By Jenny Han
Illustrated by Julia Kuo
Published by Little Brown Kids
Released on
Source- book to review from publisher
4 stars
Clara Lee likes her best friends, her grandpa, kimchi, candy necklaces (her signature look!), and the idea of winning the Little Miss Apple Pie contest.
Clara Lee doesn't like her mom's fish soup, bad dreams (but Grandpa says they mean good luck!), speaking in public, or when her little sister is being annoying.
One day, after a bad dream, Clara Lee is thrilled to have a whole day of luck (Like!). But then, bad luck starts to follow (Dislike!). When will Clara Lee's luck change again? Will it change in time for the Little Miss Apple Pie contest? (quoted from Goodreads).
Clara Lee is a fun, cute, book with wonderful illustrations and a fantastic message about being proud of who you are. Clara Lee lives with her parents, younger sister and Grandpa. She has a great imagination, a best friend and dreams of being the Apple Pie Princess. Like many kids her age, Clara learns how to enjoy the good days she has, and how to hold your head high during the bad days, when kids make fun of you, when you fight with a friend and get in trouble at home. Luckily for Clara she has wonderful parents and a Grandpa who help her make better choices and most importantly who give her the encouragement she needs to fulfill her dreams.
The most important message in Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dream is when Clara finally gets the confidence to enter the Apple Pie Dream. A mean girl tells her she's not American as Apple Pie, and that really effects her. From her family she learns that though her family heritage is Korean, she is as American as Apple Pie, she's both American and Korean, and she should be proud of that. I loved the way in which diversity played a part in this story, as many kids will be able to relate to Clara Lee. I liked learning a little bit more about the Korean culture through Clara Lee. This is a wonderful story that kids in 2nd-4th grade will enjoy. It's also one fans of Judy Moody, Junie B Jones, and Clementine may like.
