A wonderful book that sparks imagination and curiosity.
Brandon’s family takes him to vibrant Hong Kong to see the sights and also to visit with his extended family. However, before the plane even lands Brandon catches a glimpse of something more thrilling than his parents imagined he would. What begins as a brief flash of red that quickly disappears becomes a curious mystery for the nine year old boy. Wherever he goes in Hong Kong, he spots what he thinks might just be a real red dragon! To further his speculation that the dragon is real, he overhears other kids commenting on strange things they’ve seen, and he learns that even his own cousin Kelsey may believe in dragons. The story builds to an exciting and whimsical conclusion.
Eugenia Chu has written a travel adventure that will surely resonate with inquisitive children. The author effortlessly incorporates a handful of Chinese words and phrases into the story, repeating them frequently to impress them on young minds. In fact, even my older, slower-to-learn brain will likely never forget that the Mandarin word for dragon is lóng! Besides the language, a number of interesting cultural topics are discussed briefly, including religion, food, popular tourist attractions, and a variety of animals. This early-readers chapter book is easy to read, and in addition to the fun story, youths will also enjoy the inclusion of a number of beautiful sketch drawings depicting the scenes. Questions are also posed at the end of each chapter that add to the subtle and light suspense surrounding Brandon’s trip. Brandon Goes to Hong Kong is a wonderful book that sparks imagination and curiosity as it gives kids a glimpse of Chinese culture.
