Review of “Project Mulberry,” by Linda Sue Park

“Project Mulberry,” by Linda Sue Park is a junior novel about a surprisingly enthralling science fair project.

The two main characters are Julia Song and her friend Patrick. They have always worked on school projects together but this time they have a more important goal: win the blue ribbon at the school science fair. The only problem is that they need an idea that is sufficiently interesting. Then Julia’s mother suggests that they raise silkworms and harvest the silk like she did when she was a young girl in Korea.

Patrick immediately accepts the idea wholeheartedly, but Julia is a little more hesitant. In her own words the project seems “a little too Korean.” Julia wants a “red, white, and blue” American project. As the project progresses the two children must find solutions to the problems that stand in their way. Where are they going to find Mulberry leaves to feed the silkworms? How are they going to keep Julia’s little brother from ruining the project? Will they really have to kill the silkworms to harvest the silk?

I felt that “Project Mulberry” was a superbly crafted novel. Author Linda Sue Park does an excellent job in breathing life into her characters, until they take on a mind of their own so to speak. Between almost every chapter Ms. Park engages in dialogue with her free spirited character Julia, in the process revealing details about how the idea behind “Project Mulberry” began and where the characters came from. I would be inclined to recommend “Project Mulberry” on the strength of this fascinating feature alone, but fortunately the book also a funny yet fascinating plot that teaches valuable lessons. “Project Mulberry” is a book that young readers are sure to enjoy.

Books For Sale Rating:

Plot

Characters

Presentation

Overall