“A fascinating account of the life of a determined actress.”
- PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

“This is an excellent introduction to a one-time celeb little known to today’s children. Yoo explains Wong’s circumstances with clarity and portrays her hardships and triumphs in concise, easy-to-follow prose. Readers will be entranced by the actress’s rags-to-riches story, and her efforts at confronting racial discrimination will resonate with all ethnic minorities. An author’s note fleshes out the biography, making this a fine choice for both school and public libraries."
- SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL

"Well-paced and full of interesting detail, this picture book for older readers is a fascinating snapshot of what life was like for actresses of color."
- BOOKLIST

"This well-paced picture book biography allows the reader to put Wong's choices into the context of her time, and attractive, realistic paintings underscore scenes from Wong's journey of discovery of her own identity as a Chinese-American. Besides being a very thoughtful introduction to a unique figure from Hollywood heritage, like any solid picture book biography, it can be used across grade levels, and is sure to incite discussion."
- PLANET ESME

“The first Chinese-American movie star grew up in Los Angeles’s Chinatown, working in her family’s laundry, going to the movies every chance she got and even skipping school to watch the action on a local movie set. She went from an extra to a star, even though the roles she was given were often stereotypical, from “china doll” to “dragon lady.” ...Yoo’s earnest text illuminates the actress’s life and times."
- KIRKUS REVIEWS

"Paula Yoo has written a fascinating, inspiring, thoroughly engaging account of Anna's life… Yoo's well paced, seamless narrative informs with just the right amount of interesting detail and pathos. Like Yoo's excellent PB biography of Sammy Lee, Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds, this one is a must-have for home and library collections.
- JAMA RATTIGAN'S ALPHABET SOUP

"'Shining Star' tells the story of how Wong went from a 9-year-old girl daydreaming about being the damsel in distress in an exciting movie to one of the most well-known Asian American actresses in history. 'Shining Star' may be a children’s book, but it doesn’t hide the truth about the times. The author trusts that her young readers will be able to handle and understand these complex issues. Readers learn about Wong’s struggles between her love for acting and her pride in her heritage, and how she finds a way to work without having to compromise on either aspects. 'Shining Star' is the story of perseverance, integrity, and following one’s dreams despite the obstacles one might face."
- NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY