Life in Hong Kong

Grade 6-10-This book details the current routines and lifestyles of the residents of Hong Kong. Chapters rich in anecdotes and first-person observations describe transportation; city living, including a look at Kowloon and various islands; family and home life; the educational system with its exam pressures; religious practices; employment and the strong work ethic of the people; and festivals, games, and amusements. Unlike Falaq Kagda’s Hong Kong (Benchmark, 1997), which has a slightly lower reading level, there is no coverage of history, government, language, or the arts. The 1997 return of Hong Kong to China is mentioned only where it affects topics under discussion, such as in education, where the Mandarin language and a course on Chinese history and law are now required. The clear, informative text, expanded upon in numerous sidebars, is presented in a serviceable format, with double-columned pages and dull black-and-white photos. The extensive footnotes and bibliographies include many Web sites that are now unavailable. The issue is further complicated by the use of periods at the end of URLs, which sometimes will not bring up the desired entry. Diane S. Marton, Arlington County Library, VA