Shanghai Messenger

Andrea Cheng
Lee and Low Books Inc. 2005
Grade Level: 4th grade
Lexile: Not Available
Suggested Delivery: Independent
Winner of the 2005 Junior Library Guild Selection, Original Art Show Society of Illustrators, CALA Book Award Chinese American Librarians Association

                                               tradition, travels, heritage, family, culture

Eleven year old Xiao Mei is about to take the trip of a lifetime. She is on her way to Shanghai to visit her family. While Xiao Mei is excited, the anticipation of whether she will be accepted by her family is making her quite apprehensive about her trip. Will they embrace her even though she is only half Chinese? Or will these cultural differences keep her from enjoying this journey.

Teaching Strategies:

Key Vocabulary:
Wonton
Moped
Accordian
Bok Choy
Shang Hai
Nai Nai

Before Teaching Strategy:

During Teaching Strategy: Have the students complete a venn diagram while reading the book. On one side list how Xiao Mei's American culture is different, on the other side list how her Chinese families culture differs, in the middle document how they are similar.

After Teaching Strategy: Using the Venn Diagram completed during the reading, compare and contrast Xiao Mei's American culture to the culture of her family in China. What are some major differences between the two? what does she notice are similar? Have the students pair up and discuss.

Writing Activity: Xiao Mei is apprehensive to go to China because she feels as if she won't fit in, but goes because her Nai Nai wants her to be her messenger. Write a letter to Nai Nai about your trip. Make sure to include details from the text, especially about the turning point when Xiao Mei starts to feel at home in Shanghai.

book talk with illustrator Ed Young

Home page for author Andrea Cheng