Celebrate the Chinese Year of the Dog with Pacy—a year for friendship, family, and self-discovery. Known by her Chinese name, Pacy, at home, and her American name, Grace, at school, she searches for her special talent, faces setbacks, gains a new best friend, and even creates a prize-winning book!
The Year of the Dog
Discuss the Book
Family Folklore Chapters 1–4
- Important Moment: Pacy’s mom tells a story about getting in trouble at school forfalling asleep standing up! Pacy’s mom says she can fall asleep anywhere.
- Ask and Share: Why did Pacy’s mom get in trouble at school? Are there funny stories from the past that your family likes to share? Do you have any funny or secret talents like Pacy’s mom does?
Science Fair Chapters 5–15
- Important Moment: Mr. McKnealy says Pacy’s science experiment is “seriously flawed” because the control plant grew under different light conditions than the other plants. Pacy concludes she doesn’t have any science talent.
- Ask and Share: How does Pacy feel when Mr. McKnealy tells her that their science project is seriously flawed? What was wrong with it? What can you try when you make amistake or discover a skill that could use improvement?
The Big Audition Chapters 16–22
- Important Moment: Pacy practices nonstop to audition for the school play. When a classmate tells her she won’t be picked for the role because Dorothy isn’t Chinese, Pacy decides not to audition.
- Ask and Share: Why does Pacy decide to skip her audition? Has anyone tried to discourage you from going after a goal? If you were Pacy’s friend, what would you say to her about the audition?
Camp Bullies Chapters 23–29
- Important Moment: Pacy is bullied for being “Americanized.” After talking with her mom, she’s able to open up: “To American people, I’m too Chinese, and to Chinese people, I’m too American.”
- Ask and Share: Why has Pacy come home from camp crying? What are some waysto respond to kids who are bullying or being unkind? Who can you talk to if you see or experience bullying? How can you get the conversation started?