The Jade Bracelet

By Hà Dinh, Yong Ling Kang (Illustrator)

A young immigrant struggles between fitting in and honoring her heritage through a simple jade bracelet.

4.4/5 Goodreads · 118 ratings

40 pages

$18.99Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

New to school, Tien feels out of place with her simple jade bracelet, a cherished symbol of her Vietnamese roots. As classmates flaunt their sparkly accessories, Tien faces a dilemma: conform or embrace her heritage. A trip to the store with her understanding mother leads to a pivotal decision. Will Tien choose the path of acceptance or stay true to her family's traditions? Discover the heartwarming journey of self-acceptance and cultural pride in this touching tale.

From the publisher

When the girls at school show off their shiny new bracelets, newly arrived immigrant Tien is embarrassed by the plain jade bracelet she wears as a symbol of her Vietnamese heritage. Although Tien loves the Vietnamese traditions her family celebrates, more than anything she wants to fit in at school and be just like her classmates. So, when all the girls start wearing brand-new sparkly bracelets, Tien tries to hide the simple jade bangle her mother gave her in memory of her grandmother. Now her bracelet looks like an old green thing and an embarrassed Tien runs home crying, flinging it on the floor. Her sympathetic mama understands and takes Tien to the shop to buy the popular bracelet. But at the last minute, Tien remembers her grandmother’s love and decides to wear her jade bracelet proudly. The Jade Bracelet is based on the author’s own experience of being the new kid at school and wanting to blend in. Now an elementary teacher, Hà Dinh encourages her immigrant students to share and honor their family’s traditions.

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