Anna May divides her days between going to school and working with her family in their Los Angeles laundry in Chinatown. Whenever she is able to save pennies from tips delivering laundry, she escapes to the movies and dreams of being a heroine who gets rescued at the last moment.
But real life for Anna May is different than the movies. Her Asian heritage has made her a target for bullies at school. Her father tells her to be proud of being Chinese, no matter what foolish bullies say. When she happens across a movie being shot in the streets on her way to school one day, she happily skips classes to learn all she can about her beloved movies. When her parents find out how she has spent her schooldays several weeks later, they punish her and do not allow her to skip school anymore, but she still holds onto her dreams of being a movie star.
When she grows up, Anna May begins to get small parts in movies. Although he doesn't like her career choice, her father still supports her by taking her to auditions. Anna May is concerned by the prejudice she encounters in the stereotypical characters she plays. Will there come a time when she can be proud of the parts that she receives? Will she earn the respect of her audiences as well as that of her own people?
While delicate illustrations by portrait artist Lin Wang communicate the depth of Anna May's feelings for her family, her heritage, and her career, this story by Paula Yoo inspires the reader to fulfill the dreams that pull at the heart and take a stand against racial prejudices. An uplifting choice for budding actors and actresses, you can find Shining Star: the Anna May Wong Story and more books by Paula Yoo at the local Batavia, Bartlett, Poplar Creek, Schaumburg, and Gail Borden public libraries.
Publisher: Lee & Low Books Inc.
ISBN: 978-1-60060-259-7
Source of review copy: Gail Borden Public Library
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