Prairie Lotus: a Chinese-American perspective

 Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park is a historical fiction novel perfect for 3rd graders and up.  

This story is told through the 14 year-old character, Hannah.  She has been traveling on a wagon with her father for the last three years, after her mother's death.  They are on the emerging trails from California, moving eastward towards the Dakota Territory.  The white townsfolk are prejudice towards Hannah because she is half-Chinese and half-white.  Although she has never been to school, Hannah excels in her studies and makes a few friends.  Despite her success in school, she is unsure of her future in such a racist community.  Thankfully, her talents for sewing and dress-making offer a hopeful venture that will allow her to be an independent and respected person in the community.  Will the townspeople get over their suspicions and accept Hannah and her father?  

Park explores many topics that are important for the discussion of U.S. History:  immigration, the treatment of Indigenous people, racism, settling into towns, early education, gender roles, and a different view of "Westward Expansion" than is presented in textbooks and other children's stories.  As a teacher and librarian, this book is ideal for exploring how Indigenous people were treated, along with immigrants.  Women's gender roles are also a good topic that are shown in this story.  In what ways does Hannah fulfill her duties and how does she challenge what society dictates as her place in the world?

Here is an audiobook sample to listen to and share with readers.