Hazel Rochman (Booklist, Feb. 15, 2005 (Vol. 101, No. 12))
There are big issues in Park's latest novel--conservation, prejudice, patriotism, biology, and more. But the Newbery-winning writer never allows them to swamp the story; in fact, it's the compelling characters and their passionate differences and commitments that drive the plot. Julia Song doesn't want to do a silkworm project for the state fair. It's too Korean; she wants something American. But she becomes interested in caring for the eggs, the caterpillars, and the moths and then in sewing the silk thread. Kind, elderly Mr. Dixon donates the mulberry leaves the silkworms eat, but why is Mom against Julia spending time with him? Is it because he is black? The first-person narrative alternates with lively interchanges between Julia ("Me") and the author ("Ms. Park") about writing the story. The author's intrusion may distract some readers, but most children will be hooked by the funny, insightful conversations. There's no easy resolution, but the unforgettable family and friendship story, the quiet, almost unspoken racism, and the excitement of the science make this a great cross-curriculum title. Category: Books for Middle Readers--Fiction. 2005, Clarion, $16. Gr. 5-8. Starred Review

Sylvia Firth (Children's Literature)
Seventh-graders Julia and Patrick are fast friends who do almost everything together. After joining a new club they are determined to come up with an outstanding project that will enable them to win at least one blue ribbon at the state fair. Usually they have good ideas and work well together. But this time they face several hurdles and cannot seem to agree on a plan. Julia’s mother’s idea of raising silkworms is enthusiastically accepted by Patrick. Julia thinks it reflects only her Korean heritage and is not “American” enough. When Mr. Maxwell, their advisor, approves the concept, Julia reluctantly goes along even though she secretly keeps putting obstacles in the way of success. Soon Julia gets totally caught up in the project. Along the way she and Patrick learn a great deal about silkworms, friendship, patience and tolerance. A unique addition to the novel is conversation between the author and Julia. It appears as dialogue in between the chapters. This is a funny and well-written story that should appeal to middle schoolers. 2005, Clarion Books, $15.00. Ages 9 to 13.

CCBC (Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choices, 2006)
Julia and Patrick always work together on a project for the state fair. This year, they are having a hard time coming up with an idea that pleases them both. When Julia’s mother suggests they raise silkworms, as she did when she was growing up in Korea, Patrick embraces the idea wholeheartedly. Julia’s not so happy—raising silkworms doesn’t fit with the “all-American” projects usually found at the fair. As a member of the only Korean family in town, she’s uncomfortable drawing attention to her ethnicity. And the project isn’t easy—just where will they find the mulberry leaves the silkworms require as food? To add to her problems, Julia’s neglected to read through all the materials about raising silkworms—that’s Patrick’s job in their partnership—and she is shocked to discover killing the insects is a necessary component of the project. The absorbing story of the silkworm scheme provides a framework for a more subtle look at race and identity. By examining Julia’s mother’s discomfort when the only mulberry tree in town turns up on the lawn of an African American man, Linda Sue Park confronts a topic seldom seen in children’s books in this country: prejudice between non-Caucasian Americans. Brief sections between chapters relate a spirited dialogue between the character Julia and the novel’s author—an unusual and clever device that allows readers a unique perspective on a writer’s creative process. CCBC Category: Fiction for Children. 2005, Clarion, 225 pages, $16.00. Ages 9-12.

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, April 1, 2005 (Vol. 73, No. 7))
No obstacle, real or imagined, can stop Julia Song and her best friend Patrick from entering a community farming-club contest. The two friends decide to grow silkworms from eggs to pupae and spin the silk into thread. Between most chapters are vignettes-the story inside the story-in the form of discussions between the author and Julia, explaining the background for the story, how it developed and how Julia changes as the worms grow. Julia explores her anxiety about being "too Korean" and the confusing attitude about race that she sees when her mother meets Mr. Dixon, the older African-American man who generously shares his mulberry leaves with the children. The warm friendship between the two friends is the real story here-they work together, learn about silk, worms, embroidery, kimchee and life, make decisions about life and death (of the worms) and even learn to appreciate their sometimes irritating siblings. A rich work that treats serious issues with warmth, respect and a good deal of humor. 2005, Clarion, 240p, $16.00. Category: Fiction. Ages 9 to 12. Starred Review. © 2005 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Paula Rohrlick (KLIATT Review, March 2005 (Vol. 39, No. 2))
Seventh-graders Julia and Patrick decide to join an after-school club and work together on a project to be exhibited at the state fair. Julia's mother suggests raising silkworms, as her own grandmother did in Korea. Patrick is excited about this idea, but Julia worries that it's "too Korean"; she wants to fit into her midwestern town, not be different. Julia drags her feet, but Patrick's enthusiasm carries the day, especially when they locate a mulberry tree nearby, a source for the fresh mulberry leaves silkworms need to eat. The tree belongs to an elderly African-American man whom they befriend, though Julia suspects her mother harbors racist feelings toward black people. Gradually, Julia becomes more enthusiastic about the project, especially when the worms arrive and begin to grow. Even her pesky little brother turns out to be helpful with them. Patrick struggles with a phobia about worms; Julia struggles with her conscience when she realizes that they must kill some worms in order to get the silk thread she wants for part of the project. In the end, Project Mulberry is a success. Simple on the surface, this lively, engaging tale brings up many issues: friendship, racism, sibling relationships, and more. In addition, Park, the Newbery Medal-winning author of A Single Shard and other books for young readers, intersperses chapters of "dialog" between herself and Julia, giving the story behind the story: how and why she wrote the book. There is also enough information on silkworms here (including in the Author's Note at the end; Park did hands-on research) for readers to raise their own, if interested. A winning story, and an excellent choice for classroom discussions. Category: Hardcover Fiction. KLIATT Codes: J*--Exceptional book, recommended for junior high school students. 2005, Houghton Mifflin, Clarion, 232p. bibliog., $15.00. Ages 12 to 15.

