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Rating: 
Summary: An intriguing visit to a place I've never been
Review: " Homesick: My Own Story" was a real eye-opener for me. I first read it when I was in seventh grade and I still remember what it was like: Looking through Jean's eyes I saw China in a rough time; I learned where the Yangtse River was and about the junks that floated upon it; and how people would get rides in rickshaws pulled by men eager for the money. I broiled through all of her worries and troubles, grinned in happy times, and cried when everything seemed hopeless. I liken this book to "Number the Stars" by Lois Lowry. "Homesick..." did not have as much action the way through as that story, but it certainly holds the same endearing qualities as "Number the Stars". This book read very fluently and I came to know much about something I had never been told about. I recommend "Homesick: My Own Story" to anyone interested in different cultures and a personable young lady who would rather have the name Marjorie instead of Jean
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Summary: a beautifully real book
Review: Homesick: My Own Story is one of those rare books that feel entirely true. So many times an author's memoir is written "for" a specific audience, so that it takes on the tone of what the readers expect or are hooked by more than by what's true, but Jean Fritz's account of her childhood in China feels absolutely accurate, as if she is writing down the girl she once was. I found the novel an interesting read when I first read it, and when I read it again upon moving to Shanghai, I found it familiar. Even though so many years have passed, many things are the same, here and all over the world. A different sort of story for the un-narrow-minded, Homesick is the kind of discovery that we should all make about ourselves.
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Summary: A fascinating glimpse of history
Review: I didn't know what to expect when I started reading this book, but once I started reading I didn't want to put it down. This book tells the true story of a young American girl who grew up in China in the 1920's. I knew very little about China and its history, so this book was very educational and insightful for me. This book stirred up a lot of emotions in me. I felt myself totally caught up in the life of the young Jean Fritz and sharing her hopes and dreams, her frustrations and her sorrows. It is a story that has very humorous moments, moments full of excitement and suspense, heartwarming and tender moments, and moments that are simply heart-wrenching. If this book were simply a story that somebody made up then it probably would have meant very little to me, but knowing that this was a true story full of real experiences really opened my eyes and made me feel like I was glimpsing a tiny bit of a history I had previously known nothing about. Thank you to Jean Fritz for sharing this part of her life with us.
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Summary: Proud to be an American
Review: Imagine being the only American student in a British school. Then imagine being homesick for a country you never lived in.
In this graceful blend of autobiography and fiction, Jean Fritz provides readers with insight into the maturation of--not only a girl--but also a patriot. Her steadfast private dream is to live in the land of the free. Set in China during the 1920's
while the Communist Revolution is gathering momentum, HOMESICK shares a girl's observations on the upheaval of the only Society she has ever known. She endures the zealous violence which is especially directed towards all "foreign devils," as well as
suffering the private heartaches of her own family life.
Jean's father works for the Y: the Fritzs' only motivation is to improve the lot of the Chinese people, but national events dramatically disrupt most lives. Resentful at being stuck on the wrong side of the globe, Jean yearns for her relatives in Pennsylvania, for she has been denied a Yankee childhood. Nor is she indifferent to the plight of her neighbors; in particular she loves and feels great compassion for her faithful Chinese nanny, Lin Nai-Nai. The brutality of war is related through a young girl's eyes, while her imagination is trapped bewteen two worlds. Will she become so ensnared in the insidious trap of Revolution that she has to reliquish her dream of living as a true American? If she does escape, will she ever return to that
land of wise-eyed junks?
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Summary: In Relation
Review: Jean Fritz was born an American girl in China. Growing up she wanted to know about her American life. Throughout her earlier years she can only see her American life in letters from her grandma (lives in america). Finally, after waiting many years her family decides to go back. When she gets to America she questions whether or not she will fit in, after living on the opposite side of the world.
During the coarse of the book, I liked the story's reality to everyday issues. They are the same no matter where you live. Whether it being teased and not wanting to go to school or begging mother for that special something for christmas. There are so many cultures and different beliefs, that when it comes to basic standards of living it is all the same.
I did not dislike anything in Homesick. Although, I did learn about the separation of Chinese and Americans. Not in a bad way. The Americans had a small park blocked off to Chinese in order to have a place in comparison to America. Therefore, by finishing the book I give it a thumbs up and can relate to being homesick.
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