What is the name of this book or story?

December 15, 2007 5:18 PM

Looking for the name of a book I read as a youngster.

My husband mentioned Lucky Strike cigarettes today, and I had a flashback to a book I barely remember.

The main character is an Asian girl who has just moved to the U.S. She doesn't speak English at first, but memorizes a Disney record or something when she has to speak in front of the class.

She sees another Asian girl and tries to speak her native language, but the girl doesn't speak it.

Someone sends her to the store to buy Lucky Strike cigarettes, but she can't get them because she can't pronounce the name right.

I googled several combinations of search terms and came up with nothing. Does this sound familiar to anyone?

posted by TheClonusHorror to media & arts (5 comments total)

"Rukee sike! Rukee sike!"

I totally remember this story! I don't think it was a full-length book, though--or if it was, I only ever read an excerpt, either in a kids' literature magazine (like Cricket or Highlights or something) or in a school book.

OK, on preview, I did a Google search on "Rukee sike" and came up with In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson, by Bette Bao Lord.
posted by infinitywaltz at 5:52 PM on December 15, 2007

Yes, it's In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson. I love that book.
posted by lemuria at 5:53 PM on December 15, 2007

Oh, and you can get it on Amazon for $5.99. And, lest the Amazon.com overlords whip my family again, I feel obligated to let you know that if "[You] WANT IT BY DEC. 24? 3 DAYS LEFT TO ORDER USING SUPER SAVER SHIPPING. Restrictions Apply."
posted by infinitywaltz at 5:54 PM on December 15, 2007

I totally remember reading an excerpt of that in grade school. I always remembered the bit where she gets asked whether she'd like to be President someday, and she says she can't because she wasn't born in America, but her younger brother might be!
posted by web-goddess at 6:27 PM on December 15, 2007

Wow! Yes! Now that I read the title, my brain is going "of COURSE!"

My error was that I googled "Ruckee" instead of "Rukee". Heh.

Thanks for the assist, guys. You made my night.
posted by TheClonusHorror at 7:59 PM on December 15, 2007