Monday, May 10, 2021

Red Scarf Girl by Ji Li Jiang *

A Memior of the Cultural Revolution

 Ms. Jiang relates the horrors and turmoil she and her family endure during Mao's reign in communist China.  As the cultural revolution continues and her family's legacy unfolds, Ji Li must decide with whom should she stand, Chairman Moa or her family?

*Highly recommend, but read "warnings/points to discuss".  I did not like the positive way communism was depicted in The Forward.

Warnings/points to discuss: Ms. Jiang and her family are Muslims and pray to Allah.  She is accused of having an inappropriate relationship with her teacher (they say that is the only reason she has excelled at school).  She mentions a sanitary belt (for menstration).  Violence, cruelty, abuse (physcial, mental and emotional) is intense.  In the forward, Mr. Hwang depicts Mao in a more positive light than I think he deserves!  He also says the Communists changed China in many positive ways!

Recommended for mature junior high students and older.

-Borrowed from the library.



No comments:

Post a Comment