Project Mulberry - by Linda Sue Park (Paperback)

About the Book

Julia Song and her friend Patrick would love to win a blue ribbon, maybe even two, at the state fair. This time, though, they're having trouble coming up with just the right plan. Then Julia's mother offers a suggestion: They can raise silkworms, as she did when she was a girl in Korea. Patrick thinks it's a great idea. But for Julia, a simple summer project turns out to be much more complicated than she thought.

Book Synopsis

In this contemporary novel, Newbery Medalist Linda Sue Park delivers a funny, lively story that illuminates both the process of writing a novel and the meaning of growing up American.

"A rich work that treats serious issues with warmth, respect, and a good deal of humor" (Kirkus starred review). Perfect for both independent reading and classroom sharing.

Julia Song and her friend Patrick would love to win a blue ribbon, maybe even two, at the state fair. They've always done projects together, and they work well as a team. This time, though, they're having trouble coming up with just the right project. Then Julia's mother offers a suggestion: They can raise silkworms, as she did when she was a girl in Korea.

Patrick thinks it's a great idea. Of course there are obstacles--for example, where will they get mulberry leaves, the only thing silkworms eat?--but nothing they can't handle.

Julia isn't so sure. The club where kids do their projects is all about traditional American stuff, and raising silkworms just doesn't fit in. Moreover, the author, Ms. Park, seems determined to make Julia's life as complicated as possible, no matter how hard Julia tries to talk her out of it.

Review Quotes

"Compelling characters and their passionate differences...drive the plot...unforgettable family and friendship story...a great cross-curriculum title." BOOKLIST, starred Booklist, ALA, Starred Review

"Park creates a Korean-American seventh-grader so lifelike she jumps off the page....introduces many issues relevant to budding adolescents." PW Publishers Weekly

"A rich work that treats serious issues with warmth, respect, and a good deal of humor." KIRKUS REVIEWS, starred Kirkus Reviews, Starred

"This skillfully written tale will have wide appeal." SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, starred School Library Journal, Starred

"Park has a sensitive ear for the nuances of self-doubt and burgeoning self-awareness that permeate junior-high experience." THE BULLETIN Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Julia is a vivacious character...provide[s] interesting glimpses into how fiction is written." HORN BOOK Horn Book --

About the Author

Linda Sue Park is the author of the Newbery Medal book A Single Shard and bestseller A Long Walk to Water. She has written several acclaimed picture book texts. She lives in Rochester, New York, with her family. For more information visit www.lspark.com.