The Star Fisher
by Laurence Yep
I
t is 1927. Joan Lee, the oldest
daughter in a Chinese American
family, describes the challenges of
moving from Ohio to West Virginia,
where, unfortunately, racial slurs
and vandalism welcome the family
to town. Even school is a struggle
for Joan until she meets Bernice and
discovers that she’s not the only one
looking for acceptance and friendship.
As they struggle to live between two
cultures, Joan and her family learn a lot
about their neighbors and, ultimately,
themselves.
Reading Level (Lexile) 850L
Format/Length Chapter book, 240 pages
Picture Support None
Language Register Familiar, conversational
Content Load Family life, work, school, culture
Related Skills
• Vocabulary
Structural Clues: Latin and Greek Roots
• Comprehension and Critical Thinking
Sequence
• Literary Analysis
Analyze Story Elements: Narrator’s Point of View
• Reading and Learning Strategies
Paraphrase
Monitor Reading
Selected Awards
NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade
Book
Christopher Award
IRA Teachers’ Choices
About the Author
Laurence Yep has written over 60 books and is a Newbery Honor winner
for Dragonwings (1976) and Dragon’s Gate (1994). His stories often reflect
his own experiences growing up as a Chinese American. Several of the
events in The Star Fisher are based on Yep’s family history. For example,
like Mr. Lee in the story, his grandfather did have a laundry in Clarksburg,
West Virginia; and there was a woman like Miss Lucy who welcomed new
immigrant families.
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The Star Fisher
Think About What You Know
Cultural Backgrounds To help students understand how the
Lee family feels about belonging to two different cultures:
• Briefly describe your family background or heritage. Call on
volunteers to describe theirs.
• Next, define culture: Culture includes your art, beliefs,
customs, food, music, and clothing. All of these things are
part of your cultural background. Usually you are born into
one culture, but often you live in another. Many of us have
backgrounds that include parts of more than one culture.
• Then have students use Student Journal, page 3 to describe
their cultural background and how they feel about it.
Preview and Predict
Have students look at the front cover, read the title, and then
read the summary on the back cover. Say:
• Why don’t people welcome the Lees to Clarksburg, West
Virginia? How do you think Joan feels about moving there?
Then point out The Exchange question on the title page: What
are the challenges of living in two cultures? Explain that when
they finish reading, they’ll share their ideas about this and
other questions with a group.
Next, have students complete Student Journal, page 3 to
preview the book and make predictions about the events.
Student Journal, page 3
Prepare to Read
Think About What You Know
What is your cultural background? Tell about it.
Preview and Predict
• Look at the front cover.
• Read the book summary on the back cover.
• Read The Exchange question on the title page.
1. Look at the title. In the story, Joan tells about a magical creature called
a star fisher who can live both on the earth and in the sky. How do you
think Joan is like the star fisher?
2. The Lees came to Clarksburg to start a new life and a new business. Do you
think they’ll stay? Why or why not?
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The Star Fisher
Use a Reading Strategy
Story Map Preview the graphic organizer on Student Journal,
page 4 with students. Explain that as they read The Star Fisher,
they can complete the Map to show what happens when the Lees
move to a new town. Have students add to their Maps after they
finish reading each section.
Student Journal, page 4
Use a Reading Strategy
Use a Story Map
As you read each part of The Star Fisher, use a Story Map to show what
happens when the Lees move to a new town.
Beginning
Chapters 1–2
The family moved to West Virginia. They spoke
two languages.
Chapters 3–4
Mister Snuff painted something mean on the fence. Joan
told the star fisher story.
Middle
Chapters 5–6
The children went to school. The girls at school were mean
to Joan. Joan met Bernice.
Chapters 7–8
The girls had tea with Miss Lucy. Joan fought with Mama.
Chapters 9–10
Joan went to Bernice’s house. Miss Lucy and Mama
became friends.
End
Chapters 11–12
Mama practiced cooking and English. She sold a pie at
the social.
Chapters 13–14
Joan and Bernice made new friends. The laundry
became busy.
