Red Scarf Girl

"Cried reading this book. It was for a school project but man I loved this book. I've never had a book make me cry before"

"I have heard of this book before but I never read it nor really had an urge to. Boy, am I glad I finally did. Ji Li Jiang was a smart and studious. She worked hard and did very well in school and everything she ever did. Towards the end of her days in primary school, the Cultural Revolution took root. Many things changed and for the worse. The Jiangs were blacklisted because her grandmother husband was a landlord. To be a landlord was very bad but being a part of the family was worse. Ji Li went from promising student to black whelp and had very little hope for the future. Things got worse for the family. Ji Li's father was detained, her grandmother was made to register as a landlord's wife and her mother was made to report to her work that she was a landlord wife because she wouldn't give up her husband. Ji Li was asked to deny her family and embrace her future with the Party and testify against her father. She refused and every time afterward. She would not betray her family, no matter what fate was in store for her. I was impressed with Ji Li. Even though she had many opportunities to turn her family in and have her ties cut from her family she never did. Ji Li was very stubborn but very loyal. She realized that her family, no matter what, was more important to her. I loved her courage in the face of adversity. Ages 10-14"

"A great book for people who like to learn about other cultures. One of the best books I have ever read!"