Tina Liu, NJ Winner Level I

Letter to Laurence Yep, author of Dragonwings

Dear Mr. Yep,

I was in fifth grade when I first read your novel, Dragonwings.  I rushed through it for a book report, and it seemed quite confusing.  In sixth grade, however, I had the opportunity to read it again for class.  This time, I read it carefully.  I reflected upon the book with the study questions and tests from school.  The moment I flipped over the final page, my mind absorbed something completely new.

The first chapter of Dragonwings describes America as the “Land of the Golden Mountain.”  In the beginning, I almost believed that America might be a place where gold nuggets are found in secret caves of unknown mountains.  But as I read further, it suddenly hit me that maybe America doesn’t have mountains of gold.  At last, when you mention that the gold is actually the stable relationships among Moon Shadow, his father, and others, I felt that the puzzling chips in your story were finally pieced together to form the entire mosaic.  Yet when the two companions end up in debt, I realized that there is a mountain of gold in everyone that must not give away.  The “gold” is the most important component of life:  imagination.  Imagination is the power to find beauty in life.  It inspires determination, confidence, and pride that lead to success.  The worth of one’s life depends on that “gold.”  Black Dog’s addiction to opium steals his “gold,” leaving him a desperate criminal.  However, Moon Shadow and Windrider wisely hold onto their precious “gold.”  Even when they have no money left, they still possess their “gold,” which gives them a surge of hope.

I believe that this is the answer which the Dragon King wants to hear to the tests for Windrider to become a dragon again.  Reading and understanding Dragonwings is a test I undertook.  Maybe your novel chased me for a year to remind me of the test which I had not passed.  Maybe life is a chance to realize and use one’s pile of “gold.”

This Thanksgiving, as I munched on a drumstick, I wondered, “What am I grateful for?”  I thank you so much for writing this book and showing me what truly matters in life:  my family and friends, and the “gold” within me that I will never give up.

Sincerely,
Tina Liu