Yep, Laurence. 1999. The amah. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons. ISBN: 0-399-23040-8.
The Amah by Laurence Yep is set in modern-day America. Amy Chin is the oldest child in her family of four (or five). Her mother is recently widowed. Since her father's death, the family has undergone tremendous strain�especially financially. Amy loves to take ballet. She has the role of one of Cinderella's step-sisters in an upcoming production. The novel begins with Amy rushing home from ballet. Her mother is trying to get a job as an amah or nanny in the home of a wealthy white family. When her mother gets the job�Amy's troubles begin. Amy is expected to babysit her brothers and sisters after school every day�and miss some ballet lessons!�fix their supper if she's running late, and to make sure that everyone's homework gets done. Her mother returns home from work each day with glowing words of praise for Stephanie�the girl she is taking care of. Stephanie is painted as a perfect girl. A girl who would never be disobedient to her mother. A girl who would always show proper respect. Amy doesn't care for her mother's new "favorite." She is jealous. She begins to fear that maybe she really is the "horribly jealous" step-sister. Stephanie wins over her siblings by giving them lavish presents�food, comics, etc. Amy is presented with hand-me-down clothes. She doesn't like being the object of "pity" by some white girl. She'd rather wear her own clothes (that are shabby) than to take the rejects of a white girl. But she accepts the clothes at the firm insistence of her mother, and writes prompt thank you notes. The book shows the struggle between mother and daughter�and the struggle between Amy and Stephanie. Amy feels that her mother doesn't love her. Her mother never compliments her. Her mother never lavishes praise on her. But she can't stop praising Stephanie. She feels that her mother loves Stephanie more than her. Her mother, on the other hand, feels that she is showing her love to her daughter by working. Without this job, she could not afford to keep her daughter in ballet lessons. She feels that her actions speak much louder than her words. The novel concludes with mother and daughter coming to an understanding. Both overcome some communication problems. Stephanie and Amy learn how to get along and be friends. Stephanie is only acting "perfect" to live up to her father's high standards. She feels that if she isn't perfect, her father won't love her anymore. Stephanie and Amy learn a lot from one another.
Yep's work is wonderful, and this book is no exception. He shows the struggle between one's Asian heritage (Chinese) and the American culture. This book is interesting in that it revolves around the theme of jealousy�using the story of Cinderella. Amy is jealous of Stephanie. Stephanie is wealthy. She lives in a mansion. She travels the world. She's seen many productions of realballet and theatre. She can have anything that money can buy. She doesn�t have to take care of any younger siblings (she's an only child). She doesn't even have to go to a regular school; she has tutors. Amy is, of course, jealous of all the attention and praise Stephanie receives from her mother. Stephanie, is also jealous. Stephanie envies Amy. She sees how loving and caring her family is. She is an only child. She doesn't have anyone to play with. Her father travels constantly; he is negligent. She may have material things, but she doesn't have people to share them with. She is lonely. She is isolated. She wants Amy's life. She sees Amy has lots of friends. She sees how loved Amy is by her family, her friends, and her neighbors. She would gladly trade her life for Amy's. Through their interactions both learn that no one is really "perfect."
This book is enjoyable. I would recommend it along with any of Yep's other works.
Culture Five focuses on Asian American literature for children and young adults. Selected readings were as follows: