THE ABACUS CONTEST: Stories from Taiwan and China

by Priscilla Wu ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 1996

Stories about life in modern Taiwan, each centered on one of six children in the same class, and each intended to convey information about the culture as well as to make a moral point. Wu's first book also provides background on Taiwan in an introduction, and explanatory notes about the stories. The writing is flat, the characters interchangeable, and the setting nearly featureless, despite laundry lists of description intended to make it distinct. Despite the inherent drama of pigeon-racing, a funeral, and the contest mentioned in the title, readers will find the stories dull and didactic; instead, let them dig up a good collection of Taiwanese or Chinese folktales, accompanied by sturdy nonfiction on the region.

Pub Date: March 1, 1996

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 55

Publisher: Fulcrum

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 1996

Categories: CHILDREN'S