Historical Fiction Review: The Journal of Wong Ming-Chung: A Chinese Miner by Laurence Yep

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The Journal of Wong Ming-Chung: A Chinese Miner by Laurence Yep Yep, Laurence. 2000. THE JOURNAL OF WONG MING-CHUNG: A CHINESE MINER. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 9780590386074 2. PLOT SUMMARY Wong Ming-Chung, otherwise known as Runt, begins his journal in October of 1851, when his Uncle Stone leaves to find riches and fortune in California during the Gold Rush. Runt’s family, like many others in China, are struggling to make ends meet. They hope that they will soon be Guests of the Golden Mountain- families that have money sent to them from family members who become gold miners in California- and their Uncle Stone makes this a reality. Uncle Stone wanted Runt’s older brother, Blessing, to join him in the mines, and Runt is terrified to learn that his family will be sending him instead of his brother. Runt’s journey to California is full of hardships from the moment he sets off, and the glimmering dream of easy money is soon proved to be a misconception. 3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS Laurence Yep shows an often unseen side of the California Gold Rush in this story which features the incredible hardships, greed, and prejudice immigrant miners faced in 1851. Yep gave a comprehensive and accurate depiction of the time by including a historical summary and pictures of the times scattered throughout. From the outside, the dream of becoming rich by mining may seem superficial or materialistic, but for many families, including Wong Ming-Chung’s, it represented hope. However, for Wong Ming-Chung, that hope quickly dissolved as he faces several challenges; nature, prejudice, greed, and back breaking labor. Each of these challenges contribute to Runt’s growth and development that negate his nickname “Runt”. Runt uses vivid imagery and similes to document his journey. He compares the hardships faced by the Chinese workers to a beautiful flower that hides a poisonous snake. As soon as you get close enough to admire the beauty, the snake strikes and kills you. This evocative simile depicts the dangers immigrant workers faced and provides readers an insight into what their daily life was like. Courage is an overarching theme in this story. Runt shows courage in many ways- courage to go, courage to continue, and courage to stay. Wong Ming-Chung’s courage is what makes this fiction story relatable to readers of all ages. 4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S) KIDS READS: “You will enjoy seeing how Bright Intelligence musters all his courage to make his way in a huge, new world.” 5. CONNECTIONS Other My Name Is America books: The Journal of Otto Peltonen: A Finnish Immigrant by William Durbin ISBN 978-0439445641 The Journal of Sean Sullivan: A Transcontinental Railroad Worker by William Durbin ISBN 978-0439049948 The Journal of Rufus Rowe: A Witness to the Battle of Fredricksburg by Sid Hite ISBN 978-0439353649

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