SYNOPSIS

When Ling’s dad (a gregarious English-speaking surgeon) and mom (a somewhat stressed herbal healer) are forced to house a Party operative in their apartment, Ling is initially curious and friendly toward the guest.

The guest, Comrade Li, begins invading neighbors’ homes, destroys property, publicly humiliates “enemies of the state” and sends them to harsh punishments, while quoting Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution teachings.

Soon after her dad’s closest friend (also a doctor) and his wife are sent to labor camps, Ling’s own dad is pronounced enemy of the state and taken away.

Initially tormented by classmates who accuse her of being a working-class enemy, Ling learns to stand up for herself.

She also learns to protect her devastated mom and together they survive years of severe deprivation and emotional torments.

They find out dad is kept alive in a prison so he can perform life-saving surgeries on high-ranking officials.

Right as Comrade Li makes Ling and her mom his next public humiliation focus, Mao dies, old leaders (including Li) are declared traitors, and Ling’s father returns home.

PERFECT AGE 10 – 15

We love

• A terrific look into a harsh part of history, for young readers of various ages.
• Despite the challenging topic, the book strikes the right balance of factual information and tactfulness toward the audience’s tender age. No sugarcoating but no gore, either.
• What a great and inspiring main character – despite her young age, Ling knows to observe, think, question and adjust to everything around her. Her feelings and reactions paint a rich picture of the world around her!

WATCH OUT FOR (Language, Big / Sensitive Topics, Outdated Concepts):

• No sugarcoating of the Mao era monstrosities – deprivation, denigration, torture, death all feature in the book as seen by a child firsthand. Choose when your reader is ready to interact with this history and whether it may be helpful to preview the context before reading.
• The relatable character, her stamina and rebellion toward the atrocities help digest the story – but a conversation afterwards is definitely a good idea.

CONVERSATION STARTERS

• What surprised you most about Comrade Li’s and his army’s invasions into people’s homes? What were they after?
• As conditions in town grew harsher, how did Ling’s father keep his spirits up?
• Why do you think Ling’s friend Niu became a Red Guard? What feelings might have led him to this?
• What are some character traits you’d use to describe Ling when she snuck in the back of the market and then when she stood up to her violent classmates?
• Do you have questions about the Cultural Revolution? Do you want to learn more about it together?