Starting in 1972 when she is nine years old, Ling, the daughter of two doctors, struggles to make sense of the communists' Cultural Revolution, which empties stores of food, homes of appliances deemed "bourgeois," and people of laughter.
* "Readers should remain rapt by Compestine's storytelling throughout this gripping account of life during China's Cultural Revolution."--"Publishers Weekly," Starred Review
"Laced in all the right places with humor, fury, fear, resolve and eventual relief, her childlike voice is carefully maintained over the sweep of four years--candid and credible, naive and nuanced."--"San Francisco Chronicle" "This child's-eye view of the Chinese Cultural Revolution is ultimately a tale of survival; lyrical yet gripping, accessible and memorable, it's based on the author's experiences. Certain to inspire discussion about freedom and justice."--"Kirkus Reviews" "Authentic. . . . This semi-autobiographical novel comes alive with the author's rich descriptions of the sights and smells of China at the beginning of the Cultural Revolution."--"School Library Journal"
"In clipped lyrical sentences, Compestine's first-person narrative sets a naive child's struggle to survive against betrayal and courage in one neighborhood and also the political panorama of spies and slogans."--"Booklist"
"Compestine does a good job giving young YA readers a realistic picture of what that period of history meant to individuals caught in the political nightmare. Certainly those with a Chinese heritage will find the story important to understand their own family history."--"KLIATT"
"Beautifully descriptive phrases allow this autobiographical fiction to come alive with the colors of the clothing that are lovingly sewn for Ling, the aromatic preparations of the food that is cooked, and the genuine appreciation of school, work, and valued neighbors. . . . The simple narrative is [refreshing] . . . in its youthful disbelief of the hardships that have befallen them in a changing political situation."--"Voice of Youth Advocates"
* Readers should remain rapt by Compestine's storytelling throughout this gripping account of life during China's Cultural Revolution. "Publishers Weekly, Starred Review"
Laced in all the right places with humor, fury, fear, resolve and eventual relief, her childlike voice is carefully maintained over the sweep of four years--candid and credible, naive and nuanced. "San Francisco Chronicle"
This child's-eye view of the Chinese Cultural Revolution is ultimately a tale of survival; lyrical yet gripping, accessible and memorable, it's based on the author's experiences. Certain to inspire discussion about freedom and justice. "Kirkus Reviews"
Authentic. . . . This semi-autobiographical novel comes alive with the author's rich descriptions of the sights and smells of China at the beginning of the Cultural Revolution. "School Library Journal"
In clipped lyrical sentences, Compestine's first-person narrative sets a naive child's struggle to survive against betrayal and courage in one neighborhood and also the political panorama of spies and slogans. "Booklist"
Compestine does a good job giving young YA readers a realistic picture of what that period of history meant to individuals caught in the political nightmare. Certainly those with a Chinese heritage will find the story important to understand their own family history. "KLIATT"
Beautifully descriptive phrases allow this autobiographical fiction to come alive with the colors of the clothing that are lovingly sewn for Ling, the aromatic preparations of the food that is cooked, and the genuine appreciation of school, work, and valued neighbors. . . . The simple narrative is [refreshing] . . . in its youthful disbelief of the hardships that have befallen them in a changing political situation. "Voice of Youth Advocates""
"* Readers should remain rapt by Compestine's storytelling throughout this gripping account of life during China's Cultural Revolution." --Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
"Laced in all the right places with humor, fury, fear, resolve and eventual relief, her childlike voice is carefully maintained over the sweep of four years--candid and credible, naive and nuanced." --San Francisco Chronicle
"This child's-eye view of the Chinese Cultural Revolution is ultimately a tale of survival; lyrical yet gripping, accessible and memorable, it's based on the author's experiences. Certain to inspire discussion about freedom and justice." --Kirkus Reviews
"Authentic. . . . This semi-autobiographical novel comes alive with the author's rich descriptions of the sights and smells of China at the beginning of the Cultural Revolution." --School Library Journal
"In clipped lyrical sentences, Compestine's first-person narrative sets a naive child's struggle to survive against betrayal and courage in one neighborhood and also the political panorama of spies and slogans." --Booklist
"Compestine does a good job giving young YA readers a realistic picture of what that period of history meant to individuals caught in the political nightmare. Certainly those with a Chinese heritage will find the story important to understand their own family history." --KLIATT
"Beautifully descriptive phrases allow this autobiographical fiction to come alive with the colors of the clothing that are lovingly sewn for Ling, the aromatic preparations of the food that is cooked, and the genuine appreciation of school, work, and valued neighbors. . . . The simple narrative is [refreshing] . . . in its youthful disbelief of the hardships that have befallen them in a changing political situation." --Voice of Youth Advocates
