Tan, Amy.
THE JOY LUCK CLUB
New York : Putnam's, 1989
IL YA
ISBN 0399134204

Told in first person (rotating from person to person) secrets are uncovered, truths are explored, and mysteries are resolved.  The story is loosely centered around one daughter whose mother has passed away.  Her mother's greatest regret is leaving behind twin daughters in China.  After she passed the remaining mothers made contact with the missing twins and try to convince June to travel to China in her mother's stead.  June, like their own daughters, is unsure of how she might represent her mother, feeling like there is so much she doesn't know about her mother, mainly this life before coming to America and meeting and marrying her father.

The story speaks highly of the Asian culture, deeply rooted in historical context, explaining some key aspects to Chinese customs, and bridges the relationship of this culture with others.   It is easy to relate to this story, no matter your cultural heritage.  Everyone, particularly teens, can admit that we know too little about our parents, and sometimes are even surprised at the realities.

One of my favorite passages is about one mother who frustratingly comes to terms with the idea that no matter how hard she tried to raise her daughter the American way, she is just like her, as she was like her mother, and her mother before her.  She uses the metaphor of steps on a stairway, always the same.  It provides a beautiful opportunity to examine this concept of similarities and differences to their parent.  It is a unique opportunity to learn about the Chinese culture and to connect to one's own culture and heritage.  (Kathleen Quiroz West, kathleenwest@gmail.com, teacher)