I bought this book at a charity shop in Hamilton, ON on 19 April 2017, but I guess I must have forgotten to register it back then! Anyway, between now and then I have read it. I've read this book before but it had been years so I decided to read this copy too, before passing it along.

This is a very nice story about a very sad period in Canada's history. Thankfully our country came to its senses eventually and stopped the unfair exclusion (and other unfair legal treatment) of Chinese Immigrants eventually, but it's awful that it happened and that it went on so long. Toronto's Chinatown is my favourite place, and I am certainly glad of the Chinese presence in my Canada's cultural mosaic.

The diarist in this book is a hard-working and dedicated young girl, as well as a devoted daughter. In spite of Mei's story being set in a very different time, place, cultural environment, and situation than my own life story, I found certain aspects of her tale relatable, personally (growing up without/missing her mother, struggling to keep/get her family back together, everyday family life being just her and her daddy, and even some of Mei's own life/career goals).

The historical supplements included in this book are interesting too (I like old photos!), although the repro on page 207 confuses me as it appears to be American but is credited to the BC Archives. Because it sounded American (we don't have a President, for one thing), I did some research and it seems that both the plaza mentioned and the printer that published whatever it is (a poster or a newspaper sheet or something) are in San Diego, California. Now, I understand that the sentiments/prevailing social attitudes in Canada and the USA may well have been pretty similar at the time, but... I don't know. Something about using a document from another country's media about life in that country as evidence of things here in Canada just bothers me. There is probably enough evidence of our own country's unjust attitudes that we don't need to look to our neighbours for theirs... Anyhow, that's my one complaint with this book, and it's a small one, really, as it's just about one particular supporting document.



In 2017, I have dedicated my bookcrossing activity to the sharing of Canadian stories in honour of our sesquicentennial. This book is certainly about a significant era in our nation's past, it's set in Vancouver, and it was written by a woman who lives not far from me, in Dundas, Ontario (maybe 45 minutes away from me). I plan to include it in my Canada 150 project.

I decided to leave this book at a great little motel we stayed at in Gananoque, because in addition to being an inn it is a Chinese restaurant, and in the story Mei's family operates a Chinese restaurant.

If you've found this book, thanks for picking it up and checking out its journal! If you're new to bookcrossing, welcome. We'd love it if you'd stick around with us a while. I really hope that you enjoy both this book and the whole bookcrossing experience!

This book was released as part of the 2017 "52 Towns in 52 Weeks" release challenge! Gananoque was Town #15 for me! This book was also my first release for the Canada Days challenge!