“Books Inc. approached the SF Public Library about becoming a sponsor of One City One Book because we thought it would be something that our customers would get behind,
and we thought it was a fantastic opportunity for San Francisco. The response and enthusiasm of our customers over China Boy and One City One Book has been overwhelming--listening to the buzz, the discussions, and receiving emails
and telephone calls about the project has been most exciting. Books Inc. thinks it's important that bookstores work with the SF Public Library to promote literacy and literature in San Francisco”
- Philip Prock, Community Relations Manager, Books Inc.
“I believe One City One Book is the kind of program that can thrive in San Francisco. We're an unquestionably literary-minded and literary-appreciative community here.
And as the reaction to China Boy seems to point out, we're open to hearing the stories and voices maybe other parts of the country would be reluctant to listen to.”
- Oscar Villalon, San Francisco Chronicle Book Editor
“I am very proud of all of you for the great job you are doing on the One City One Book program.”
- Susan Hildreth, State Librarian of California
“At our Excelsior Branch Library event, it was heartening to see so many people waiting on line for Gus Lee
to sign their books and have a few personal moments with him. …it was a most wonderful program and I am glad that the Excelsior Library participated in the One City One Book magic.”
- Terry Gwiazdowski, Excelsior Branch Manager
“Gus is a very engaging speaker and I was very impressed with the way he could really relate to and work with the students.
They seemed to enjoy the book talk very much. A few students even stayed after the bell rang for lunch to shake Gus's hand and ask him a few more questions. I know he made a lasting impressing with many of the students and I am grateful for that.”
- Kristen Mitchell, Thurgood Marshall High School
“China Boy and the City Guides walking tour gave me real insight into the history of my adopted neighborhood North of the Panhandle. Gus Lee in conversation was such a delight - comic, humble, and utterly inspirational!”
- Kaity
“The teens “…seemed to really enjoy their discussion with Tim. They were engrossed in conversation well over an hour!”
- Leigh Lehman, 826 Valencia Program Director
“I think this is a great idea. I really like the (San Francisco novels) book list and plan to start soon.”
- Phebe B.
“I read the book for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed it. It had special meaning to me since I am a 55 year-old
Chinese American who was born and raised in S.F. The event conjured up many forgotten and happy childhood memories. The handout with reading hints and questions was very helpful.
It made me read the book slower than I would usually do and thus I read it with more thought and analysis and enjoy it even more. All in all, I consider the One City One Book a great success.
It was very enjoyable to have a month-long experience of reading a good book, walking in an unfamiliar neighborhood that I would not normally be doing, talking and exchanging points of
view with other people, and meeting the author.
Thank you and I look forward to the next One City One Book event.”
- Clifford L.
“I love the idea! Absolutely fabulous and got me to read a book that I put on the back burner.”
- Melissa
“What a knockout. An incredibly rich and new voice for American literature…China Boy grabs the reader’s heart and won’t let go…a wonder of a story.”
- Amy Tan
“If the book jacket had mentioned boxing I wouldn't have bought the book, wouldn't have read it, and would have missed one of my favorite recent reads…Gus Lee captures
the language of the City kids very well, and gives a glimpse of a City very unlike the one I know…a great pick for One City One Book.”
- Cheryl Brinkman
“Readers will weep with Kai when he's locked out of the house and left as prey to the McAllister street bullies. They'll laugh with him when he confuses English idioms
and ethnic street slang. They'll root heartily for him during his survival training at the Y where he transforms his body into a disciplined fighting machine, and cheer loudly when he learns to deal with the ghosts who haunt him.”
- Dolores M. Steinhauer, School Library Journal
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