Honeysuckle House
on Goodreads (78)
What’s inside...
An all-American girl with Chinese ancestors and a new immigrant from China find little in common when they meet in their fourth grade classroom, but they are both missing their best friends and soon discover other connections. Alienation, longing, prejudice, and cultural difference is touched on in this immigrant story told in the voices of two ten-year-old girls. Sarah and Tina are fourth graders. The most important thing in the world to Sarah — American-born Chinese — is the recent departure of her best friend, Victoria. She misses her terribly. Tina has just recently moved to Cincinnati from Shanghai, and is trying to make sense of a whole new world — pretty much clueless to all the things Sarah is hip to. The two girls are paired together in school, as if Asian appearance were proof of parallel lives and experience. ('I don't speak Chinese,' Sarah keeps having to explain.) It's the daily, common stuff of childhood intrigue that finally manages to connect their stories and forge a friendship. A whole constellation of adult concerns swirl around them — green card worries, assimilation, absent fathers, family tensions — but Andrea Cheng remains true to the heart and voice and vision of two ten-year-old girls, in a story which blends tears and games, drama and play.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
6-9
Length
160 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Tina and Sarah felt when they realized they had so much in common despite their different backgrounds?
What are some ways the characters show kindness to each other in the story?
Can you think of a time when you helped someone feel better like Sarah did for Tina?
What did Tina learn about her own family and culture throughout the book?
How important do you think friendship is in overcoming difficulties?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the book’s events, relating them to their own experiences.
Highlight the cultural aspects presented in the story, asking your child what they find interesting or new.
Discuss the characters’ emotions and actions, prompting your child to think about how they would react in similar situations.
Use examples from the book to talk about the value of inclusivity and respect for others’ differences.
Ask your child to draw or write about their favorite part of the book, fostering a deeper connection with the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing Cultural Diversity
Explanation: Honeysuckle House showcases a beautiful friendship that transcends cultural barriers, teaching children the value of embracing differences and learning from them.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by showing curiosity and respect towards friends from different cultural backgrounds, thereby fostering inclusive and diverse friendships.
Example Lesson: Value of Friendship
Explanation: The story highlights the importance of trust, support, and mutual respect among friends, which are key elements in building a strong friendship.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to be supportive and trustworthy friends in school and in their neighborhoods, laying the foundation for lasting relationships.
Example Lesson: Importance of Resilience
Explanation: Characters in Honeysuckle House demonstrate resilience in the face of challenges, providing a model for young readers to handle setbacks positively.
Real-World Application: Children can apply resilience by staying optimistic and persistent when they face academic challenges or social conflicts.
Example Lesson: Understanding and Compassion
Explanation: Through its narrative, the book teaches children the importance of being compassionate and empathetic towards others' feelings and situations.
Real-World Application: This can help children develop empathy and be more considerate in their interactions with classmates and friends, contributing to a harmonious community.