Characters
This young girl moves from China to Brooklyn and changes her name to Shirley Temple Wong.
Who is Shirley?
This month marks the beginning of Shirley’s adventure as she arrives in America.
What is January?
This theme is shown as Shirley works to belong in Brooklyn while keeping her Chinese traditions.
What is identity?
Shirley spends most of the story in this New York borough.
What is Brooklyn?
For Shirley, this sport becomes a bridge between her Chinese past and American future.
What is baseball?
This boy becomes one of Shirley’s first classmates and one of the first to bully her.
Who is Midge “the Barbarian”?
Shirley struggles in school mostly because she is still learning this.
What is English?
Shirley’s admiration for Jackie Robinson highlights this theme about facing difficulties with courage.
What is perseverance?
Before coming to the United States, Shirley lived in this country.
What is China?
Jackie Robinson symbolizes this quality that Shirley wants to develop.
What is bravery/courage?
Shirley admires this baseball legend who helps her feel more American.
Who is Jackie Robinson?
Shirley gains confidence when she joins this classroom activity.
What is the class baseball team/game?
Shirley’s experience with classmates shows the challenges and rewards of this social process.
What is making friends?
A major symbol of Shirley’s new life is this team’s stadium she dreams of visiting.
What is Ebbets Field?
Shirley’s English name change symbolizes this difficult process.
What is fitting in / becoming American?
This woman sponsors Shirley’s family and helps them settle in America.
Who is Señora Rodriguez?
This holiday helps Shirley begin to feel connected to both her American and Chinese identities.
What is the Chinese New Year?
Shirley’s struggle between two cultures reflects this theme common in immigrant stories.
What is cultural assimilation?
Shirley’s apartment building is filled with families from many countries, reflecting this social idea.
What is diversity?
Letters from home help Shirley stay connected to this part of her identity.
What is her Chinese heritage?
Shirley’s father came to America first and worked in this type of job.
What is a factory job?
Shirley becomes popular after she performs in this school event.
What is the talent show?
Through her family’s move and sacrifices, this theme about seeking better opportunities emerges.
What is the American Dream?
This decade, famous for baseball legends like Jackie Robinson, is when the novel is set.
What is the 1940s?
The “Year of the Boar” symbolizes Shirley’s journey, as the Boar represents this character trait.
What is honesty or determination?