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The Star Fisher
Read the Book
Form the group that will read The Star Fisher. Plan how the group
will read and respond. Some options are:
• Read with a Group Group members read an agreed-upon
number of pages, complete the corresponding Student Journal
page(s), and meet to discuss. When they finish the book, they
meet again for The Exchange. The group can use the planner
on Student Journal, page 2 to establish meeting times.
• Read Independently Group members read the book on their
own and then meet for The Exchange. The group can use the
planner on Student Journal, page 2 to establish the meeting time.
• Guided Reading Read aloud the summary at the beginning
of each chapter to give students an overview of the chapter.
Use the Before You Move On questions to check comprehension
as students read. Use Look Ahead to set a focus for reading
the next set of pages. At the end of each section, assign the
appropriate Student Journal page. Discuss the page before
starting the next section. Establish a date for The Exchange and
record it on the planner.
Whichever option you choose, use pages 5–11 for an at-a-glance
view of Student Journal pages, as well as answers to the Before
You Move On questions.
Student Journal, page 2
Plan Your Schedule
My group members are:
We plan to read The Star Fisher and meet on these dates:
Chapters
Date We Will Finish Reading
Date We Will Discuss
1–2
3–4
5–6
7–8
9–10
11–12
13–14
Our Exchange meeting will be on this date:
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The Star Fisher
Student Journal, page 5
Pages 7–41
Chapters 1– 2
Pages 7–41
Respond to Chapters 1–2
ANSWERS TO “BEFORE YOU MOVE ON”
Story Map
Review what happened in Chapters 1–2. Fill in the Story Map on Journal
page 4.
PAGE 12
1. Text Features The book has English dialogue in italics and
Chinese dialogue without italics. Why?
It helps the reader to know which language people are speaking in.
2. Plot Reread pages 10–11. Why did the family move to
Clarksburg?
To open a big laundry and have more business than in Ohio.
Think It Over
Think about what you read and answer these questions.
1. Personal Response Miss Lucy liked to talk to people. She said that people
were her hobby. What is a hobby you have? Explain.
2. Narrator’s Point of View Joan is the character who narrated the story about
her family. How would the story have been different if Mama had told it?
The reader would have known more about how Mama
felt, what she thought, and about being a Chinese
American adult.
PAGE 22
1. Conflict Reread pages 14–15. Why did Mister Snuff yell at
Joan and her family?
Because they were Chinese.
2. Character’s Point of View Reread pages 21–22. Why did Joan
feel like a monkey in a zoo?
She could see people staring at her. She felt different
and strange.
3. Opinion Would you have liked to have tea at Miss Lucy’s house? Why or
why not?
PAGE 32
1. Character Reread pages 28–30. What was Miss Lucy like?
She was very friendly; welcoming; had a good sense of humor;
treated the girls like equals.
2. Conclusions Joan said that she didn’t feel strange or different
at Miss Lucy’s. Why not?
Miss Lucy treated everyone the same.
PAGE 41
1. Cause and Effect Reread pages 33–34. Why was Emily
afraid to ask about the place setting?
She had been teased in the past because she didn’t know
all of the American customs.
2. Conclusions Why wasn’t Miss Lucy mad about the broken
tea cup?
She had many cups. She cared more about friendship than
the cups.
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The Star Fisher
Student Journal, page 6
Pages 42–75
Chapters 3– 4
Pages 42–75
Respond to Chapters 3– 4
ANSWERS TO “BEFORE YOU MOVE ON”
Story Map
Review what happened in Chapters 3–4. Fill in the Story Map on Journal
page 4.
PAGE 49
1. Comparisons Why did Miss Lucy invite the family over for
dinner? Why did Mama think she invited them?
Miss Lucy was being nice and neighborly. Mama thought
Miss Lucy wanted to raise the rent.
2. Summarize Reread page 46. How did Joan feel about
translating?
Sometimes it made her feel confused; also frustrated because she
often had to translate for her parents.
Think It Over
Think about what you read and answer these questions.
1. Personal Response Miss Lucy wanted to help the Lees by inviting them to
dinner, but Papa refused. Tell about a time you offered to help someone,
but they didn’t want your help. What happened?
2. Sequence What happened to the star fisher after she married the farmer?
Write your answer. Include as many details as you can.
