Good Fortune My Journey to Gold Mountain

by Wong, Li Keng

• ISBN13: 9781561454648
• ISBN10: 1561454648
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-10-07
• Publisher: Peachtree
• More Book Details
• Purchase Benefits

Summary

In 1933, seven-year-old Li Keng's life changed forever. Her father decided to bring his family from a small village in southern China to California. Getting to America was not easy. Getting past America's strict anti-Chinese immigration laws was even more difficult. To do so, the family had to keep secrets and offer well-rehearsed lies. Life in America during the Great Depression brought many exciting surprises as well as a few disappointments. Hunger, poverty, police raids, frequent moves, and the occasional sting of racism were a part of everyday life, but slowly Li Keng and her family found stability and a true home in "Gold Mountain." An author's note contains photos and an update on her family. The book contains information on Angel Island and its significance in history as well as an explanation of the Chinese Exclusion Act.

Author Biography

Li Keng Wong was born in China in 1926 and came to the United States when she was seven. The first person in her family to attend college, she taught elementary school in the San Francisco Bay area for more than thirty-five years. After her retirement, she often shared her family's immigration experiences with schools and community organizations. Good Fortune was her first book for young readers, and her story was featured in the Disney documentary, "The American Tapestry." She died in 2018.

Table of Contents

A Letter from Gold Mountain	p. 1
Waiting	p. 5
Joyful Times	p. 7
Mama's Story	p. 11
The Coaching Papers	p. 15
A Gold Mountain Guest	p. 19
On Our Way	p. 25
A Strange New World	p. 29
Aboard the SS Hoover	p. 35
Crossing the Pacific	p. 39
Locked Up	p. 43
A Sweet Surprise	p. 47
Yee's Interrogation	p. 49
Questions for Li Hong	p. 51
My Turn	p. 53
Good-bye to Angel Island	p. 55
Ferry to Freedom	p. 59
Welcome to Chinatown	p. 63
A Small Celebration	p. 67
Exploring Our New Home	p. 69
Back to School	p. 71
Homecoming	p. 75
A New Beginning	p. 77
Playing the Lottery	p. 81
A New Member of the Family	p. 85
A Red Egg Party	p. 87
Troubles	p. 91
Another Chance	p. 93
Life in Chinatown	p. 95
Ghosts	p. 99
Changes	p. 105
Helping the Family	p. 109
Dark Days	p. 113
A New Life	p. 117
Good Luck at Last	p. 121
A Very Special Year	p. 125
Author's Note	p. 129
More about Angel Island Immigration Station and the Chinese Exclusion Act	p. 133
For Further Information	p. 136
About the Author	p. 137
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