Adventure

This is a very interesting coming-of-age story about a teenage girl who finds a wormhole to another time, which connects her to her ancestry, a boy in search of his father, and a mysterious priceless jade tiger with a history and mythology of its own.

Younger readers will enjoy the protagonist, a take-charge and daring person, and her adventures. The history presented is interesting, following the story of Chinese immigrants to Canada to build the Pacific railroad in the late 19th century.

At first, however, the time shifts are a little confusing, even to an adult reader, and I'm afraid younger readers will not fare better. The story switches from the present time, to ancient times, to the 19th century, with absolutely no hints given to someone unfamiliar with ancient China. This is definitely going to confuse some readers. ( )

Thirteen-year-old Jasmine is deeply hurt and angry when she learns that her father is leaving for work in China almost immediately and she must stay behind with her aunt in Victoria BC. While at her aunt’s house, she discovers a coolie outfit and decides to wear it to a school outing in Chinatown. Somehow, she is transported back to the 19th c. as the railway is being built. There she meets Keung, a young Chinese boy who is looking for his father who had come to Canada seeking work. He had brought with him a white jade tiger amulet hoping to sell it but, instead, it has placed a curse on Keung’s family. Now he has disappeared with the amulet and Keung must find him and return the amulet if the curse is to be lifted. Unfortunately, he isn’t the only one after the amulet and Keung and Jasmine must race against time and danger if they are to make things right.

White Jade Tiger by author Julie Lawson is a Middle Grade historical novel. It offers a too often overlooked part of Canadian history wrapped in a story full of time travel and adventure. With its strong young female protagonist and its compelling storyline, this seems like a good read for any tween or early teen.

Thanks to Netgalley and Dundurn for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review ( )

This action-packed historical fantasy tells the story of a girl named Jasmine who accidentally travels back in time via a special door in Chinatown. Set in Victoria, BC, Jasmine discovers not only the working conditions of Chinese labourers on the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway through the Fraser Canyon, but also her own ancestry. I found this novel a little slow to get going, but compelling near the end due to the pacing of the plot. I am not sure why the author chose for Jasmine's mother to be killed in a car crash in the first chapter as this event had little bearing on the storyline.

Winner of the Sheila Egoff BC Book Prize, 1993. ( )