Apple Pie Fourth of July by Janet Wong

a. Bibliographic data
Wong, Janet. 2002. APPLE PIE FOURTH OF JULY. Ill. by Margaret Chodos-Irvine. Orlando: Harcourt. ISBN 0152057080

b. Brief plot summary
A young Chinese-American girl spends the Fourth of July inside her parents’ store wondering why they are cooking traditional Chinese food on an American holiday. As the day wears on, customers start to trickle in for chow mein and sweet and sour pork and the girl comes to realize that both cultures have mixed together to create her own Fourth of July tradition.

c. Critical analysis
Apple Pie 4th of July tells the story of a Chinese-American girl who helps her parents in their grocery store while others in the community attend Fourth of July celebrations. This story is light-hearted and will entertain audiences of all ages. Children will identify with the girl as she goes through many emotions throughout the day. Adults can appreciate the child-like innocence and naivety of a young girl who is learning about what is means to be part of family traditions.

Wong is able to blend characteristics of both the Chinese and American cultures into this simple, yet entertaining story. While the Fourth of July celebration is viewed as American- parades, fireworks and apple pie, the Chinese culture is represented through food- chow mein, sweet and sour pork and eggrolls. Because the family is part of the two cultures, they blend pieces of each into their own holiday tradition.

While the little girl is adamant that “no one wants Chinese food on the Fourth of July” she is respectful and continues to help her parents. The level of respect for family and elders shows a cultural connection to the traditions of the Chinese.

Many of the cultural markers are created through the illustrations of Margaret Chodos-Irvine. The physical depictions of the girl and her family, illustrated using printmaking techniques on colored paper, are the only strong indication that the family is Chinese-American. The illustrations also bring life to the setting, the family grocery store, where traces of both the Chinese (take out box designs, foods, fortune cookies) and American (clothing, store goods, apple pie) cultures are present.

d. Reviews/Awards
• From Publisher’s Weekly: “The well-paced text heavily freighted at the beginning and swift by the end reflects the girl's changing emotions and moods. The art resembles cut-paper collage. Chodos-Irvine deploys sharply defined objects in a range of colors and patterns to construct harmonious, forthright compositions that will likely prove inviting to readers of many backgrounds.”
• From SLJ: “This simply told story explores a child's fears about cultural differences and fitting in with understanding and affection. A Chinese-American girl helps her parents open their small neighborhood grocery store every day of the year. However, today is the Fourth of July and her parents just don't understand that customers won't be ordering chow mein and sweet-and-sour pork on this very American holiday. Done in a "variety of printmaking techniques," Chodos-Irvine's illustrations are cheerfully bright and crisp, capturing the spirit of the day as well as the changing emotions of the main character.”

e. Connections
• Teachers can use this book to discuss differences in holiday traditions and celebrations
• Young readers may enjoy one of the other works by Janet Wong, including:
o Dumpster Diver
o Buzz
o Alex and the Wednesday Chess Club
o Minn and Jake