Module 4: Picture Book 10

Author	Allen Say
Title	Tea with Milk
Illustrator	Allen Say
Readability Score	Grade level equivalent:  3.5 Lexile Measure: 450L DRA:  38 Guidd Reading: O
Genre	Fiction
Subgenre	Historical Fiction
Theme	This book emphasizes that home is where the heart is.
Primary and Secondary Characters	May, May’s mother and father, Joseph, May’s supervisor
Award(s) date of publication	1999
Publishing Company	Houghton Mifflin Company Boston
ISBN Number	0-395-90495-1
Brief Summary	Based on a true story, author Allen Say details his mother’s struggles as a young Japanese American woman living in Japan.  After growing up in America, May’s parents decide to move the family back to their homeland.  May’s efforts to fit in are unsuccessful, until she decides to set off on her own to a big city.  Once in Osaka, May finds work, as well as a young Japanese man with whom she can relate (that also speaks English).  The two share many precious moments with one another and decide to make a home and life together in Yokohama, Japan.
Picture of book cover
Description of how you would use book with students	This book would be a great addition to an Allen Say author study.  Also, students could interview their parents to find out what life was like for them growing up.  Students could then compare and contrast their current lives with their parents’ past experiences.