The star fisher could not return to her sisters and had to
live where she did not belong; her daughter was born
and was a star fisher, too. The star fishers then found a
way to go back to the sky.
PAGE 57
1. Character’s Feelings Papa was angry about the modern era
in China. Why?
In modern China education wasn’t respected.
2. Cause and Effect Why was Bobby trying to wash the fence?
Mr. Snuff and his friends had painted a mean message on it.
3. Paraphrase On page 56, Papa said that “the nail that sticks out gets
hammered.” What does this proverb mean? How could it be both good
and bad to listen to this advice?
It means that if you are different, you might get hurt. It
is good advice because it can keep you from getting hurt.
It is bad advice because you might not ever try something
different.
PAGE 65
1. Setting Reread pages 62–64. What made the house scary?
It was big and old; it creaked; a tree was beating against
the window.
2. Character Reread pages 62–64. What did Joan’s actions
toward Emily tell you about Joan?
Joan cares about Emily; she is loving and kind.
PAGE 75
1. Cause and Effect Joan told a story about a star fisher. What
caused the star fisher to marry the farmer?
The farmer hid her cloak and tricked her into marrying him.
2. Character’s Point of View Reread page 73. Why was the star
fisher’s daughter unhappy?
She was different from the other people; they whispered and
pointed at her; she didn’t belong.
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The Star Fisher
Student Journal, page 7
Pages 76–109
Chapters 5– 6
Pages 76–109
Respond to Chapters 5–6
ANSWERS TO “BEFORE YOU MOVE ON”
Story Map
Review what happened in Chapters 5–6. Fill in the Story Map on Journal
page 4.
PAGE 86
1. Character’s Motive Joan was mad because Mama made her
go to the store. Why didn’t Mama want to go?
Mama was embarrassed because she did not have
much money.
2. Paraphrase Reread pages 83–84. Tell in your own words why
Jane refused Mr. Edgar’s offer to give their family credit.
She knew it would be too embarrassing for her father; she wanted
to protect the family.
Think It Over
Think about what you read and answer these questions.
1. Personal Response Emily and Bobby made friends easily, but Joan did not.
Have you ever had a hard time making friends? Why?
2. Paraphrase On page 80, Joan said her anger was armor against curious
looks from other people. Tell in your own words what she meant.
Joan was so angry that other people’s curiosity didn’t
affect her.
PAGE 98
1. Character’s Point of View Reread page 95. What did Joan like
about school? Why?
She liked being acknowledged for doing something right. At home,
she didn’t get praise.
2. Cause and Effect Reread pages 96–97. Why was Ann mean to
Joan in their physical education class?
Because Joan correctly answered a question that Ann got wrong.
Ann was jealous.
PAGE 109
1. Comparisons Joan and Bernice became friends. How were
they the same?
They both had lived somewhere else. They were both outcasts.
2. Cause and Effect Why didn’t Joan walk home with Bernice?
She thought Bernice was embarrassed to be seen with her.
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3. Monitor Reading Reread Joan’s conversation with Miss Blake on pages
90–92. Choose a part of what you just read that was difficult to understand.
Then summarize it. Write your summary.
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The Star Fisher
Student Journal, page 8
Pages 110–136
Chapters 7–8
Pages 110–136
Respond to Chapters 7–8
ANSWERS TO “BEFORE YOU MOVE ON”
Story Map
Review what happened in Chapters 7–8. Fill in the Story Map on Journal
page 4.
PAGE 119
1. Conclusions Reread pages 110–111. Was the laundry business
successful? Explain.
No. Customers did not come; they might not want to use a
Chinese laundry.
2. Paraphrase Tell what Joan meant when she said she knew
how the star fisher felt.
She knew what it was like to live in two worlds and see the world
through two different sets of eyes.
Think It Over
Think about what you read and answer these questions.
1. Personal Response Joan had more than one role in her family. She was
a daughter to her parents, but she was like a parent to Emily and Bobby.
What roles do you have in your family?
2. Perspectives In Chapter 8, Mama fought with Miss Lucy and with Joan.
What would you have done if you were Mama? Explain.
