Project Mulberry explains the issues of having to work on school projects when there are family and friend constraints. Mulberry leaves are required for the science project involving silkworms and the protagonist really doesn't even want to work with silkworms. The hurdle of finding Mulberry leaves is solved, but not without more issues. Race is a factor in this book and questions are raised, while answers are not forthcoming which will enable class discussion. The boy-girl friendship is only that and this book is one which will be approved by parents.

Recently, I knew some children (in real life) working on a plant growing project and near the day of the competition, a dog ate the top of the plant off completely. Yes, the dog ate the homework! However, they ended up with first place due to the fact their notation was impeccable. The plant root system revealed the great care they had taken with the situation from day one. When they arrived at the event, never in a million years did they think they could win. So you never know.

Working on any project that will receive scrutiny and critique causes angst and worry. However, mix in those feelings with issues of race, strict parents, deadlines, and working on less than desirable projects causes this book to be very true to real life. ( )

Julia, who is Korean, and her friend Patrick team up for the science fair. They choose to do something for their project that Julia's family used to do in Korea. While doing this project Julia and Patrick learn many lessons that can be applied to their lives. This book covers different cultures, patience, teamwork, friendship, and much more. ( )

Jules, a sixth grade Korean-American girl, and her friend, Patrick, work together on a state fair science project - raising silkworms. Jules does not want to raise silkworms because she feels the project calls attention to her background. However, as the worms start to grow, Jules becomes more involved in the project and probably a little too invested in the well-being of the silkworms. The book also brings up prejudice and racism - Jules' mom does not like her to spend time at the neighbor's house when she is collecting the mulberry leaves and Jules believes it may be because Mr. Dixon is black. I wish she had confronted her mom, but she never does. The only complaint I have about the book is the intrusion of the author- throughout the book the protagonist has brief conversations with the author. An interesting idea but it made the book feel choppy for me. A good book for 4-6th graders, girls especially. ( )

I really enjoyed reading this book. What I liked about the book was that it was written in first person and there was factual information. Julia, one of the main characters in the book discussed her thoughts which made it intriguing. For example, Julia discussed the thoughts of her mother being racists to Mr. Dixon. Her insight as of why her mother might of been upset when her and Patrick were running late, helped explain her mothers actions further.
The way the author organized the story to discuss factual information about silkworms was great. Patrick was the source of all the information about silkworms which made it lively and interesting. For example, Patrick had to explain to Julia the way that silk is made is by boiling the cocoons of silkworms. He went on to discuss how even though they die they're not in any pain while being boiled.
Overall, this book had many messages. I think the most important being to embrase your culture and who you are. ( )

I liked this book because not only did it exemplify the tough work it takes to do well, but it also hit on some disagreements that can occur in a friendship. Julia and Patrick meet when Julia moves to a townhouse in the neighborhood- they were instantly friends! Patrick came over to Julias house everyday, where he usually did homework and always had a bite of kimichee. I would say this book also treads softly on different races. Well, both Patrick and Julia decide to take on the task of creating their own silk by growing and feeding their own silkworms. They find Mr. Dixon, a black man, that lends his Mulberry tree to the duo so they can feed their silkworms. Julia goes back and forth on if she wants to do the project and Patrick ends up having a huge phobia of worms! Julias mother never does quite come around to being open to the duo hanging out with Mr. Dixon. But, Kenny eventually comes around and isn't as big of a "snotbrain" than Julia had originally thought. A well written book and leaves you waiting to see what happens next ( )