Ryan's Reviews > Chinese Girl in the Ghetto

Really disappointed. 90% of the book was about insignificant relations and memories with her classmates and teachers in kindergarten, elementary, and junior high schools. I found it, frankly, unimportant and that her childhood was normal at best. Every child has been yelled at by a teacher and has gotten into mischief with other classmates. I didn't need to read a whole chapter on how she got into a fight about not sharing dried mangos in elementary school (much of the book is similar in this context).

I couldn't stand her pretentious attitude towards her intellectual superiority over the Americans. I understand her animosity towards the individuals who made racist comments towards her, But her explanation of why she didn't associate with certain racial groups was very annoying and condescending as well.

I also found that her parents decision to leave china was a mistake given that the moved to a more violent and racially divided area that was worse than what they had in china. Quite depressing really.

This book had little to do with new found opportunity in America until the last few pages. Sorry for the negative review but I highly recommend not reading the book.