With over 400,000 books already in print, the Dear Canada series has fast become the book series for children. Each fictional diary invites readers into the world of a girl living through a particular period in Canada's past. Gillian Chan's latest addition illustrates the effect the Chinese Head Tax has on one young girl and her family. Mei-ling and her father are struggling to pay the head tax that will allow her mother and brother, who are still living in China, to come to Canada. They must have that money before the impending Exclusion Act bars any more Chinese from immigrating. What will happen if they can't come up with enough in time to reunite their family?
Format:Hardcover
Language:English
ISBN:0779113535
ISBN13:9780779113538
Release Date:February 2004
Publisher:Scholastic Canada
Length:217 Pages
Weight:0.69 lbs.
Age Range:8 to 12 years
Grade Range:Grades 3 to 7
Customer Reviews
3 ratings
So wonderful!
Published by Voiceman , 4 years ago
This was the first book I got in the 'Dear Canada' series (I have quite a few books in the 'Dear America' series, so I wanted to see if this series was as good, too) and I majorly enjoyed it!!! 💖It was really interesting and I read it in only 3 days... it was SO good!!!! LOVED IT!!!
An Ocean Apart.
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
One of the best books in the Dear Canada series. I have read many Dear Canada books, and though not my favorite (quite close, though) this is just a wonderful book to read. It's realistic and easy to read and enjoy. It gives you a look at what it was actually like to live at that place and time, and it almost seemed as if you were there, as if you could picture those places in your mind. A must read Dear Canada book. I never expected it to be so good.
Gillian, you've done it again!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 20 years ago
I just finished reading this novel last night. It was wonderful! I love everything about it, from the brilliant red-framed photo of Mei to the archival photos and information at the back.Gillian Chan has brought to life a little-known injustice of the past. How many Canadians realize the hardships early Chinese immigrants had to endure because of racism? Mei is such a decent and classy little girl, and she deals with her daily challenges with grace and intelligence.The historical era is scrupulously accurate and it comes alive.An Ocean Apart entertains and informs. I had tears in my eyes when I read the last page.Thank you for writing this, Gillian!
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