Lunar New Year Love Story

Share this book

Valentina loved celebrating Valentine’s Day until her freshman year, when her classmates made fun of her homemade cards and her dad told her she was too old to be making valentines on behalf of the mother she never knew. Talk with students about Val’s motivations for bringing love to everyone on Valentine’s Day and the wishes she makes for each recipient. When things change, how does Val process her thoughts and feelings about the people in her life? What insights are readers given into many of the characters' relationships?

Have students build on those insights by creating love letters on behalf of characters in Lunar New Year Love Story. Students can choose to write a letter from one character to another or to have the character they choose write a love letter to themselves. The letter should show that students understand their character and the story. After they have drafted their letters, have students take inspiration from Val’s early love of making valentines and hand write their letters on nice paper or in a card they make. Encourage graphic touches that reflect the character who is doing the writing. Collect love letters in a decorated shoe box and choose some to read aloud and share with the class.

Questions for Discussion or Reflective Writing

1. What did you like about Valentina? What did you learn about love from Valentina? What makes Valentina so resilient? 
2. What does it mean to love? What does it take to be willing to love? Do you believe that people can be “unlucky in love?” Why or why not?
3. How did you initially feel about Les? How did Valentina and Jae complement each other? What realizations did Jae have about love and Valentina? How do you know when someone is open to being loved? 
4. What is the significance of the lion dance? What does performing the lion dance offer Valentina? What revelations do Valentina and Jae take away from the lion dance?
5. How would you describe Valentina’s relationship with her father? How does that change when she learns the truth about her mother? What would your reaction have been?
6. What does it mean to be estranged? How would you describe Valentina’s relationship with her grandmother? What are Val’s grandmother's views on love? Who are the elders in your life who give you relationship advice?
7. Why do the chapters have different color themes? What did these colors represent and how did they help you understand what the characters were feeling?

Related Resources

Lunar New Year Love Story Graphic Novel / Graphic Format Multi-Leveled Lesson from TeachingBooks
Yau Kung Moon Richard Ow - Drum Routine & Lion Dance San Francisco City Hall video
Literary Love Letters Writing Activity from Share My Lesson