Tea With Milk

                                                                            Book Review

Bibliography-
Say, A. (2009). Tea with milk. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
ISBN 978-0547237473

Plot Summary- 
At home in San Francisco, May speaks Japanese and the family eats rice and miso soup and drinks green tea. When she visits her friends’ homes, she eats fried chicken and spaghetti. May plans someday to go to college and live in an apartment of her own. But when her family moves back to Japan, she soon feels lost and homesick for America. In Japan everyone calls her by her Japanese name, Masako. She has to wear kimonos and sit on the floor. Poor May is sure that she will never feel at home in this country. Eventually, May is expected to marry and a matchmaker is hired. Outraged at the thought, May sets out to find her own way in the big city of Osaka.

Critical Analysis-
This is a beautifully illustrated story, which follows a young girl named Masako, who moves with her parents from California to Japan. Masako initially struggles with adjusting to her new surroundings and feels like an outsider due to her mixed heritage. However, she eventually embraces her Japanese roots and finds her place in the country. This is a somewhat common theme in children's literature and could have explored the complexities of cultural identity more. The story focuses on the beauty of Japanese traditions, such as tea ceremonies and calligraphy, and presents them as a solution to Masako's struggles. The illustrations exquisitely capture the beauty of both California and Japan. The book also introduces readers to elements of Japanese culture and can spark an interest in exploring diverse traditions.

Review Excerpts-
"Continuing to explore place and home, Say tells the story of his mother, first introduced to readers in TREE OF CRANES. Born in California to Japanese immigrants, Masako is miserable when she moves to Japan with her parents after high school. The illustrations capture Masako's unhappiness and also her eventual contentment as she learns to combine two cultures."--Horn Book

“In describing how his parents met, Say continues to explore the ways that differing cultures can harmonize; raised near San Francisco and known as May everywhere except at home, where she is Masako, the child who will grow up to be Say's mother becomes a misfit when her family moves back to Japan. Rebelling against attempts to force her into the mold of a traditional Japanese woman, she leaves for Osaka, finds work as a department store translator, and meets Joseph, a Chinese businessman who not only speaks English, but prefers tea with milk and sugar, and persuades her that “home isn't a place or a building that's ready-made or waiting for you, in America or anywhere else.'' Painted with characteristic control and restraint.”—Kirkus Review

Connections-
- Read other books by Allen Say, such as "Grandfather's Journey" or "Tree of Cranes," and have students compare themes, settings, and writing styles across the books.
- Have students research the history and cultural significance of tea ceremonies in Japan. Students can create informative posters, presentations, or short videos to share their findings.
- Discuss the cultural differences between May's life in San Francisco and her experiences in Japan. Encourage students to research and present on various aspects such as food, clothing, traditions, and language.