Book Review: Coolies

Yin. Coolies. New York: Puffin Books, 2001.

Coolies is a story about two brothers, Shek and Wong, leaving China and starting a new life in America. The two brothers were forced to leave China because of a terrible rebellion against the government during the mid-eighteen hundreds. The two brothers moved to America to work on for the Central Pacific Railroad Company and earn money for the rest of their family back in China. Life was very hard in America for the Chinese workers who were often discriminated against and called “Coolies”. The American employers were very harsh to the brothers along with many other Chinese workers and refused to pay them the same amount as other workers. The workers wanted to strike but were forced to work or starve and be sent back to China. During a harsh winter Shek got stuck under an avalanche of snow and almost died. He was rescued by his younger brother Wong! Finally in 1869 the railroads were finished and the two brothers took their earning and settled in San Francisco California. Later after saving more money, the brothers were able to bring the rest of their family over from China. The story ends with the two brother’s great-grandson lighting a fire to honor his ancestors.

First and foremost, Coolies offers readers an excellent historically accurate portrayal of what life was like for Chinese-American immigrants back in the mid nineteenth century. Through this picture book young readers can truly see the impact and contributions Chinese Americans made to the construction of the Central Pacific Railroad. The picture book even contains a detailed author’s note that describes the true struggles of Chinese-American railroad workers. This representation can help break down the stereotype that Chinese-Americans are weak and were not an important part of America’s history. It also provides readers with a positive depiction of two brothers working together and becoming successful American’s immersed in a new culture. The two characters are even successful enough to bring their family over from China to start a new life in San Francisco. These positive portrayals that help erase harmful stereotypes make this a good piece of diverse literature.