Two classmates compete to collect the most newspapers for the paper drive for war efforts at their school. Her classmate states how she could not win because a true American would be the winner and he continues to steal papers from her. She went up far to a nice big house and the guy cleaning gave her all the papers in his garage and she brought all of them by police cars, they could not even fit all in her wagon. Although her Chinese background she was born in America and was determined to win to prove she was like all other Americans. Once her granddaddy saw this was the reason for her being out late he gave her his flag pins and was very proud. This book informs us of war efforts and how even children could help during wars. ( )

For the war effort, Nim’s class has a contest to see who can collect the most newspapers in San Francisco in 1943 during the middle of World War II. Her family is helping her out to collect the most papers. One morning when going to pick up her aunt’s papers she realizes they are not there and sets about to find others. She runs into Garland Stephenson who obviously took her papers because his load is filled to the brim of the wagon. Garland says he should win the contest because he is more American than her. At this time, Nim must go to Chinese school which her grandfather greatly encourages. On the way, she finds a stack of papers big enough to win. The only problem is she cannot carry them all and still be on time for Chinese school. Nim then calls the police to ask for help carrying the newspapers. The police then take Nim to grandfather’s house where he not please. He eventually comes around when he learns about Nim’s true intentions. This was a very good book to read. I really enjoyed the story and how it portrayed Chinese-Americans who were seen as Japanese in the eyes of Americans. Seeing that there were people who despite those views still loved their country enough to fight for the cause was a very good story. I used this book for my assignment during the multiculturalism module earlier in the year. This is the book I chose for multiculturalism reading. This is a good book for multiculturalism as it depicts Chinese-Americans and the strong effort they gave to the American cause.

A lengthy picturebook. A good story with a bit of a lesson. Imparts a bit of history and culture. A good discussion book for middle elementary grades. A family dinner, a stern but caring grandfather, a class competion, a spill, a surpise donation and a unual request all add up to create a warm spirited book that paints a tiny slice of mid 20th century American life. Almost Rockwellian. But a true to life imigrant experience.. ( )

book shows live for Asians during WWII, could be used to teach about Chinese cultures. Who did the war affect? how and why ? small groups then discuss ( )

Nim and her Chinese family are living during the world war. There is a newspaper drive at Nim’s school to help with the war effort. A boy, that is white, has stolen Nim’s newspapers and tells her that she can’t win. Nim goes to Nob Hill to get newspapers; a man has a garage full of them. Nim gets help from the police to take them to the school.

The war was a turbulent time; this book gives children an insight as to what it might have been like to live during the war. I like this book because it reminded me that children can make a difference in the world.

I would have a discussion with the student’s about war, and what they think it might be like. I would have the students come up with some way they think they could help with a war effort, if we were in war. I would then have the student’s get into groups and make a poster advertising their drive.