The Year of the Book is touching story about making friends. Anna knows that friendship is a very complicated thing. So when Anna needs company she turns to her books. But she realizes books can't talk or play dolls with you. Annie discovers what it takes to make friends.
The Year of the Book (An Anna Wang novel)
By Andrea Cheng
| Interest Level | Reading Level | Reading A-Z | ATOS | Word Count |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grades 4 - 8 | Grades 2 - 4 | O | 3.6 | 20719 |
In Chinese, peng you means friend. But in any language, all Anna knows for certain is that friendship is complicated.
When Anna needs company, she turns to her books. Whether traveling through A Wrinkle in Time, or peering over My Side of the Mountain, books provide what real life cannot—constant companionship and insight into her changing world.
Books, however, can’t tell Anna how to find a true friend. She’ll have to discover that on her own. In the tradition of classics like Maud Hart Lovelace’s Betsy-Tacy books and Eleanor Estes’ One Hundred Dresses, this novel subtly explores what it takes to make friends and what it means to be one.
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
ISBN-13: 9780544022638
ISBN-10: 0544022637
Published on 5/7/2013
Binding: Paperback
Number of pages: 160
Book Reviews (76)
Hi people, this is my book review. So there's this girl named Anna and she doesn't have many friends and isn't popular, but she knows that friendship is complicated. When Anna is bored and lonely she'll read books to make her feel not lonely. Anna reads tons of different types of books and she's always trying to find a "real" friend.
Anna is a girl who doesn't really have friends. She loves to read books. I think that this book is very nice and flowing. I think that Andrea Cheng is such a good writer.
This was a fast paced novel.. It was a story where a lot of girls can relate to... So it starts off with Anna...she is borne as Chinese American. Her former friend Laura now hangs out with a mean girl named Allison, and she only have Ray left, the crossing guard. Now things are not really looking up for Anna, so she turns to her books, which giver her faith and hope... Also Anna's mom is not the best English grammatical mom, but also Anna isn't either with Chinese.... and Anna finally realizes how they have the same troubles... What I liked about the book is that you could relate to it a lot... for example I love reading and art... I am kind of like a social butterfly, so it's a little bit hard to relate from her point of view... but what I thought was an "awwww" moment was when Anna read to one of her friends at night aloud until she falls asleep... I feel like main theme of the story is too always work hard at something to try your best and to find a solution. That's what I liked about Anna how she has her determination... and her stubbornness to build up an Anna Wong.
I like your review.. I could relate to this book A LOT.. I love books like Anna, and I have trouble making friends like Anna... (You're lucky, I'm literally, the opposite of a social butterfly..) Honestly, even on DOGO News, I'm pretty outgoing and have a very definitive opinion, and sometimes people don't agree.. And then they don't talk to me anymore, which makes me feel kind of bad.. Anyway.. I liked when Anna read to her friend too! It's kind of strange.. I'm not the best at English, but I picked up pretty quickly.. My mom isn't a native speaker so she's still struggling with English.. I can understand some of Anna's burdens and troubles...
Aww thanks... I really like yours too! What???? You are soooooooooo outgoing, friendly, nice, and AWESOME.... I'm really lucky to meet an amazing person like you... Just stand strong in what you believe in because behind the avatar, FELICISOWL, is a smart, bold, funny, evil (just kidding ;D... well....you did hide my books, cheese, and a fish in a secretive place in my room:D), and kind person.... Yeah, my parent's second language is English... but I really liked how the author made this book seem so realistic, that you could connect your problems to hers...
I am definitely evil. Thank you for the lovely compliments! And I love your reviews too! I bet that underneath that avatar, BIBLIOPHILE, is a beautiful person inside and out, as you have showed me on DOGO! I'm glad to have met such a good friend :)
Aww.. thanks! I have been having some "social" problems, but I understand that not a lot of people at my school really like books.. so yeah. I'm apparently "abnormal" to them.. But I really don't mind :) I think the author teaches an ESL class, so that's why she knows some problems and worries of people who aren't native to America... I love your book reviews.. they're so interesting and capture my heart at the same time.. sometimes they're downright funny.. Oh, Ashley as a babysitter - success - XD HEHEHHHEHEHEHEHE Tee hee.. by the way which character is most like you in The Tapper Twins? I'm most like Sophie and Claudia, but I have a "mischievous" side XD
That's so sweet of your teacher... in my school some of my teachers tries to get them to get to know them better... but some don't really care... but oh well... I mean we have to learn in high school or college... Lol... Tell Ashley I said hi :P... I am probably more like Claudia... but a kit more louder... :D... yeah me too I have that rebel streak inside me too... I mean I am all about being respectful.. but sometimes you need the wild side to take over you... :)
I loved The Year of the Book! It was very funny! The characters really came alive! I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a fun Summer read!
