Yao Bai and the Egg Pirates

by Tim J Myers (Author) Bonnie Pang (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

2020 Storytelling World Resource Award Honoree

Inspired by the 1863 Egg War and the mad rush for murre eggs on the Farallon Islands near San Francisco, Yao Bai and the Egg Pirates is a high-seas adventure story celebrating the courage and history of Chinese immigrants in America through a fascinating yet little-known event during the California Gold Rush era.

Yao Bai is finally old enough to sail with his father and uncle to the Farallon Islands, to gather the precious eggs seabirds lay there. But on their way home they encounter trouble on the sea--pirates! Just when Yao's father and uncle believe their hard day's work would all be gone, Yao comes up with a clever plan. But will it be enough to save all the eggs?

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$11.99

Kirkus Reviews

This clever tale with some insight into historical and cultural details of Chinese-American immigrants is sadly underserved by its lackluster illustrations.

Review quotes

Sailing around the San Francisco Bay harvesting seabird eggs, Yao Bai just wants to spot a whale. But the arrival of competitors turns the peaceful trip into a fight for survival. Inspired by the natural wonders of the Farallon Islands and true tales of pirates, miners, and explorers, Yao's story is rich in history, culture, and legend, set in the heart of the Chinese immigrant community amid the craze of the California gold rush.— Foreword

You've written the kind of story that will delight (and enlighten) 4th graders and their teachers. — Connie Yu, historian, Chinese Historical and Cultural Project (San Jose), Chinese Historical Society of America (Board Member Emeritus)

Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781513261447
Lexile Measure
670
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
West Margin Press
Publication date
April 20, 2019
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV039250 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Emigration & Immigration
JUV016140 - Juvenile Fiction | Historical | United States - 19th Century
JUV011020 - Juvenile Fiction | People & Places | United States - Asian American
JUV001020 - Juvenile Fiction | Action & Adventure | Pirates
Library of Congress categories
History
California
Pirates
Chinese Americans
1846-1850
Eggs
Storytelling World Resource Award
Honoree 2020

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