The Year of the Dog, by Grace Lin

The "Year of the Dog" is for friends and family and finding yourself particularly for the Taiwanese, young girl named Grace for whom the year includes making a new friend when another girl from Taiwan enrolls in her school, writing and illustrating a book that wins a contest, and performing as a "Chinese" munchkin in a school production. Largely autobiographical, Lin says she wrote the book she wished she had growing up: one that mirrored her experience bridging two cultures. Small black and white decorations provide illustration of some of the Taiwanese cultural traditions. Family stories are also woven throughout.