Prairie Lotus

By: Linda Sue Park

Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller

Length: 5 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

Prairie Lotus is a powerful, touching, multilayered audiobook about a girl determined to fit in and realize her dreams: getting an education, becoming a dressmaker in her father's shop, and making at least one friend.

Acclaimed, award-winning author Linda Sue Park has placed a young half-Asian girl, Hanna, in a small town in America's heartland, in 1880. Hanna's adjustment to her new surroundings, which primarily means negotiating the townspeople's almost unanimous prejudice against Asians, is at the heart of the story. Told from the viewpoint of Hanna, the novel has poignant moments yet sparkles with humor, introducing a captivating heroine whose wry, observant voice will resonate with listeners.

Afterword:

"Fans of the Little House books will find many of the small satisfactions of Laura's stories...here in abundance. Park brings new depth to these well-trodden tales, though, as she renders visible both the xenophobia of the town's white residents, which ranges in expression from microaggressions to full-out assault, and Hanna's fight to overcome it with empathy and dignity.... Remarkable." (Kirkus, starred review)

©2020 Linda Sue Park (P)2020 Listening Library

A WONDERFUL story! 🥰

This book is good for the heart and soul, eloquently written, and a refreshing perspective!

The power of historical fiction

The MC is one you want to succeed...the people she cares about become who we care about. She has the grit and determination of girl power in a world that stacked against her. Great MG listen.

Wonderfully engaging!

A beautiful story about courage, friendship and love. Suitable for 12 and up. Gentle Conversation starter for the unjust treatment of immigrants and indigenous peoples.

As a teacher I hope children read this!

A fantastic story with many opportunities to question and discuss issues we face today while learning of life long ago in America.

I love that this book mimics Little House Books.

I love the story. I wish it were a series that went deeper into the lives of Hannah and her father.

interesting concept but boring execution

I think the author was onto something great here. I think the future of historical fiction should explore the experiences of a more diverse set of characters, and Park is trying to do just that. She gives the reader a detailed insight into the micro and macro aggressions against Asians in America. unfortunately, this book lacks action and is mostly the narrator mulling over what is going on in the present and then recalling what has happened in the past. It's slow and tedious. Characters are not particularly interesting or engaging either, especially for kids. The structure has issues (basically there's one plot and then it neatly ends and then another begins and ends) that adds to the boringness problem.

I almost gave up on this one, but it picked up a bit halfway in. I did love the narrator, who I enjoyed in American Panda and was happy to hear again. wish this had gotten a better edit or something because it is such a neat and needed concept.

A twist

loved it! if you were a fan of Little House on the Prairie as a kid you will love this.

Very thoughtfully written

Being Native American, my children and I very much appreciated the respect given to the native characters in this book. They honored their language, customs and gave them character more grounded in reality than theatrics. All other aspects of this book were clearly well thought out and researched. I was proud to play this audiobook for my children. They were enthralled with the entire story! Thank you for this beautiful perspective, Linda Sue Park.

Really great

I grew up loving Laura Ingalls and I love everything Ms. Park did in her novel here.

Finished it in a sitting

Simply beautiful , thoroughly enjoyed this book. The issues addressed are so important. Well worth the credit