Tofu Quilt

Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature - Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA)

A collection of poems telling the story of Yeung Ying, a young girl in Hong Kong in the 1960s who, against the conventions of society and family members, aspires to become a writer

Growing up in Hong Kong in the 1960s, Yeung Ying is tired of hearing how important boys are. After all, she can write letters and recite poems as well as--even better than--her boy cousins.

Luckily, Yeung Ying’s mother thinks ＂girls and boys are just the same.＂ Despite protests from her husband’s family, Ma uses what little money the family has to send her daughter to private school. There Yeung Ying begins to fall in love with books and writing. Combining this new passion with the colorful experiences of her daily life, Yeung Ying discovers that even girls can dare to dream.

In her first collection of poems, Ching Yeung Russell captures elements of her youth in rich, vivid snapshots and authentic detail. Readers of all backgrounds will relate to spirited Yeung Ying, her dynamic family, and her courage in the face of life’s obstacles.

Ching Russell grew up in mainland China and Hong Kong. She began writing letters for her relatives at the age of eight and was inspired to become a writer by her desire to eat more dan lai (milk custard)--a special treat she was once rewarded with for reciting classical Chinese poetry. Russell is the author of a series of middle grade novels beginning with First Apple, winner of a Parents’ Choice Award and the New York State Reading Association’s Charlotte Award. She often travels in the United States and abroad to share her books with students. Russell lives in South Carolina with her husband, a social worker and avid photographer. They have two grown sons. Her Web site is chingyeung.homestead.com.