SUMMARY
Join Janet Wong
in her moving collection of poetry that describes her life growing up as a
young Asian American girl in California. You will meet her grandparents, her
parents, teachers and school peers who evoked Ms. Wong’s thoughtful
observations that she releases into her poems. The moods of the poems are as
varied as the moods of people in day-to-day life. They bring out laughter,
sorrow, anger, and shame. Altogether, they reveal the inner thoughts of a young
girl who sees the world and people around her as she tries to find her place in
both her family and society.
ANALYSIS
In Good Luck Gold and Other Poems, Janet S.
Wong describes the experiences she shared with her family, friends, and
not-so-friendly people as an Asian American child growing up in California. The young
Janet looks for her own unique self in America where
multiculturalism is the norm, yet prejudice still stains the societal fabric.
The
versatility of themes in this poem creates a book that can appeal to all
children of any ethnic heritage. Although Wong focuses on the Asian American
point-of-view, her poetry reaches truths that extend beyond ethnic barriers
straight into the essence of the human soul.
In her poem
“Bombs Bursting in Air,” Wong’s use of imagery in her poem places the reader in
the stands with the young Janet as she listens with pride while an Asian American
sings the national anthem. Unfortunately,
the peanut-eating, shell spitting fans in front of her are “big rowdy guys / downing beers…spit / “Jap!” / and
laughed / all the way through…” Regardless,
Janet feels pride as she listens to the singer who drowns out their voices with
his strong voice. At the song’s ending he waves to her in the stands. “I wave
back, / hot dog in hand, / relish spilling out, / proud / until I heard / ’Bet
that’s all / the American he knows,’ / and felt a shell land on my arm.” The
reader can hear the anthem, hear the crude comments, see the relish fall, and
feel the sting of the peanut shell on her arm. Just as a bomb shell can destroy
a beautiful landscape, the obscenities she hears destroy her joyous moment
listing to her nation’s national anthem.
Not all
poems carry such a heavy theme. Lighthearted poems balance the book, just like
happy moments balance life. She writes about her grandfather and his
explanation about the power of jade for old people: “Old people bone / very
crispy. / Break so easy. /…/Good piece jade / protect you someday. / Fall down,
/ jade broken. You okay. /" Through the words of the poem, the reader feels the warmth and kindness of the
elder person as he talks to his granddaughter.
AWARDS/REVIEWS
George G. Stone Center for Children’s Books Recognition
of Merit Award, 1998 Winner (United States)
“The collection of poems…captures loving
and poignant recollections of family members, and tells of moments where
American, Chinese, and Korean cultures meet or clash.” – Horn Book, March 1995
“…poems in this collection give readers
insight into the experiences of Chinese-American children.” – School Library
Journal, January 1995.
CONNECTIONS
Visit
Janet S. Wong’s website – You will be able to listen to her read her poems at
this site and learn more about Ms.Wong
The poem “Speak Up” would be fun to read with two readers. Have students take turns reading the different roles.
The poem “Noodles” is a fun poem about a main food eaten in Asian cultures. Brainstorm with the students about foods from various cultures and then try to write their own poems featuring a favorite food.
Books by Janet S. Wong –
The
Rainbow Hand: Poems about Mothers and Children
Behind
the Wheel: Poems about Driving
A
Suitcase of Seaweed and other Poems (Claremont Stone Center Recognition of
Merit Award)
Listen to Janet Wong as she talks about
her relationship with her grandfather and then reads a poem where he is the
speaker called “GongGong and Susie.” (Note – the poem is in A Suitcase of Seaweed and Other Poems.
PERSONAL
RESPONSE
One of my favorite poems in this book is “Noise.” I like it
because I know that the theme of this poem can apply to anyone who others
discriminate against for being “different.” As a middle school
teacher, I see this type of behavior often. Students who do not act right, look
right, speak right, or do whatever is required to be part of the norm become
separated from the crowd. “Noise” teaches them to be strong – to not
let it in, to not let them win. Yes, I see the young girl is struggling to be
strong, but she is strong – and that is the message I like about this poem. Her strength is also revealed in the poem, "Waiting at the Railroad Cafe." That would be a great poem to read during Black History Month. What Janet and her father experience in the cafe applies to so many minorities who were treated horribly, and it shows that the idea of Prejudice is actually - and ironically - very inclusive.
Good
Luck Gold and Other Poems. Cover
illustration. Internet on-line.
Retrieved November 10, 2013 from http://www.flr.follett.com/search?SID=ebe7e91e39d0302a0506ca49da053314
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