Tiger Daughter
Rebecca Lim
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
ISBN: 9781760877644
Awards Year: 2022
Category: Book of the Year: Older Readers

Blurb

Wen Zhou is determined to create a future for herself that is more satisfying than the life her parents expect her to lead.

What I feel most days is that nothing is ever going to change. That my life won't even start, and that I'll be stuck like this forever.

Wen Zhou is the daughter and only child of Chinese immigrants whose move to the lucky country has proven to be not so lucky. Wen and her friend, Henry Xiao - whose mum and dad are also struggling immigrants - both dream of escape from their unhappy circumstances, and form a plan to sit an entrance exam to a selective high school far from home. But when tragedy strikes, it will take all of Wen's resilience and resourcefulness to get herself and Henry through the storm that follows.

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The author says...

Rebecca Lim talks with ALIA as part of the CBCA Sun Project "Shadow Judging" about her book "Tiger Daughter".

play button for ALIA's video with Rebecca Lim

The CBCA judges say...

Written with the palpable anger of being kept silenced in a cage of patriarchal injustice. A beautifully written story of the challenges and injustices of culturally based domestic violence and the injustices and effects of migrant discrimination. The strength of love, and the importance of connection to community are clear themes throughout. The book also explores grief, cultural clash, patriarchy, racism and friendship. Youth wins out over adult indoctrination, disappointment and pessimism.

The Reading Time reviewers say...

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Read the Reading Time review Tiger Daughter.

 

Teaching Notes for this book...

The publisher has generously made teaching notes available for this book. Find them on their website below the blurb.

 

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