Namioka's Ties that Bind, Ties that Break tells the story of Ailin, a young girl in China who becomes the first in her family to refuse bound feet. Because of this, her marriage proposal is revoked, and she becomes a burden to her family: she is unmarriagable. Ailin makes the best of her situation by learning English, working for an American missionary family, and eventually moving to the US. It's a great story of survival--about how one can make it, even if one is rejected by her own family.
I've also read two Korean stories: the first is Linda Sue Park's When My Name Was Keiko, the story of a Korean family living during the Japanese occupation of their country. The story tells of how much the family lost: an uncle, who was working for the Japanese resistance and had to go into hiding; their son, who joined the Imperial Army as a Kamikazee pilot (though he intended to miss his mark; thus not destroying any American lives while destroying a Japanese plane; he also joined so that his family would receive special rations); their own names, trees in their gardens, many of their possessions and traditions. The novel ends at the end of World War II, and, in typical Young Adult novel fashion, ends happily. The second novel is a Korean American piece (which I think I've posted before) called A Step from Heaven by An Na: it traces a young Korean American girl's experiences adapting to America; which her parents, especially her father, are unable to do. Great choices for the middle school reader--they are easy reads that are engaging but still teach students about Asian history.
AnonymousI finally saw it yesterday with my Uncle. He had spent 1/1/2 years in Japan with the Air Force, so that gives you some idea of how old he is. He said it brought back memories, and he shed a few tears at the end.
I thought the film was a "chick flick". I could have done without a lot of the jealousely and back stabbing, and would have preferred more of the "nuts and bolts" of life as a Geisha. I was blown away by the cinematography. I will be shocked if the film does not get an Academy Award nomination for both costume and cinematography. The country is just absolutly gorgeous!!! The price of admission was justified just by the skill with which the movie was filmed.
I have always read how conjested Japan is, but I don't think I ever truly appreciated it, until the shots in the film showing house after house, after house, built right next door to the next one. "Teeming masses" comes to mind; and we think we have it bad near the beach?
I had read the book about two years ago, and would strongly recommed, reading the book first, and then renting the movie on video when it comes out in about 6 months. It kind of reminded me of the way they butchered "Bonfire of the Vanities" when it came out on film. But the filming alone, saved "Memoirs of a Geisha".
AnonymousI just reviewed an A&E Documentary about Emperor Hirohito, for possible use in the classroom. I intend to use a few clips in my lesson plan. For anyone dealing with WWII in their lesson plan, and Pearl Harbor, it would be well worth a look. It is 50 minutes in length. I have it in my collection, if anyone would like to borrow it to copy for their collection I would be happy to lend it to you. It also eplains a little about some of the "key players" in the war.
AnonymousI just reviewed another A&E Documentary, about Chiang Kai-Shek. This was fascininating. I really knew very little about this man, and it tickeled me to hear about some of the people who we are reading about, and hearing about, in class, shown and talked about in the tape. It is 50 minutes in length. I found nothing I could use in it for my lesson plan, but for those of you doing a lesson plan that deals with China, and what one of the commentators speaks of as "the man who lost China", I am sure it will keep your attention. I have my own copy, and again would be happy to lend it to anyone who would like to copy it for their collection.
AnonymousI finally read Lisa See's On Gold Mountain--it really does cover 100 years in her Chinese American family. The memoir alternates between California and a small village in China, so you learn about two cultures, really the mixture of those two cultures. It was neat to hear some California sites mentioned--like the french dip place in Los Angeles, Phillipes! It's still there. The protagonist of the story, Fong See, is a Chinese man who originally comes to LA to find his father (who came earlier to work on the railroad). He becomes a merchant, selling initially women's lingerie, and eventually moving into antiques imported from China. He marries a Caucasian woman who came to him for a job in his shop. Though Fong See and Ticie (the Caucasian woman) are in love, have five children, and are married for several years, ultimately, Fong See decides he cannot stand how much power Ticie has in the family, and in the business: he wants to be in control. So, he marries a Chinese woman, has five more children, and then marries another Chinese woman later. The amazing thing is that Ticie accepts Fong See's actions, calling it the Chinese way. Despite Fong See's and Ticie's love for each other, their different cultures ultimately end their relationship (although both, according to the great-granddaughter writing the story, continued to have affection for each other--is this truth, or wishful thinking on her part?). A great read, but wow, there is specific detail--a perfect read for a history buff, especially one interested in local history.
