Born: 14 June 1948 Birthplace: San Francisco, California

2. Laurence Yep Born: 14 June 1948 Birthplace: San Francisco, California Best known as: Author of the 1975 book Dragonwings Dragonwingsbook was named a Newbery Medal Honor Book and was the first of what became the Golden Mountain Chronicles -- nine books by Yep about Chinese immigrants in California.

3. Father emigrated to America from China at the age of ten • Yep'sfather had a grocery store • Although he did not live in Chinatown, Yep went to a bilingual school there

4. Autobiography (Auto=self, bio=life, graph=written) • True=Non-Fiction • First-Person point-of-view Memoir • Focuses on a specific event or time period in the author’s life, and includes the author’s feelings about those events • Memories that are important to the author’s life, or unusual

5. More Literary Terms Theme The meaning, life-lesson, or message the author is trying to get across to the reader Conflict A struggle between two forces Person vs. Nature Person vs. Person Person vs. Self What physical problem does Laurence have? What is Laurence’s relationship with his father? How does Laurence feel about himself?

6. Vocabulary Barricade Brusquely Fumigate Something that blocks the way In a short or abrupt way, almost rude Use fog or fumes to kill insects ineptitude improvise Make it up as you go along, without a plan Incompetence; not good at something

7. Vocabulary Mug Perpetual rationalize Slang word for face Going on for a long time, seeming like forever Make up an excuse for something to make yourself feel better ravage reserve Self-control in your behavior Serious damage or destruction