[LM_NET] GEN: Adoption Prejudice in Children's Book

[Kristin Dardano <kdardano@NHART.ORG>]

Hello wise ones,

I have a dilemma with a new book I ordered.  I just purchased the book The Jade 
Dragon, by  Carolyn Marsden. It is a well written and reviewed chapter book for 3rd 
- 4th graders about a Chinese American 2nd Grader, Ginny,  being raised in the 
1980's by her immigrant parents.  As she struggles to define herself between her 
parents' traditional values and her classmates' more modern ones, a new Chinese 
student, Stephanie, arrives in her class.  Ginny is initially excited to have a 
Chinese friend, until she discovers that Stephanie was adopted by a Caucasian 
family and is ultra American. Although the relationship starts off Rocky, the girls 
eventually become friends.

The problem that I have with the book is that Ginny's mother actually says on one 
occasion (and implies it in a few others)  that Ginny is far luckier then Stephanie 
because Ginny has her "real parents!" Not her birth parents - her "real parents."  
I was appalled when I first read the words and then thought that this would be 
addressed or resolved by the end with Ginny's mother realizing that families come 
in all forms - but it wasn't!  

 I should note that I purchased the book because my district has a high number of 
internationally adopted children, including my son.

I honestly don't know what to do with the book.  I think if the book targeted a 
more mature group of readers, they may be able to handle Ginny's mother's prejudice 
better, but it doesn't.   What do you all think I should do with the book?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Kristin

Kristin M. Dardano
Library Media Specialist
E. R. Hughes Elementary School
New Hartford Central School District
(315) 797-3686
kdardano@nhart.org

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