The Gold-Threaded Dress by Carolyn Marsden

This is a story about a 4th grade girl, Oy, from Thailand. She wants to be in the group of popular girls so badly that she brings her special dress from Thailand for them to try on after they tell her that is the only way she can be in the club. The girls end up tearing it, and then get in trouble with the principal for changing clothes on the playground.

Oy learns a lot about her culture and her parents. She expected them to be mad and not understand the hard times she was having at school. Instead, she realized her mother knows how hard it is to fit in as well.

There’s a cute little twist in the book at the end. Frankie had been bullying her throughout the book, calling her Chinese. In the end, he apologizes and tells her he is in fact a quarter Chinese. Oy has finally found her friend.

This is a cute book with several great lessons in it. However, there was some stuff about Buddah and their religion, so just be careful with that.

I recommend this book.

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