AnonymousDarlene: I also think that the film missed the nuts and bolts, the specific training, of the geisha that the book details. But I didn't mind the backstabbing between the geishas because I think that the backstabbing is a part of the "nuts and bolts" of being a geisha. If someone outshined you, stole your clients, then your livelihood was threatened. And I would imagine that you only had a limited time to be the "most celebrated geisha", so you would need to do anything to keep that position. I'm with you, though, the cinematography was spectacular!
AnonymousSo, should I read the book before the movie? I was at Borders today and I can't believe how many books are out there from/about Asian countries. I don't know where to begin reading. Any suggestions?[Edit by="babrown on Jan 4, 2:13:51 PM"][/Edit]
AnonymousMy son and I went to Borders in Torrance and found a Chinese to English, and English to Chinese Words, Phrases and Expressions text for a very reasonable $18.95. They also discount for educators. Chinese Dictionary, Words, Phrases, & Expressions, Published by Research & Education Association.
The emphasis is on spoken Chinese but I really like the appendix that includes family terms, weights and measures, and traveler phrase tips.
AnonymousJuWei and I found a good book to practice Chinese characters. 250 Essential Chinese Characters, for everyday use. Published by Tuttle Language Library, Author: Phillip Yungkin Lee. This is a reasonable $19.95 (less the teacher discount they give you at Borders).
JuWei and I thought we would use this for character practice with the elementary students. It also has quizzes for every 10 characters it teaches. I found that to be very convenient.
I know that I will benefit from this book so I am sure that the children will as well.
AnonymousMaking Connections, Enhance Your Listening Comprehension in Chinese, by MadeLine K. Spring, published by Simplified Character Edition. Borders has this one for $39.95. It is a little more expensive but it has lessons on things like:
· Greetings
· Family
· Dates and times
· Hobbies
· Visiting friends
· School life
· Shopping
· Talking about the Weather
· Transportation
· Dining
· Library skills
· Directions
· Birthday party
· Doctor visits
· Dating
· Renting an apartment
This list is about half of what is in the book. As you can see, this one is great for school lessons.
AnonymousHi, thanks for the tips. I was going to watch The Joy Luck Club again since I love that movie and haven't seen it for a while. Appartently, The Red Lantern deals with similar themes but is particular to Los Angeles, which does interest me very much, so I will watch that one too. I've been to Chinatown a lot since it's not far from my house. Yang Chow is a fabulous restaurant and if you ever need Chinese herbs for health reasons, try the huge pharmacy on Broadway. (Don't remember the name.) My daughter and I paid big bucks for lots of wonderful cleansing herbs for making teas, tried them twice and couldn't continue the treatment. I'm afraid the taste was too acrid and memorable, but I'll bet they would have done the trick.
AnonymousOops, I mean Light the Red Lantern! The book sounds wonderful too.
AnonymousHey, Rebecca, I guess you're still in the system. Great! Have you read Confessions of an Economic Hit Man? This is colonialism at it's worst, i.e., corporate takeovers of governments secretly or not too secretly backed by US government, in South America. The book is terrific -- lots of insights. One particular image remains of the author's viewing of a wonderful water puppet show in Indonesia. The book is very popular. Happy New Year!
AnonymousHappy New Year, Dan. I was wondering about this most recent of Amy Tan's books. Is it as interesting as Text? What is the underlying conflict? Have you read all Tan's books? Oh, for more time! I am just now getting to the forums.