$14.36 (Hardcover)
Shining Star: The Anna May Wong Story 
By Paula Yoo
Illustrated by Lin Wang
9781600602597
Born in 1905, Anna May Wong spent her childhood working in her family’s laundry in Los Angeles’s Chinatown. Whenever she could afford it, Anna May slipped off to the movies, escaping to a world of adventure, glamour, and excitement. After seeing a movie being filmed in her neighborhood, young Anna May was hooked. She decided she would become a movie star!
Anna May struggled to pursue an acting career in Hollywood in the 1930s. There were very few roles for Asian Americans, and many were demeaning and stereotypical. Anna May made the most of each limited part. She worked hard and always gave her best performance. Finally, after years of unfulfilling roles, Anna May began crusading for more meaningful roles for herself and other Asian American actors.
Anna May Wong—the first Chinese American movie star—was a pioneer of the cinema. Her spirited determination in the face of discrimination is an inspiration to all who must overcome obstacles so that their dreams may come true.
Video Interview with author Paula Yoo
- Interest Level
- Grades 1 - 6
- Reading Level
- Grades 3 - 4
- Themes
- Art, Asian/Asian American Interest, Biography, Discrimination, Dreams & Aspirations, Overcoming Obstacles, Self Esteem/Identity
- School Library Journal
- Publishers Weekly
- Kirkus Reviews
- The Asian Reporter
- Booklist
- The Happy Nappy Bookseller
- Jama Rattigan's Alphabet Soup
- BookDragon, Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program
- Sergio Leone and the Infield Fly Rule
- The Sacramento Bee
- Shen's Books
- Northwest Asian Weekly
- BayViews
- MultiCultural Review
- Angry Asian Man
- Readerbuzz
Paula Yoo is a graduate of Yale University and Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. She has been a full-time journalist at The Seattle Times, The Detroit News, and People magazine. Yoo has also been a television writer for The West Wing and Tru Calling. In addition, she is a professional violinist as well as a violin teacher for underprivileged children. She lives in Los Angeles, California.
Lin Wang is a classically trained portrait painter with a Masters in Fine Arts from the Savannah College of Art and Design. She has illustrated several books for children, and her work has been recognized by the Society of Illustrators Original Art Show. Wang lives with her husband, son, and daughter in Freemont, California. You can visit her on the web at linstudio.com.
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