Face in My Mirror

by Maureen Crane Wartski

As an infant, Mai was adoped straight off a boat from Hong Kong by Leo and Vivian Houston in Serena, Iowa. Now, at fifteen, a painful racial incident spurs her to find out more about her Vietnamese... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0449704432
• ISBN13: 9780449704431
• Release Date: October 1994
• Publisher: Fawcett Books
• Length: 186 Pages
• Weight: 0.24 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 4.3" x 7.0"
• Age Range: 12 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 7 to 12

Customer Reviews

I am....

This book has to do alot about discovering family, and mainly about one's self. The character in the book named Mai, strugged with these problems. Being half white, and half asian, as well adopted at birth, these things reflected her everyday. Though she knew she was different from her adopted family, the realization never really surfaced, untill a few racial events occured. Dumbstruck, and befounded, she yerns to know more about her family roots. She later on discovers she had an aunt Lien, living in Boston. Not knowing weather she'd be accepted, though wanted answers to her questions, she spends the summer in Boston with her biological family. During this overwheming quest, Mai slowy discovers and unveals the secrets of her past. She learns about all the hardships the family had to make. The amount of things they had to face in order to survive, as well staying strong as a famliy. Mai's visit may have brought back many painful memories, but it brought out alot from people. As well made the meaning of family, more important that you would think.Overall, I guess what the meaning behind this book is, is that it's important to know who you are, and that family is what bonds all of us together. It's like a spiderweb. Friends, memories, even bickering is what keeps it strong, and that, therefore connects the web together, making it whole.

Book Talk

I found this story to be pretty unique because it is written about a Vietnamese American teenager who is adopted by a Caucasian American family. She deals with racism in the small town that she lives in, majority of which who are Caucasian. From her feelings of not belonging, she goes on a journey to learn more about her Vietnamese roots. Throughout the book, the main character, Mai, is trying to learn about her past involving the mother she never knew. The book is written in a simple and personal way to where you feel close to the characters. With the author's simplistic style of writing, I believe that many young people can easily understand and get enjoyment out of it. I like the way that the author slowly revealed the secrets of Mai's past because it made me want to keep reading to find out the whole story. Other than learning the secrets of Mai's past, there are other stories in the book that are occurring at the same time which enhance the book.

The Face in My Mirror is a realistic tale

I really enjoyed the book The Face in My Mirror by Maureen Wartski because it is a realistic tale about an adopted Vietnamese-American teenager, Mai Houston, searching for her roots. She begins her quest after a racially-motivated incident against her in her small Iowa town. While she spends her summer with her aunt, Lien, and cousins in Boston, Mai at first doesn't really feel welcome, especially by Lien, who seems to be very cold to her. During this time, Mai learns secrets about members about her family and falls in love. The book is well-written and moves quickly and the revelations of secrets will keep the reader interested. The book also contains realistic depictions of racism and its effects, family relationships, teenage life, the plight of immigrants and the influence of gangs. I recommend the book for young students starting in the sixth grade.