The Vine Basket
Sale price
$759
Chapter Book · Ages 10–12 · 2013

The Vine Basket

By Josanne La Valley

A young girl races against time to craft baskets and escape a grim future.

3.8/5 Goodreads · 474 ratings
256 pages
$7.99Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Fourteen-year-old Mehrigul dreams of school, but her reality is the family farm. With the threat of a factory looming, her only chance lies in crafting baskets for an American buyer. As storms rage and her hands bleed, Mehrigul battles her father's scorn and the ticking clock. Can her determination and artistry change her fate, or will time run out? Discover the gripping journey of resilience and hope.

From the publisher

“A haunting tale of artistic vision triumphing over adversity.” –KirkusReviews Things aren’t looking good for fourteen-year-old Mehrigul. She yearns to be in school, but she’s needed on the family farm. The longer she’s out of school, the more likely it is that she’ll be sent off to a Chinese factory . . . perhaps never to return. Her only hope is an American who buys one of her decorative baskets for a staggering sum and says she will return in three weeks for more. Mehrigul must brave storms, torn-up hands from working the fields, and her father’s scorn to get the baskets done. The stakes are high, and time is passing . . . will Mehrigul’s hard work be enough?

Awards

Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Honor (2014)
At a glance
Format
Paperback
Pages
256
Reading age
10–12
Audience
Middle Grade
Lexile
740L
Themes & topics
Books about ChinaBooks about cultureBooks about farmsBooks about jobs and careersBooks about family
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The fine print

Book details

Reading levels
ATOS
5
F&P level
~R
AR points
7
AR interest level
MG
AR quiz
158123
Publication
Published
August 4, 2015
First published
January 1, 2013
Publisher
Clarion Books
Edition
Language
English
Type
Chapter Book
Identifiers
ISBN
9780544439399

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