Laurence Yep book: Dragon's Gate

Another Newbery Honor book (1994), Dragon's Gate is the story of a young boy who grows through adversity.  Our protagonist, Otter, is forced to leave turbulunt 1860's China after an accident.  He goes to the US to live with his own father and uncle in California, to work on the transcontinental railroad. 

Dragon's Gate is a bildungsroman of the first order--going from young, immature to tough, stout man--along with learning some hard cruel realities.  The book invokes conflict amongst cultures-both in China with the Manchus and in America with the American, Irish and Chinese laborers.  It also invokes how big men in one society can be little peons in another. 

The book is a bit old for most elementary students, and a bit young for anyone below high school.  The language can be lively and poetic at times.  Regardless, I highly recommend it for it's bildungsroman, strength through adversity and heartache, and doing the right thing regardless of how you might suffer themes. 

Meet the Author, Laurence Yep: