Yang the Third and Her Impossible Family

by Lensey Namioka

Book Overview

Yingmei Yang has changed her name to Mary now that she is learning to be American, but it's hard since her family sticks to their Chinese customs. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0440412315
• ISBN13: 9780440412311
• Release Date: July 1996
• Publisher: Yearling Books
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.4" x 7.6"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

Learning about others

The experiences of this Chinese family in coming to America and learning about American ways and sayings, as well as their new American friends learning about Chinese ways and sayings provides for some laugh out loud moments, and some sweet tender moments. Lensey Namioka has perfected her writing style to bring out these human dilemnas and challenges in a well-paced, entertaining and kid friendly way. And, it is a great way for Chinese and non-Chinese kids to learn about each others' culture! Loved it!

A Great Book

Yang The Third And Her Impossible Family is the best book about people from China I ever read. The girl's name is Mary. In the beginning, at the Thanksgiving dinner, lots of problems come up. Mary gets a cat from Holly, and she has to keep it in the basement because in China you are not supposed to have cats or dogs.

Comical !!

From the very beginning of this book,I found it very comical.I felt that my stomach will burst with laughter if I laughed once more.There are many jokes in this book.You will scream with laughter everytime you come upon a joke.This book is about a girl,Yingmei Yang who tries to mix around with the American people and tries to be like them.To do this,she takes down words into her notebook.When she tries to befriend Holly and her gang,Yingmei's mother accidently offended Holly's mother on several occasions.Like for instanceChinese people always ask how old someone is but in America it is rude to ask people their age.This is a very good book.Nearly every page there is something to laugh about.

This is a very, very good book and you will enjoy it.

I think that this book would be very good for someone who moves from another country to the United States. It shows that just because your customs are different that doesn't mean you can't be respected by other people. I thought it was a funny book because while Yingmei Yang was trying to be friends with Holly, Yingmei's mother kept accidentally insulting Holly's mother Mrs. Hanson. In China it it a compliment to be called old and fat. When Yingmei's mother called Mrs. Hanson old and fat she was very insulted and Yingmei was very embarrased of her mother.