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list price: $9.95
edition:Paperback
also available: Hardcover eBook
category: Young Adult Fiction
published: Oct 2008
ISBN:9781551439532
publisher: Orca Book Publishers

Learning to Fly

by Paul Yee

tagged: prejudice & racism, emigration & immigration, drugs, alcohol, substance abuse
Description

Jason is an outsider.

A recent immigrant from China, Jason lives in a close-minded town with his mother and younger brother. Falling in with the wrong crowd, trying to fit in, Jason takes chances and ends up in trouble with the police. Holding on to his friendship with an Indigenous boy, also an outsider, Jason finds he needs to fight to belong and to find a new home.

This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for teen readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read!

About the Author

Paul Yee

PAUL YEE was born in Spalding, Saskatchewan, and grew up in Vancouver's Chinatown. A former archivist, he now writes full time. His books have won many awards and honors, including the Governor General's Award (Ghost Train), the Ruth Schwartz Award (Ghost Train and Roses Sing on New Snow), and the Canadian Library Association Book of the Year Award (Tales from Gold Mountain). He has won the Vancouver Book Award and been shortlisted for the BC Book Prize, and his books have been named to several lists, including NYPL Books for the Teen Age (Dead Man’s Gold), ALA Notables and Booklist's Top Ten Historical Fiction. Most recently, Paul’s young adult novel Money Boy was named a Stonewall Honor Book and he won the Vicky Metcalf Award for a body of work. Paul lives in Toronto.

Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
Age:
12 to 18
Grade:
8 to 12
Reading age:
12 to 18
Editorial Reviews

"Engage[s] the reader...This book will be useful in cultural diversity classes or for students who are having a hard time finding their place in school...Recommended."

— Library Media Connection

"While maintaining young readers' interest in the plot, Yee's novel will also help them to develop and gain confidence in their reading skills."

— CM Magazine

"Highly recommended."

— Tucson Unified School District

"Reluctant readers will be drawn to this book because of the content and its length."

— VOYA

"Yee's slim novel packs in a lot."

— Booklist

"There's a lot to think about in this small book. It might even be a book read to the end by kids who don't like to read."

— Puget Sound Council for Reviewing Children's Media

"[Yee's] characters and their life struggles ring true and are likely to connect well with teen readers. Written in a fast-paced, easy-to-read style, this book should be successful with reluctant readers."

— TeensReadToo.com

"Fast-paced, easy-to-read drama."

— The Horn Book Guide

"This is a tale about the effects of prejudice and the redeeming power of friendship...A very good selection for reluctant readers in high school who need high interest books."

— Tri State Young Adult Book Review Committee

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