Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dream

*Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dream* 

Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dream was written by Jenny Han, illustrated by Julia Kuo and published by Little Brown in 2011. This is an award winning contemporary realistic fiction/biography book that us intended for children in the grades 3-6. Jenny Han won the Horn Book Award back in 2011.

One day little Clara Lee wakes after having a dream that her Grandpa has been killed by the mustache man. When she reveals her fear of the dream to her grandfather, Clara discovers that in her Chinese culture dreams where people die are actually a sign of good luck. So Clara sets to counting all of the good things that happen to her throughout the day, and most importantly giving a speech for the Little Miss Apple Pie contest. The contest is something that she wanted to wind so badly. The only thing that was making Clara feel insecure was the fact that she was not American like her other classmates. She was worried that she would not be able to find history on her family like her other classmates. With a little luck on her side and some encouragement from Grandpa, Clara Lee discovers that she may actually be more American than she thinks. This novel explores the challenges of being a minority in small town America and is appropriate for young readers who enjoy a little comedy and a heart-warming story.

This story can teach children how to have confidence in loving yourself and where you are from. With the support from her family she gained the cofindence and knowledge she needed to succeed.

Discussion Questions:

1. How many children do you think this happens to daily? 
2. How would you have dealt with the situation? 
3. What did you like the best about this book? What did you like the least? Why?
4. Clara Lee is Korean American. What did you learn about Korean American culture from reading this book? 

Classroom Activity: 

• Make a contest for the children to create something from their culture and present it to the class and the best things wins. The student with vote anonymously and the teach with anncouce the winner. 

If you liked this book, check out other books by Han:

• Burn for Burn
• Shug
• Always and Forever, Lara Jean 

Han, Jenny, and Julia Kuo. Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dream. Little, Brown, 2011.