The Quail Club (review)

This companion novel to The Gold-Threaded Dress (BCCB 6/02) continues the story of Oy, who came to the United States from Thailand at age five. Now in the fifth grade, Oy finds the struggle to be "American" isn't getting any easier, especially when it comes to friendship. When her teacher announces a school talent show, Oy decides she wants to do a Thai dance and wear her gold-threaded dress; that is, until the bossy Liliandra (leader of the Quail Club, a hand-selected group of fifth grade girls who are collectively caring for baby quail) demands that Oy dance an American dance with her, threatening to kick her out of the club if she doesn't agree. The pending talent show serves as a nice device for Oy's exploration of identity; her family expects her to be Thai, Liliandra expects her to be American, and Oy isn't quite sure what she wants to be. There's a somewhat old-fashioned feel to the story (as in when Oy watches American dance videos for the first time and is shocked by the scantily clad dancers) that may turn off contemporary audiences, and there's nothing really novel about the plot development, which replicates the trajectory of the first book. While Oy is a likable young woman, readers are likely to find themselves frustrated by her ceaseless patience with and kindness towards the highly overrated Liliandra, who never really proves herself a friend worth having. Still, the book's slim size and familiar subject matter make this a likely choice for upper elementary readers dealing with the ins and outs of their own clique arrangements. A Thai glossary is included.