Project Mulberry
Author(s): Linda Sue Park
In this contemporary novel, Newbery Medalist Linda Sue Park delivers a funny, lively story that illuminates both the process of writing a novel and the meaning of growing up American.
"A rich work that treats serious issues with warmth, respect, and a good deal of humor" (Kirkus starred review). Perfect for both independent reading and classroom sharing.
Julia Song and her friend Patrick would love to win a blue ribbon, maybe even two, at the state fair. They’ve always done projects together, and they work well as a team. This time, though, they’re having trouble coming up with just the right project. Then Julia’s mother offers a suggestion: They can raise silkworms, as she did when she was a girl in Korea.
Patrick thinks it’s a great idea. Of course there are obstacles—for example, where will they get mulberry leaves, the only thing silkworms eat?—but nothing they can’t handle.
Julia isn’t so sure. The club where kids do their projects is all about traditional American stuff, and raising silkworms just doesn’t fit in. Moreover, the author, Ms. Park, seems determined to make Julia’s life as complicated as possible, no matter how hard Julia tries to talk her out of it.
Review(s):
"Compelling characters and their passionate differences...drive the plot...unforgettable family and friendship story...a great cross-curriculum title." BOOKLIST, starred Booklist, ALA, Starred Review
"Park creates a Korean-American seventh-grader so lifelike she jumps off the page....introduces many issues relevant to budding adolescents." PW Publishers Weekly
"A rich work that treats serious issues with warmth, respect, and a good deal of humor." KIRKUS REVIEWS, starred Kirkus Reviews, Starred
"This skillfully written tale will have wide appeal." SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, starred School Library Journal, Starred
"Park has a sensitive ear for the nuances of self-doubt and burgeoning self-awareness that permeate junior-high experience." THE BULLETIN Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Julia is a vivacious character...provide[s] interesting glimpses into how fiction is written." HORN BOOK Horn Book
Rebecca Caudill Young Readers’ Book Award (Illinois), Rhode Island Children's Book Award, Chicago Public Library Best of the Best, New York Public Library's “One Hundred Titles for Reading and Sharing”, Bank Street Children’s Best Books of the Year, Keystone to Reading Book Award Masterlist (Pennsylvania)
ISBN: 9780544935211