Location: 157 Winslow Way E., Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 | Map Hours: 10am-6pm daily | Phone: (206) 842-5332
As a child, the author loved the Little House on the Prairie books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. But as a person of Asian descent, she struggled to find herself in the pages. Prairie Lotus does just that. It's a charming, reflective, and highly readable novel about a girl of Chinese-Korean descent and her battle to find a life and acceptance on the American prairie in 1880. As the heroine, Hanna fights to make her own way in the school, church, and dress making business of the prairie town of La Forge. She also learns of the injustices put upon the Native American people who once inhabited the land. Her thoughtful pursuit of justice and fairness, as well as her exploration of her own talents and views, make for a delightful read. Highly recommended for middle age readers and adults alike. Ages 10 & up.
— BernicePrairie Lotus is a powerful, touching, multilayered novel about a girl determined to fit in and realize her dreams: getting an education, becoming a dressmaker in her father’s shop, and making at least one friend.
Acclaimed, award-winning author Linda Sue Park has placed a young half-Asian girl, Hanna, in a small town in America’s heartland, in 1880. Hanna’s adjustment to her new surroundings, which primarily means negotiating the townspeople’s almost unanimous prejudice against Asians, is at the heart of the story.
Narrated by Hanna, the novel has poignant moments yet sparkles with humor, introducing a captivating heroine whose wry, observant voice will resonate with readers. Includes an afterword from the author.
This moving historical novel is from Newbery Medalist Linda Sue Park, whose beloved middle grade books include A Single Shard and A Long Walk to Water.
Linda Sue Park is the author of the Newbery Medal-winning A Single Shard, the best-seller A Long Walk to Water, and the highly-praised novel Prairie Lotus. She has also written several acclaimed picture books and serves on the advisory board of We Need Diverse Books. She lives in western New York with her family. www.lindasuepark.com, Twitter: @LindaSuePark
"Captivating." — New York Times Book Review
"In this accessible exploration of a biracial teen’s prairie year, Park invites fellow Wilder fans to consider the struggle for respect and independence roiling beneath the iconic sunbonnet." — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
"Narrated by a smart, clear-sighted and tremendously likable protagonist, Prairie Lotus is a richly layered work of historical fiction set in a landscape that will be familiar to Little House on the Prairie readers….As one can expect from Park,?Prairie Lotus's gorgeous, fluid storytelling carries the reader along swiftly to a satisfying conclusion.” — Shelf Awareness