i love this book you should read it and it a good book i read it in my classroom i read this book and i have the book last year i read it
I went through fourth-grade and this book is very true in many ways like life is full of challenges. This book is told by a young girl, Anna, who is struggling with shifting friendships and her family's Chinese heritage. Friendships change, kids can be mean, and some end up feeling left out, and that's exactly what Anna is feeling. Burying herself in a book is her way of friends, but then Anna realizes, she does have friends.
This was an ok book... I liked the theme of the story about friendship, but the book itself was a little cheesy. In a way, I can relate to it, because when life gets too hard, I always use books as an escape too. This book was good, but a little babyish. I would recommend this book to 3rd graders.
thought this book was pretty good could have been better
Hi, and I hope you will enjoy my review of Year of the Book. I don't understand why people are saying sort of negative things about this book. For example, one person said the main character (Anna) was too serious. If you really catch the details, there are reasons why she is pretty serious. Besides, there are some really amazing characters like Marlin from Finding Nemo and Mulan who are serious but truly awesome. Maybe Anna doesn't live up to their standards, but she's still a really amazing character. Here is the plot: Anna Wang used to be best friends with Laura once upon a time. But now, Laura tends to hang out more with her new-found friends, Allison and Lucy, instead of Anna. Anna, instead, becomes friends with Ray, and even more so, her books. Anna's mom works for a man called Mr. Shepherd who is elderly and very kind, but pretty lonely ever since his wife passed away. Anna is embarrassed seen with her mom and her cleaning supplies. Anna is also embarrassed that her mom doesn't have perfect English, but she still loves her. I can relate to this because even though sometimes my mom does things that are embarrassing to me, I still love her. Anna goes to Chinese school to learn more Chinese (Anna only knows a few words) and meets a girl named Camille. Camille, like Anna's mom, is not yet quite over the language barrier and has an especially hard time with reading, but Camille is a kind and good friend. Anna slowly starts to reconcile with Laura. Laura comes to Anna whenever her best friend Allison is mean to her, like on Halloween, when Laura has a dispute with Allison about something, Anna and Laura go trick-and-treating together. Laura later has a sleepover with Anna when she has family problems. Even though Anna has troubles of her own, which are similar to mine, Laura's troubles are much worse in my opinion. Her dad is an angry man who throws things and shouts, and even though the family doesn't want him, he keeps coming back. Laura becomes best friends with Anna once again, even turning down an offer from Allison to 'be part of the popular crowd' once again. Happily ever after :) Pros + Cons + Grading Section: The ending was amazing, in my opinion, pretty perfect, but not going to spoil it. The artwork is very quirky and very cute (the drawings done by Abigail Halpin). I love that this book is relatable. I often had to pause now and then and say, "Wow, I experienced that." or "Hey, I love that book!" I especially loved the character of Anna, who was basically my twin because I had similar friends and one of my friends is really like Laura. I also love reading and I like how awesome books have little "cameos" in the Year of the Book. (Totally get the title now.) A lot of the characters are three-dimensional, and basically it should be 5 stars. One thing I didn't like was that it was like Laura was using Anna at some parts. Like if Allison didn't invite Laura, then Anna was her second choice. It was almost like Anna was the third/fourth wheel, even when they were close. So it's 4.5 for me, but since 4.5 rounds to 5, I gave it a 5 :D ~FelicisOwl
WOW... I like your whole review a lot!!!! But I like the Pros+Cons+Grading Section part a lot... it seems like America's Got Talent... or like an elimination round where you are the judge and you grade each act... but for us it's our awesome books... P.S. Since your one of the judges I'l judge with you... like your partner in crime... sort of... Now I'm just rambling again (I notice I ramble a lot here!)... going to hit the button to post... :D
Partner in Crime/Fellow Judge, You are hereby formally accepted to judge the show.. er.. what should we name the show?? Maybe.. "Books Have Words?" Yes, yes, you do ramble quite a bit, but that's only because.. er.... well anyway I ramble too XD
That is the perfect name! For me I'll rate this book as 4 stars... the only reason why I docked off a point was because it was short... and also what you said in your review... It had to much of a part where you would read it over and over again... to the point you would stress over it XD...