Happy New Year, Julie (American Girl Collection Series: Julie) by Megan McDonald, Robert Hunt (Illustrator), Susan McAliley (Illustrator)

Product Details

Synopsis

Julie knows the holidays will be difficult this year, but when her sister, Tracy, refuses to go to Dad’s house for Christmas, Julie feels as if her family is falling apart. She finds comfort spending time with her best friend, Ivy Ling, whose family is getting ready for Chinese New Year. When Julie’s whole family is invited to the Lings’ New Year banquet, Julie worries about how they will get along. That night, she discovers that they all have a chance at a new beginning. The "Looking Back" section explores Chinese New Year traditions.

This book is the third in a series of six historical books filled with inspiring lessons of compassion, courage, and friendship. Julie’s entire book set includes: Meet Julie; Julie Tells Her Story; Happy New Year, Julie; Julie and the Eagles; Julie’s Journey; and Changes for Julie.

Children's Literature

Part of the "American Girl" series, this edition tells the story of Julie, a San Francisco girl in the 1970's. Since Julie's friend, Ivy, is of Asian descent, readers will learn about aspects of Ivy's culture, such as foods, games, and calligraphy. The two girls share joys, fears—including getting lost together in Chinatown—and a strong friendship, but all is not rosy in Julie's life. Her parents are recently divorced, so Julie and her fifteen-year-old sister, Tracy, are adjusting to shuttling between their parents and celebrating two Christmases, neither of which is anything like the Christmases they remember. Adding to Julie's stress is the fact that Tracy is not adjusting well, focusing her anger on Dad, making Julie feel even more conflicted. When her entire family is invited to join Ivy's for Chinese New Year celebrations, Julie worries how her parents will handle the situation and if Tracy will even speak to Dad. In the end, Julie realizes that Chinese New Year is a new beginning and that, perhaps, her family can enjoy a new beginning on a new, albeit different, path. The story offers a gentle but direct approach to real family tension, showing desirable behavior from both Julie and her parents. As always, the historical notes at the end provide some interesting facts for readers about what life was like during the time in which the story is set, as well as further information about Chinese New Year celebrations.

Biography

Megan McDonald is the author of the award-winning Judy Moody series and its companion series starring Stink. She is also the author of ANT AND HONEY BEE, illustrated by Brian Karas. "I used to live near my sister in Minnesota, where it’s very snowy," she says. "My sister had a mailman whose name was . . . Jack Frost. For real! I never forgot because I thought it was so funny and so magical." Megan McDonald now lives in Sebastopol, California.