PAGE 127
1. Summarize Reread page 124. Tell how Miss Lucy helped the
Union troops during the war.
She carried messages for them as a spy.
2. Comparisons How were Joan and Miss Lucy alike? How were
they different?
They both had to move when they were young; neither
of them felt accepted. Miss Lucy had no family; Joan had
her family.
PAGE 136
1. Plot Reread pages 134–135. Why did Joan and Mama start
to fight?
Mama was trying to make Joan translate mean words to
Miss Lucy.
2. Inference Reread page 136. Why did Mama cry?
Because she was angry at Joan, but ashamed of slapping her.
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3. Latin and Greek Roots The word philosophy comes from Greek and means
“love of wisdom.” Phil means “love of” and soph means “wisdom.” Read
the sentence with philosophy on page 110. Why would Papa be reading a
book about philosophy? What does philosopher mean? Use a dictionary if
you need to.
Because he loved to learn and to ask a lot of questions.
Philosopher: Someone who seeks to understand nature
and life.
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The Star Fisher
Student Journal, page 9
Pages 137–168
Chapters 9–10
Pages 137–168
Respond to Chapters 9–10
ANSWERS TO “BEFORE YOU MOVE ON”
Story Map
Review what happened in Chapters 9–10. Fill in the Story Map on Journal
page 4.
PAGE 143
1. Comparisons Bernice lived in a bad part of town. How did
Joan feel about it? Would Ann have felt differently?
Joan thought it was brave to live there. Ann would have thought it
was pathetic.
2. Summarize Reread pages 140–143. Describe Bernice’s family.
What were they like?
Nana Lil was nice, but strange. Cousin Johnny was a drunk.
Josephine was young and sick.
Think It Over
Think about what you read and answer these questions.
1. Personal Response Joan felt like the star fisher’s daughter. Think of a story
you have heard. How are you like a character in the story? How are you
different?
2. Paraphrase On page 167, Mama said, “You can be a stranger in your own
family.” What did she mean?
You can feel like you don’t know your own family
members because you are all different.
PAGE 153
1. Cause and Effect Bernice came from a family of theater
performers. How did this affect her life? Why?
People thought she was bad because it was not respectable to be in
the theater.
2. Summarize Reread page 152. How did Joan feel after she
went to visit Bernice?
She felt her problems were petty; that Bernice had more problems
than she did.
PAGE 168
1. Cause and Effect Why did Joan tell Mama about Miss Lucy’s
family? How did the information affect Mama?
She wanted Miss Lucy and Mama to be friends. Mama agreed to let
Miss Lucy help with cooking.
2. Paraphrase Tell in your own words what Joan meant when
she said, “It was important to meet with the person and not
the notion.”
You should actually talk to a person instead of judging them by your
ideas or thoughts about them.
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3. Generalization Joan and Bernice both felt that people were embarrassed
to be seen with them. Why is it wrong to make assumptions about how
other people feel?
Because you never really know how people feel
until you ask them. You could be wrong.
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The Star Fisher
Student Journal, page 10
Pages 169–208
Chapters 11–12
Pages 169–208
Respond to Chapters 11–12
ANSWERS TO “BEFORE YOU MOVE ON”
Story Map
Review what happened in Chapters 11–12. Fill in the Story Map on Journal
page 4.
PAGE 176
1. Character Mama tried to speak in English without Joan’s help.
What does this show about Mama?
She was trying to be more independent and more American.
2. Character’s Motive Reread page 174. Why did Reverend
Bobson want pies?
He was having a pie social to raise money.
Think It Over
Think about what you read and answer these questions.
1. Personal Response Joan and her family had never been to a pie social
before. Tell about a time you went to an event that was not part of your
culture. How did you feel about it?
2. Conclusions Mama knew her pies tasted bad. Why did she want to donate
a pie to the social anyway?
PAGE 185
1. Character’s Motive Mama wanted to give Reverend Bobson a
pie. Why didn’t Joan want her to?
She knew Mama’s pies tasted bad; she didn’t want the family to be
more embarrassed.
2. Paraphrase In your own words, tell what Mama meant when
she said, “I shame you if I do, and I shame you if I don’t.”
