Summary

This chapter signals the first day of Shirley’s fifth grade school experience. Shirley only has completed three years of Chinese schooling and feels like she is missing out on knowing things because they are in the fifth grade. Shirley loves to be a part of the group, but doesn't know what anyone is saying, nor can she remember who is who because they are all different looking. To make matters worse, her mother tells her to do her very best because she is an ambassador, of sorts, for all Chinese people who've come to America. Shirley is worried about dishonoring her family. To top it all off, she doesn't understand the custom of 'winking' and does it all wrong, judging by the laughter when she tried it.

Analysis

Shirley is having a crash course on American behavior in school. Her mother tells her...