| Booktalk
#1
We all remember the story of
Cinderella. Remember how she was treated as a servant while her stepsisters
were treated as royalty. Cinderella's real father died, leaving her at
the mercy of her stepfamily. Adeline's father was alive and offered no
protection for her against the cruelty of her stepmother and at times her
own brothers and sister. How could one little girl survive such an abusive
childhood? How did she ever grow up to believe that she was worth
anything when everything and just about everyone in her life constantly
reminded her of her worthlessness? You will cry with her as she suffers
one injustice after another at the cruel hands of the very people most
children trust to love and protect them. "Chinese Cinderella" is the real
life story of an unwanted little girl. Read it and discover along with
Adeline how it is possible to defy odds and triumph over adversity.
(Virginia Wright, wrightvi@oplin.lib.oh.us)
Booktalk #2
This is one book where the
title pretty well sums up the book. "Chinese Cinderella: The secret story
of an unwanted daughter" is the autobiography of Adeline Yen Mah.
Adeline was the 5th child born
into her family--and since her mother died in childbirth it was thought
that she was bad luck. Between older siblings who teased and taunted, a
disinterested father and an evil stepmother, you have all of the makings
of a pretty terrible family life.
Although she always excelled
in school, she was viewed as a "showoff" by her siblings and stepmother.
She is also forbidden to visit any of her friends homes and is not allowed
to have them come to visit her either so even school is not easy at times.
By the time she was 8 years old she was already being sent away to boarding
schools and basically ignored by her family--even though there was a war
going on.
While this is not a cheerful
book, it gives many important insights into the chinese culture and also
helps you to understand that life can sometimes be difficult, but if you
keep persevering you will be OK. (Carol Van Brocklin, Faith Academy--Davao,
Davao City, Philippines) |
