Project Mulberry

"A rich work that treats serious issues with warmth, respect, and a good deal of humor" (Kirkus starred review). Perfect for both independent reading and classroom sharing.

Julia Song and her friend Patrick would love to win a blue ribbon, maybe even two, at the state fair. They’ve always done projects together, and they work well as a team. This time, though, they’re having trouble coming up with just the right project. Then Julia’s mother offers a suggestion: They can raise silkworms, as she did when she was a girl in Korea.

Patrick thinks it’s a great idea. Of course there are obstacles—for example, where will they get mulberry leaves, the only thing silkworms eat?—but nothing they can’t handle.

Julia isn’t so sure. The club where kids do their projects is all about traditional American stuff, and raising silkworms just doesn’t fit in. Moreover, the author, Ms. Park, seems determined to make Julia’s life as complicated as possible, no matter how hard Julia tries to talk her out of it.

• Cultural Identity: Julia wants a “normal” American project, not one that highlights her Korean heritage in a town where her family is one of a kind.
• State Fair Competition: Julia and her best friend Patrick are determined to win a blue ribbon, but can their teamwork survive a project that pulls them in different directions?
• A Unique Narrator: This story has a secret: the main character, Julia, talks directly to the author and isn’t afraid to argue about how her own story is written!
• Hands-On Science: From finding rare mulberry leaves to facing the ethics of harvesting silk, this isn’t just a report—it’s an adventure in biology and problem-solving.
• Facing Prejudice: A thoughtful look at making friends across cultures and challenging the assumptions people make about one another.