Red Scarf Girl by Ji-Li Jiang

Summary:

Ji-Li Jiang thought her life was perfect. She thought she had everything. She was an outstanding student and leader in her school. She had brains, ability, admiration from her peers, and a shining future in New China. But one year, when she turned 12, everything changed and she had to question everything she knew. It happened in 1966 when Chairman Mao started the Cultural Revolution. Ji-Li faces persecution because of her class status. She cannot attend her dream high school, she cannot join the communist party. But worst of all she is asked to denounce her father or lose her future in China. Ji-Li Jiang has to make a choice that either way will destroy her life.

"Now you have to choose between two roads." The man from the Revolutionary Committee looked straight into my eyes. "You can break with your family and follow Chairman Mao, or you can follow your father and become an enemy of the people." (Ji-Li Jiang, page 226)

Word of Caution:

There is a lot of persecution and death in this book. Ji-Li talks about her fear when she heard of people who got beaten to death and forced to do cruel life-threatening things.

Positive Notes:

This is one of the best books I have ever read. Ji-Li Jiang did a great job in writing this book from personal experiences. All the facts and people are true except that their names may be changed. This is a story that needs to be told. A fantastic memoir of the Cultural Revolution in China.

Who:

Great for girls aged 12 and up because of some of the emotions and situations Ji-Li had to go through.