"Exclusion and the Chinese American Story" is a great introduction to young readers about Chinese-American history. I would say this book is appropriate for 4th grade an up. Author Sarah-SoonLing Blackburn shares both individual stories and the general patterns in history over time, engaging the reader on both a micro and macro level.
This book and others in the Race to the Truth collection are great additions to the classroom library.

I don't often give bad reviews but this is going to be one. This book had the potential to be so good. It is filled with history that isn't well known and there is the possibility to use facts to teach and broaden horizons. Instead, it is written so informally using words like "most of" and "would have". I love history and when I think of well-written history books I think of Freedom Walkers or Killers of the Flower Moon. After I finish reading this book I don't get the feel this is to educate or bridge any gaps, I feel it is only to insight racism. It falls short in educating to increase knowledge and more on hate. It makes me sad because this book could have done a wonderful job of telling stories that have been buried in history. It just isn't well done find a style of writing and stick to it don't try and be formal and then turn it into a written narrative about why you hate the masses.

An interesting look at the racism against the Chinese [from the moment they stepped foot in America] along with other marginalized peoples. Filled with stories and antidotes that will inspire conversation, this book will introduce those [kids and adults alike] to what it was like for those who first came here and what it continues to be like for those communities. At the end of every chapter are questions that will help the reader dive deeper into what they just read and the notes at the end will direct them to even more resources to teach them about the abhorrent practice of judging [and treating horrifically] people simply by the color of their skin or by how they wear their hair, or how they speak.

While there may be better books out there about this very thing, this is a very good jumping off point [though it does get bogged down at times - I would suggest a chapter a day/night and then plenty of discussion about said chapter] and will lead to bigger and deeper conversations and learning.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sarah-SoonLing Blackburn, and Random House Children's/Crown Books for Young Readers for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What is the story of Chinese American history told from a Chinese American perspective? In an effort to expand the narrative beyond exclusion, railroad work and the model minority myth, the author brings in lesser-known stories and writes the book she wishes she had when growing up. Central to the mission is a focus on solidarity among historically marginalized people. While the colloquial tone and multiplicity of examples advance the agenda, some poor scholarship, a lack of focus, and and what comes across as a need to control the reader’s takeaway, detract from the laudable ambition. An opening assertion that “[t]oday, some scholars believe a Chinese monk came to western North America and lived among Indigenous Americans 1000 years before Columbus” is shortly followed with “[n]ow, most scholars say this probably never happened.” Thus authorial integrity is undercut, readers are confused and the stage is set for text that covers vast swaths of fascinating, but poorly attributed, history that focuses on assertion and emotion rather than evidence. Readers are repeatedly exhorted to imagine themselves in deeply terrible circumstances without providing historical context that would allow them to understand whether those circumstances were exceptional or par for the course. (Chinese Exclusion was exceptional - sharing a bathroom in a 1921 boarding house was normal.) A final chapter - The Truth Today - explicitly tells the ‘dear reader’ what they remember and insists that having read the book they are part of organizing towards justice. An important topic, rich history and good intentions can’t make up for over-broad focus, insufficient attribution and a desire to direct the reader to a specific conclusion. Backmatter includes resources, bibliography and photo credits.

I am loving all the books in the Race to the Truth series and this one is no exception. Through general stories as well as stories of individual people, the reader learns about the history of Chinese people in America and the racism and exclusion that they experienced and are still experiencing today. This book is great for middle grades readers who are interested in history and adults alike. Looking forward to learning more as I read more books in the Race to the Truth series.

I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Thank you for this digital copy. I was excited to read this when I saw the title. The Exclusion Act also affected the Chinese in the Philippines (where I'm from) because the country was under American rule at that time.

However, I feel like this book focused more on racism and hatred inflicted on the Chinese rather than presenting the facts of this part of the history of Asian Americans. Not many books are written about this Exclusion Act and the book missed the opportunity to be a handy resource when the author injected her own commentaries and personal insights into the narration. The fact that the author also tries to bring in the present events (like COVID) into the text shows the narrative to prove that the same type of racism and bigotry that existed back then still exists today. I do not believe this whatever racism/bigotry or stereotypes that are happening now are of the same level as those that happened back then. Not the same.

