Yao Bai and the Egg Pirates. Tim J. Myers

      Text © 2019 by Tim J. Myers

      Illustrations © 2019 by Bonnie Pang

      Editor: Michelle McCann

      All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permissionof the publisher.

      Library of Congress Cataloguing-in-Publication Data is on file.

      ISBN 9781513261447 (hardcover)

      ISBN 9781513261454 (ebook)

      Printed in China22 21 20 19 1 2 3 4 5

      Published by West Margin Press®

      WestMarginPress.com

      Proudly distributed by Ingram Publisher Services.

      WEST MARGIN PRESSPublishing Director:Jennifer NewensMarketing Manager: Angela ZbornikEditor: Olivia NgaiDesign & Production: Rachel Lopez Metzger

      YaoBai was dreaming of whales when a gentle hand woke him.

      “Get up now, son,” his mother said. “Today is a new adventure—you sail to theislands!”

      Rubbing his hands for warmth in the dawn chill, Yao hurried to the beach. There his father and uncle were preparing their small boat. Out across the shallow bay, sunlight flooded the world.

      After years of famine and war, Yao’s family had crossed the ocean from China to “Gold Mountain,” their name for America. Yao had been sad to leave China, but sadder still that they saw no whales during their long journey. Now they lived in a fishing camp nestled in upper San Francisco Bay, north of the city.

      The boy from next door came running. “Going shrimping, Yao?”“No, Kwon,” Yao said. “We’re sailing out on the ocean to the islands where seabirds lay eggs, to collect them for all those hungry gold miners. We’ll make a fortune!”

      “Yao—we need you,” his father said sharply. Yao ran to help.

      “What about pirates?” Kwon asked. “They might steal your eggs!”

      “Our fishing tax is due,” Yao’s father said,

      “and we must send more money to our family in Guangdong. Miners pay a lot for eggs. As for pirates—we’ll just have to take our chances.”

      Yao’s mother came running. “Don’t forget to rub Pu-Tai’s belly for luck!” she called. Yao’s uncle laughed, but they each held the small statue of the god.

      As Yao rubbed, he prayed silently: Give us good fortune—and please keep pirates away!

      “When you return,” his mother said, “I’ll mix the eggs with shrimp.” She winked at Yao.

      “Shrimp foo young—my favorite!” he cried.