  | Rock in my throat Author: Yang, Kao Kalia | |
| Price: $23.78 | ||
Summary:
In this moving true story, Kao Kalia Yang shares her experiences as a Hmong refugee child navigating life at home and school in America while carrying the weight of her selective mutism.
| Illustrator: | Lin, Jiemei |
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: LG Reading Level: 3.80 Points: .5 Quiz: 552697 |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (02/01/24)
School Library Journal (06/28/24)
Booklist (+) (02/15/24)
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (00/03/24)
The Hornbook (00/03/24)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 06/28/2024 Gr 2–4—Kalia is struggling to learn to speak English and when she sees people being impatient with her mother's similar struggle, the child decides that she won't speak either. Her parents want to know why she chooses not to speak, but she can't verbalize why, even in her home language of Hmong. Her mother says to her in the Hmong, "I don't know why you don't speak at school"; the translation is only found at the end of the book. The muted palette and graphic nature of the artwork give a feeling of separation and loneliness to Kalia's dilemma. The Hmong embroidery on the endpapers adds to a celebration of culture in a lovely lesson on communicating and finding one's voice. VERDICT This beautifully illustrated picture book fills a need in any collection on immigrant experiences.—Debbie Tanner - Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
School Library Journal - 06/28/2024 Gr 2–4—Kalia is struggling to learn to speak English and when she sees people being impatient with her mother's similar struggle, the child decides that she won't speak either. Her parents want to know why she chooses not to speak, but she can't verbalize why, even in her home language of Hmong. Her mother says to her in the Hmong, "I don't know why you don't speak at school"; the translation is only found at the end of the book. The muted palette and graphic nature of the artwork give a feeling of separation and loneliness to Kalia's dilemma. The Hmong embroidery on the endpapers adds to a celebration of culture in a lovely lesson on communicating and finding one's voice. VERDICT This beautifully illustrated picture book fills a need in any collection on immigrant experiences.—Debbie Tanner - Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
Booklist - 02/15/2024 *Starred Review* Affecting illustrations and moving writing tell the true story of author Yang’s experience with selective mutism that began when she was a young child. As a Hmong refugee, Kalia immigrated to the U.S. with her family when she was six. At home, they comfortably speak their native language; in public, Kalia observes her mom receiving demeaning treatment and impatience from others as she struggles to communicate in English. Kalia turns inward, feeling like she has a rock growing in her throat. She stops speaking at school, which no one notices at first. Confusion and misunderstanding eventually develop among her teachers and classmates. At the time, Kalia’s family did not understand why she would not speak at school, and Kalia did not know either. Now, at age 43, in her author’s note, Kalia reflects back and poignantly shares insight into her “revolution against [the] world,” providing a powerful window into her lived experience. Digital painting using muted colors captures the somber tone of the story. Expressive facial features, use of scale, and sparse details evoke Kalia’s feelings of loneliness and despair. A heartfelt story that teaches children about diversity and reflects difficulties with being different, understood, and accepted. - Copyright 2024 Booklist.
