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We read this for Reader's Cup last year, and it was not easy for my poor 11 year old. She cried some nights. For a sheltered, treasured modern girl it is hard to understand how another child could be treated so badly. I read ahead and it did end in a note of hope, but it seemed a long way away at the pace of one chapter per night. I don't actually recommend it as a bed-time read. My girls like something happier before they fall asleep.Adeline Yen Mah immigrated to America after a difficult childhood. This book is not so much an American memoir as a Chinese one. It brings a very interesting period of Chinese history to life, and is one of those hard-work-triumphs-over-adversity stories that can be so inspiring.
http://readerscup.cbca.org.au/Documents/Readers%20Cup%20Flyer_2009%20%5Bd2%5D.pdf
http://www.adelineyenmah.com/
I read this too. Obviously it broe my heart. My daughter Jia-Li (beautiful & Smart) in English, did not come to us until she was 3 years old, she had open heart surgery, a tethered cord and no hip bone. She was adandoned at 1 yr in a train station and lived with a very poor family. The pictures I have would break your heart.
ReplyDeleteBecause of Jia, I read everything Chinese I can get my hands on. A better book for an 11 year old "Grace From China" can't remember the author.
It was nice to hear from you.
Please excuse my spelling and grammar. I am listening to my Ipod, watching the Olympics and blogging. Not a great combo!
ReplyDeleteYou are so blessed to have Jia-Li! And she you.
ReplyDeleteWe know lots of adoptive families. One couple we know adopted their children from Ethiopia. They were written up in a local mag and I gave the article to my 11 yr old to read. She suddenly stopped reading and asked, shocked, "They're adopted?" I had to point out the obvious, "Well, people usually give birth to kids about the same colour as themselves." She said, "Yeah, but their dad is dark!" He's a tanned European, and I thought it was so sweet that she had taken this family at 'face value'.
and don't worry about the multi-tasking. Do it all the time.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to add this one to my wish list, though I also admit having to switch up my readings. When the tears start falling heavier than I can bear, I pull out the humor books or that true nonfiction on subjects like petunias, or something on the habits of birds and bees;-)
ReplyDelete...and oooh, so that's the other Lesa:-D - Hello...