Bonnie L. Raasch (Library Media Connection, October 2005)
Seventh-graders and best friends/neighbors Julia and Patrick must think of a school project. Patrick is enthusiastic for making silk from silkworms but Julia, who is Korean-American, is afraid the worm project is "too Asian." Julia relents, and first they must find the mulberry leaves that silkworms feed on. After hearing about Mr. Dixon, they go with Julia's mother to ask him if they can have leaves from his tree. When it is revealed that Mr. Dixon is black, Julia's mother's prejudice is obvious. The worms progress through their cycle until Julia is devastated because the pupae must be boiled in order to harvest the silk. Their project comes full-circle, they advance to the state fair, win second place, and their friendship is strengthened. The ups and downs of Julia and Patrick's friendship will hit home for any middle school student. The prejudice issue with Julia's mother is not developed, but lends a twist of irony-Julia is worried about prejudice toward her Korean ethnicity while her mother is displaying prejudice toward African Americans. A unique writing strategy, of two-page dialogue between Julia and the author, is incorporated between each chapter. Through these conversations, the reader finds out more about Julia's character, how and why the author develops the story the way she does, and autobiographical information about Linda Sue Park (she actually has a worm phobia!). Recommended. 2005, Clarion Books, 240pp., $15 hc. Ages 10 to 13.

Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, Fall 2005)
Initially reluctant because she is embarrassed by her Korean heritage, seventh-grader Julia warms to her 4-H-like project of raising silk worms. But when she learns that she must kill the worms to reap the silk, she faces difficult moral choices. Park undermines her engaging novel with metafictional conversations between herself and Julia that interrupt the narrative flow. Category: Intermediate Fiction. 2005, Clarion, 225pp, 16.00. Ages 9 to 12. Rating: 3: Recommended, satisfactory in style, content, and/or illustration.

Alexis Cuff (The Kutztown University Book Review, Spring 2006)
Julia Song and her friend Patrick are members of the Wiggle Club - an after school club designed to teach children about farming. The annual fair is coming soon and the two will need a project for the competition. Julie's mother suggested raising silk worms but Julie was unhappy with the idea because it was so "Korean" and she wanted an American idea. Although she tried her best to halt the project, they carried on with the silk worm project and Julie learned a few things about herself and her family. I really loved this book. Written by a Newbery Winner (A Single Shard), Ms. Park has created a unique work that not only tells an interesting story but also allows the reader to "eavesdrop" on the thoughts of the author and her main character. Between each regular chapter, Ms. Park goes behind the scenes and gives the reader a peek at what an author thinks about while they develop a plot and how some characters seem to come alive to the author. The story also instructs the reader on the life and habits of a silkworm and the beautiful thread that it makes. Prejudice is also introduced as this Korean family interacts with other races in America. The story teaches about teamwork, overcoming obstacles, and writer's craft in a very entertaining way. I highly recommend this book. Category: Fiction. 2005, Clarion Books, $16.00. Ages 9 to 14.

Virginia Gleaton (The Lorgnette - Heart of Texas Reviews (Vol. 18, No. 3))
This story concerns a young Korean girl and a young boy. The two are best friends and are doing a school project together. They decide upon a suggestion from Julia’s mother--raise silkworms and use the silk to produce something. Julia is really against this project from the beginning--too Korean she thinks, though the main reason she and Patrick have become friends is because he loves the smell and the taste of a Korean pickled cabbage called kimchee. After the project is decided, they find out that they must have mulberry leaves (the only diet of the silkworms). They manage to find one man that has a mulberry tree, and he agrees to let them have leaves from his tree. When they go to meet him, he is African American. This does not sit very well with Julia’s mother--a lesson in racism from another perspective! All goes well until the worms have woven their cocoons and Julia discovers that they must boil and therefore kill the worms. She finally comes around to agreeing to finish the project but with some hesitation. This is a super book that all students will understand and find enjoyable. Fiction. Grades n/a. 2005, Clarion Books, 225p., $16.00.