Inspired by a true family story.
Ming has three wishes for Christmas. One, to sing in the school Christmas choir. Two, to get a big, sparkly Christmas tree like the one in the department store window. And three, to feel accepted and like she belongs.
As a Chinese-American girl in Northern California in 1930, however, Ming is often treated different from the other children, like when she is told she is not welcome to sing in the school Christmas choir.
When Ming begs her mother for a big, American Christmas tree, her mother scolds her for not being satisfied with honoring their traditional Chinese customs.
Ming feels like she doesn't fit in anywhere: not quite American enough at school, not quite Chinese enough at home.
Seeing her unhappiness, Ming's father takes her on a drive to the mountains to visit an old friend who is wise about Chinese culture. Excited by their adventure, Ming wonders if Pop will surprise her and cut down a big mountain pine to be their Christmas tree. But Pop has something else in mind, something that will help Ming understand her heritage and realize that all cultures have important and cherished symbols worth celebrating.
