Ji-li Jiang turned twelve in 1966, the year The Cultural Revolution began. She was an excellent student and lived with her parents, two siblings, and grandmother in one room in Shanghai. At first, she joyfully embraces the new revolutionary mandates and dreams of becoming a Red Guard. When Chairman Mao instructs the country to sweep out the Fourolds (old ideas, old culture, old customs, and old habits), she joins in readily. When this is followed by sweeping educational reforms, and she has to denounce her teachers, she becomes uncertain. Then her family is attacked, and she must make even tougher decisions about whether to be loyal to family, tainted by a landowning grandfather who died when her father was seven, or remain an "educable" child.

The author grew up in Shanghai, but moved to the United States when she was thirty. She wrote this book in the hopes of helping Americans understand China a bit more. Because the audience is for middle school or high school students, the book is written simply, but it remains a powerful story. I was surprised at the extent to which elementary aged students were embroiled in the work of the revolution (writing propaganda or da-zi-bao posters, participating in study groups and struggle sessions, and working on rural farms during the summer). It was interesting seeing Ji-li evolve from being a unquestioning follower as she experiences more of life during the Cultural Revolution. It was also interesting to see traces of her family's Muslim faith appear during times of stress. Her afterward provides updates on the fates of several of her schoolfriends, as well as her family, after the book ends in 1968. There is a helpful glossary as well. ( )

Great simple book for an introduction to the Cultural Revolution. It's short and a quick read and not heavy on the history. I'm still amazed and the craziness of the Cultural Revolution every time I read a new account. A middle school student could read this book. ( )

This novel is actually a historical memoir written by Ji-Li about her life during the Chinese Cultural Revolution and was recommended to me by my mentor teacher. It isn’t about the big picture of the revolution, but instead focuses on her and her family during this time of their lives. It is a great read that provides a lot of opportunity to look at another country’s culture through a historic and literary lens. ( )

Definitely recommended. Research is showing that people these days are already forgetting about super important things like World War Two and the Holocaust (some 50% of Europeans don't know that 6 million Jews were killed in the Holocaust) and the Cultural Revolution is also being forgotten, too. If we don't learn about these types of horrors, history is bound to repeat again... ( )

Excellent for middle grades to begin to understand the Mao years in China, and the difficulties faced by the general population. This book does require some inferring and understanding of brainwashing and that characters can change during a story. Recommend for gifted ed book clubs, also. ( )