If the author wanted to inject the present into her narrative, she could easily say that the Chinese have risen above it by showing excellence in academics (Ivy League admissions can support this), leaders in their communities and industries, and even be free to write books such as these lambasting the same country which assures them of their freedoms.

I am always thankful I was not born and raised in China. Though stereotypes and racism also exist in the Philippines against the Chinese, our resilience and focus helped us transcend these; we can be the better ones than to attack the hand that feeds us.

Many important facts and historical information can still be gleaned from the book, but one needs to weed out the commentaries and the subjectivity found in what could have been a great historical text.

I love this series so much. I love how the series is own voices. I view this series as the history books I wish I had while growing up; and in the world of book banning and censoring history, books such as these are critical to the education of our children, even for adults like me who were never taught history outside of the white perspective. Not only do I use this series to educate myself, I also use them teach my children. I fell in love with the book in the "Note to the Reader," which I feel like is an impressive feat. This is an amazing resource for every library.

Exclusion and the Chinese American Story gives readers a new perspective on the Asian American experience. It is well written, and I'll be purchasing a copy to share.

Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC.

Unfortunately, this arc did not work and I was not able to read it. I’m sure it was very good and definitely a piece of history that is not dealt with regularly.

Dear publishers of this series, kids need images! Today’s kids are growing up in a very visual culture—and even we adults balk at the sight of a really long internet article with no images. I buy kids’ books for a public library and I WANT to buy books in this series, but I know they won’t get checked out due to lack of images (and yes, I see there are SOME, but they’re few and far between), not due to the subject matter.

Books like these were not available when this Asian-American millennial was growing up.

“Exclusion and the Chinese American Story” is a comprehensive review of Chinese immigration to the United States, and the implications of its history and the established legacies of Chinese Americans. I appreciated the critical thinking questions at the end of every chapter. This book is a great introduction to younger readers that Asian American Studies exist and is worth pursuing.

#Americanhistory #AsianAmerican #OwnVoices

I wish I had this book when I was a child.

Exclusion and the Chinese American story gives readers a whole new perspective and knowledge on the history of Asian American immigration and diaspora that has become inseparable from America's heritage and culture

Our Asian forefathers had braved numerous perils right from immigrating to the shores of American soil , bypassing the infamous Angel Island , the outright and sometimes violent discrimination and racism they were subjected to , the Exclusion Act that barred Chinese from immigrating to USA , the difficulties American born Asians went to secure citizenship.

Even then all is not bad as the grit, resilience and the adaptability of Chinese Americans enabled them to settle and form communtites all across the USA from west coast like SF and LA to NYC on the east coast . Numerous Asian American men and women became influential pioneers and groundbreaking in every field even though they had to fight in a system that was designed for them to lose.

After Ww2 , the racist Chinese Exclusion act was abolished and more educated Chinese immigrated to the usa for golden opportunities as China was caught under the turbulent wave of communism ,rise of Mao Zedong and the devastating Cultural revolution . They and subsequent waves of educated Chinese were deemed to be model minorities -those who could adaptability to American cultural but they had to pay a big price- loss of their own cultural identity. This book explains how model minority ,though innocent sounding actually creates a racial hierarchy that pits racial groups against each other and breeds insecurities as many white and black Americans saw Asian Americans as competition . Model minority myth has to be retired .

Finally we reached the present times , Covid 19 and attacks on Asian Americans as media painted the virus as China peril brought back conversations on the history of Asian Americans and the Korean spa shooting in Atlanta brought to attention stereotypes that still affect Asians today .

The book ends with a note for youth across America to end discrimination and strive for a more racially diverse and equal America where languages and cultures are as American as Apple pie .

EXCLUSION releases 26 March 2024