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The Year of the Book (An Anna Wang novel, 1)
Last updated Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Author: Andrea Cheng
Illustrator: Abigail Halpin
Date of Publication: 2012
ISBN: 0547684630
Grade Level: 2nd (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Jun. 2025
Synopsis:
In Chinese, peng you means friend. But in any language, all Anna knows for certain is that friendship is complicated.
When Anna needs company, she turns to her books. Whether traveling through A Wrinkle in Time, or peering over My Side of the Mountain, books provide what real life cannot - constant companionship and insight into her changing world.
Books, however, can't tell Anna how to find a true friend. She'll have to discover that on her own.
| Note to readers: |
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The Year of the Book unfolds through small, meaningful moments as Anna learns to build friendships and appreciate her family and identity. Volunteers are encouraged to highlight these quiet but powerful moments, as they reflect the real-life feelings and challenges many kids experience.
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This story may feel especially relatable to kids who have ever felt different, shy, or caught between two cultures. It can lead to great conversations about empathy, language, and family.
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| Discussion topics for before reading: |
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What’s your favorite book or kind of story to read? Why do you like it?
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Do you like reading alone or with someone else?
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What makes someone a good friend?
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Can you think of a time someone was a good friend to you?
Vocabulary
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Casing - the outer cover or layer that goes around something
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Monotone - when a person’s voice stays the same and doesn’t go up or down
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Pattern - a guide or plan that shows you how to make something, like clothes or crafts
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Amble - to walk slowly and in a relaxed way
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Sprawled - sitting or lying down with your arms and legs spread out in a messy or uncomfortable way
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Dozes - sleeps for a short time, usually lightly and not deeply
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Miniature - very, very small; a tiny version of something
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Anatomy - the parts of the human body and how they work together
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Swerves - turns quickly in a different direction
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Hoisted - lifted something up, especially something heavy
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Tributaries - small rivers or streams that flow into a larger river
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| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
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Can you think of a time when you persevered?
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What do you like to do during recess?
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Why do you think Anna likes to read instead of playing with other kids?
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Anna helps her mom with English. How do you help people in your family?
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If you were in Anna’s class, what could you do to be kind to her?
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| Craft ideas: |
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Father’s Day is Sunday, June 15, 2025. Make a greeting card for someone; father, grandfather, uncle,
etc.
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Draw a picture of something you are going to do this summer. Examples: Camping, go to the beach, take a
road trip.
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Decorate a paper lunch bag and draw your favorite lunch foods to put inside!
Use a pencil to poke holes near the top and add handles with yarn or ribbon.
Or, add a drawstring like Anna:
1. Cut 2 inches off the top of the closed paper bag
2. Open the strip and slide it down around the bag, gluing it 2 inches from the top
3. Poke 6 holes around the sides of the bag
4. Thread ribbon or yarn through the holes all the way around
5. Pull the ends and tie in a bow to close the bag
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| Special activities: |
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FINALLY, remember when there is a really hot day and you live in an apartment or house with no air
conditioning, the is a place you can go that does have AC … the LIBRARY and it's FREE.
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*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions.
You can use them, but you don't have to use them.
You can expand upon them, or add your own twist.
Remember, though, that the focus of your time should
not be on the development and execution of a craft;
the focus should be on the read-aloud and the
enjoyment of the book!
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