Starred ReviewStarred Review The Rock in My Throat
Praise for The Rock in My Throat by Kao Kalia Yang, illustrated by Jiemei Lin:
Asian/Pacific American Awards for Literature Picture Book Honor
Booklist Editor’s Choice
The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books Blue Ribbon Award
Heartland Booksellers Award Finalist
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
At first, no one noticed when I stopped talking at school.
In this moving true story, Kao Kalia Yang shares her experiences as a young Hmong refugee navigating life at home and at school. Having seen the poor treatment her parents received when making their best efforts at speaking English, she no longer speaks at school. Kalia feels as though a rock has become lodged in her throat, and it grows heavier each day. Although the narrative is somber, it is also infused with moments of beauty, love, and hope.
This is a story for anyone who has ever struggled to find their voice.
Format | Your Price | Add |
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978-1-7284-4568-7
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$14.24 | |
979-8-7656-1187-6
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$23.99 | |
979-8-7656-4439-3
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$34.99 | |
979-8-7656-4438-6
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$6.99 |
Awards
- Martin Luther King Jr. "Living the Dream" Book Award Contender
- Notable AwardNotable Award Asian/Pacific American Awards for Literature Picture Book Honor
- Minnesota Book Award Finalist
- Heartland Booksellers Award Finalist
- Notable AwardNotable Award Booklist Editor's Choice
- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Blue Ribbon Award
Reviews
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
“A nature motif runs throughout the scenes, anchoring the girl in a world that requires no language, just the songs of birds and movement of growth. This is a gorgeous and deeply empathetic look at the refugee experience and what it means to feel truly alone in the world.”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
The Horn Book Magazine
“Tenderly told in first person, Yang’s lyrical autobiographical picture book depicts her childhood struggle with selective mutism. Her descriptions of how selective mutism presents at school are vivid and authentic. . . Lin’s earth tones and muted colors reflect Kalia’s affinity with the natural world.”—The Horn Book Magazine
Publishers Weekly
“Yang traces a Hmong-speaking child’s experience of selective mutism. . . Lin’s digital illustrations employ scale and perspective to smart effect.”—Publishers Weekly
Starred ReviewStarred Review Booklist
“A heartfelt story that teaches children about diversity and reflects difficulties with being different, understood, and accepted.”—starred, Booklist
Kirkus Reviews
“Yang’s poetic prose sings in perfect unison with Lin’s gorgeously textured illustrations, rendered in earthy tones . . . A powerful window into the perspective of a young immigrant.”—Kirkus Reviews