The Favorite Daughter

by Allen Say (Author)

The Favorite Daughter
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade
Yuriko hates her name when the children make fun of it and call her Eureka! Though she is half Japanese, the teasing makes her want to hide, to retreat even from the art projects she used to love. Fortunately she has a patient, kind father who finds gentle ways of drawing her out and reminding Yuriko of the traditions they share that have always brought her joy: walks in lovely Golden Gate Park, lunch at their favorite sushi restaurant, watching the fog blow in off the bay. It's enough... it's more than enough to face down her challenges with confidence.

From the incomparable Allen Say comes another moving story taken from his personal experience and translated to the universal. This tale, dedicated with love to Say's daughter, is one for all parents who want their children to feel pride in their heritage, and to know their own greatest sources of strength and inspiration.

The Favorite Daughter will be a favorite for years to come.



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Publishers Weekly

Yuriko's classroom is an uncomfortable place to be a biracial child. "The new art teacher called me 'Eureka, ' " Yuriko tells her father. "I want an American name, Daddy." Fortunately, Yuriko's father adores her--hence the book's title, Say's nickname for his only child. His ability to mediate between Japanese culture and American reality helps turn a frustrating class art assignment into triumph; Yuriko uses a collection of chopsticks and some fluffy cotton to construct a replica of the Golden Gate bridge blanketed in fog. Caldecott-winner Say's (Grandfather's Journey) meticulous draftsmanship and openhearted honesty make this a memorable piece of autobiography. Family photographs of Yuriko dressed in Japanese kimono add to the story's intimacy; she's pictured first as a toddler, and then, on the last page, as a young woman, a bit self-conscious in her finery. As a bonus, Say offers an affirming portrait of a divorced father savoring every minute of his shared custody, and of an artist coaching his child through cookie-cutter art assignments: "They're fun if you think of them as puzzles," he tells her. Ages 4-8. (June)

Copyright 2013 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

School Library Journal

K-Gr 2—Whereas Drawing from Memory (Scholastic, 2011) revealed a slice of Say's youth, this title is seen through the lens of fatherhood, although the narrator is omniscient. As the story opens, "Yuriko came to stay with her father on Thursday that week." Readers follow the flaxen-haired child through homework assignments that involve bringing a baby picture to school and, later, creating a model of the Golden Gate Bridge. A photograph of Yuriko clad in a red, flowered kimono becomes a source of confusion for her classmates, who associate Japanese appearance with dark hair. When the art teacher mispronounces her name, and the students follow suit, her day goes from bad to worse; miserable, she seeks a new identity upon arriving home. Father and daughter visit a familiar sushi restaurant, Golden Gate Park, and the bridge (shrouded in fog), all of which help the troubled girl process her feelings and inspire a unique response to the art project. Their banter pits paternal teasing mixed with loving support against childlike swings between melodrama and earnestness. Say's command of watercolor, ink, and pencil develops the visual narrative through a combination of uncluttered interiors; peaceful, restorative gardens; and emotionally complex portraits. The concluding photograph of Yuriko as a young woman in Japan (also wearing a kimono) conveys an acceptance and pride regarding her heritage and adds impact to the message. A sensitive addition to the canon of picture books about children coming to terms with being "different."—Wendy Lukehart, District of Columbia Public Library

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

Praise for Drawing From Memory

"Aesthetically superb; this will fascinate comics readers and budding artists while creating new Say fans." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Illustrations are richly detailed and infused with warmth.... Readers of all ages will be inspired by the young Say's drive and determination." — School Library Journal, starred review

"As the story of a young artist's coming of age, Say's account is complex, poignant, and unfailingly honest. Say's fans—and those who also feel the pull of the artist's life—will be captivated." — Publishers Weekly

"Approached from almost any angle, this book is a treasure." — Washington Post



Allen Say
Allen Say was born in Yokohama, Japan, and came to the United States when he was sixteen. His many treasured books for children include Tree of Cranes, Allison, and the Caldecott Honor-winning The Boy of the Three-Year Nap by Dianne Snyder. He lives in Portland, Oregon. Visit his website at www.hmhbooks.com/authors/allensay.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780545176620
Lexile Measure
510
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Arthur A. Levine Books
Publication date
May 28, 2013
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV013060 - Juvenile Fiction | Family | Parents
JUV039140 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance
JUV011020 - Juvenile Fiction | People & Places | United States - Asian American
Library of Congress categories
Artists
Fathers and daughters
Schools
Japanese Americans
San Francisco (Calif.)
Teasing
Oregon Book Awards
Finalist 2014 - 2014
Capitol Choices: Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens
Recommended 2014 - 2014
Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award
Nominee 2015 - 2016
Volunteer State Book Awards
Nominee 2015 - 2016

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