Joan got upset when Mama didn’t try to be more American, but
when she did try, Joan still got upset.
She was a proud person. She wanted to participate. She
thought she could learn how to make a good pie in time
for the social.
3. Character’s Motive Why did the woman with the silver-blue hair want
Bernice to leave the church?
She was prejudiced. She thought the church would be
better without theater people in it.
PAGE 198
1. Conclusions How did the children want to ruin Mama’s pie?
Why didn’t their plan work?
They wanted Joan to drop it. Mama wouldn’t let anyone
carry it.
2. Inference Why didn’t the people at the church want to buy
Mama’s pie?
She was Chinese and different. They didn’t like her.
PAGE 208
1. Conclusions Mama’s pie tasted good. How could you tell?
Everyone wanted a piece. They complimented Mama and
ate it all.
2. Cause and Effect What caused Joan to let Bernice try
Mama’s pie?
Joan thought about the star fisher and realized she needed courage.
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The Star Fisher
Student Journal, page 11
Pages 209–240
Chapters 13–14
Pages 209–240
Respond to Chapters 13–14
ANSWERS TO “BEFORE YOU MOVE ON”
Story Map
Review what happened in Chapters 13–14. Fill in the Story Map on Journal
page 4.
PAGE 218
1. Comparisons How was Joan’s first day at school after the
pie social different from usual?
Havana, Florie, and Henrietta talked to her and were nice
to her.
2. Character Joan wanted Bernice to join her new group of
friends. What does this tell you about Joan?
She was a true friend. She still wanted to be friends with Bernice
even though the other girls didn’t like her.
Think It Over
Think about what you read and answer these questions.
1. Personal Response Miss Lucy defended Joan’s family against Mister Snuff
and his friends. Have you ever defended someone? What happened? How
did it make you feel?
2. Conclusions What did Miss Lucy want the sheriff to do about Mister Snuff?
Why didn’t the sheriff want to do it?
To arrest him. The sheriff was worried that Mister Snuff
would do worse things if he was arrested.
PAGE 229
1. Cause and Effect How did Miss Lucy make the men leave?
She hit one of the men; then she threatened to tell an embarrassing
story about another.
2. Character’s Motive Reread pages 220–221. Why didn’t the
sheriff arrest the men?
The men had many friends that could hurt Miss Lucy if they went to
jail. He wanted to be reelected.
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PAGE 240
1. Summarize Reread page 233. How did Miss Lucy convince
people to use the laundry?
She told people they shouldn’t let Sidney speak for them;
that they should be nice.
2. Paraphrase Reread page 239. Tell in your own words what
Joan meant when she said they would always be Chinese in
their hearts.
She meant they would always know inside that they were still
Chinese even if they became more American.
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3. Perspectives If you were Miss Lucy, how would you have acted toward
Mister Snuff? Explain.
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The Star Fisher
Allow time for groups to meet for The Exchange. If you plan to participate, use
these tips for guiding students in discussing the big question:
What are the challenges of living in two cultures?
How would Joan’s life be different if she had been born in China?
She would have grown up in the Chinese culture. She probably would have been more
like her mother and father. She would not have cared as much about American things
and customs.
Mama feels unsure about learning American customs. Why? Tell about a
time you had to learn something new.
She was raised in China. American ways are foreign to her. She is used to the
traditions of her family and upbringing.
Joan wants to learn American customs and remember her Chinese culture,
too. Some people move to a new place and want to forget their old cultures.
Why do you think they would do this?
Extend the Reading
Write a Paragraph
Interview Miss Lucy
Making Judgments
Have students compare and
contrast Mama and Joan.
Who suffered the most
in Clarksburg? Are their
personalities the same or
different? Encourage students
to use words such as both,
same, but, and different to
show the comparisons.
Partners can set up an
interview with Miss Lucy.
Have them ask questions
about her background and
feelings for the Lees, Sidney
Skags, and Hank Barlow.
Then one student can roleplay Miss Lucy while the
other interviews her.
Help students recall that
the Lees and Bernice
were treated badly at
first because they were
different. Then invite
small groups to discuss
the question: How do you
judge people? What do
you look for in a person?
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