Shirley Wong

Shirley Wong is the main protagonist in the book. She and her mother come from China to America to be with her father. Shirley starts fifth grade not soon after she arrives in the new country. The language and social barriers are the main obstacles that Shirley will have to overcome. She has problems making friends and this causes her to become isolated from everyone in her new class. She is very lonely at first but eventually starts to understand how American people and society work and she makes friends. Eventually she makes friends and becomes a top student in her school. Shirley loves baseball and is the Dodgers number one fan. By the winter break of her sixth grade year, she ends up meeting her idol, Jackie Robinson

Mother Wong

Shirley’s mother is a fierce mother who is easily frightened over little things and worries...