As Pacy rings in the new year with her family--the Year of the Dog--she learns that this is the year she is supposed to "find herself." As time goes by, Pacy struggles to find her talent, and is confused about where she, as a Taiwanese American, fits into society. Too Asian for many of the white kids, and too white for some of the Asian kids, Pacy learns what she really is--American. Over the course of the year, Pacy has lots of laughs, makes a new best friend, and finally realizes just why the Year of the Dog is her lucky year after all.

The pace of The Year of the Dog moves quickly, which will please even the most reluctant reader. Grace's stories about her year are peppered with her parents' and grandparents' own amusing stories (such as "Mom Sleeps in School" or "How Grandpa Got Rich"), which tie in to the problem Grace is having, offering greater wisdom. These little stories are very short and engaging. Pacy is a narrator that makes you want to keep reading, and girls will enjoy following her adventure throughout her year. An added bonus is that this wholesome book has some depth. Pacy struggles to find out where she fits in. She speaks only English, and other Asian girls tease her for this. She and her best friend are the only two Asian girls in their all white school. Although Pacy has many important traditions with her family and things that set her apart from her all-white schoolmates, she considers herself just American--and wishes they did, too. Another struggle she faces is to find herself, and she does, recognizing talent in her art and writing skills once she is given an award. Fans of The Year of the Dog will be happy to know this is the first book in a series that follows Pacy and her adventures.

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