Red Scarf Girl by Ji Li Jiang

It was 1966 in China, and Chairman Mao Zedong had just launched the Cultural Revolution with a goal of removing all of the “four olds,” which were Old Customs, Old Culture, Old Habits and Old Ideas, replacing them with the “four news,” which were New Customs, New Culture, New Habits and New Ideas. Chairman Mao believed that the “four olds” interfered with the country’s ability to develop fully and reach its highest potential.

For many children, like Ji-Li Jiang, the Cultural Revolution seemed to be a chance to ensure a great future. And, for Ji-Li, opportunities to become successful seem to be everywhere. When Ji-Li is chosen to audition to become a Liberation Army dancer, she believes it will be a perfect chance to succeed in yet another way. But Ji-Li’s family is worried that if Ji-Li auditions, her unfavorable family background will be exposed. It is true -- Ji-Li’s grandfather was a landlord, an occupation considered to oppose the Communist Party during the Cultural Revolution. Ji-Li is forced to turn down the audition, but another opportunity soon presents itself -- and Ji-Li takes it. This opportunity is to become part of the Red Successors, an organization of leading students that perpetuate Chairman Mao’s ideas. Becoming a Red Successor would surely have led to a bright future, since Red Successors assumed one of the highest positions in Communist China at the time -- the status of a Red Guard. But when Ji-Li’s family background is exposed during a class election for Red Successors, others begin to doubt her, and her future begins to seem nearly out of reach.

But soon after being turned away by two of the largest opportunities she had ever been faced with, life for Ji-Li only become worse. Helplessly, Ji-Li watches as the people who were once closest to her begin to turn away from her. Her intelligence becomes viewed as a crime, and she becomes known as a “teacher’s pet.” Her classmates insult her, humiliate her, and criticize her family background, crushing not only her self confidence, but her love of succeeding in school. Soon, the Red Guards begin initiating house searches, confiscating and destroying anything considered to represent any of the “four olds.” Those found in the possession of “four olds” are arrested, severely punished, subjected to forced labor, or even killed. Ji-Li and her family live in constant fear of a house search -- the one-room apartment they call home isn’t much, but they still cannot stand the thought of their few treasured possessions being taken. But, when Ji-Li's father is captured and detained, accused of criminal actions and criticized because of his family background, Ji-Li finds that she must prepare to make a devastating choice: denouncing her family, or sacrificing the possibility of a successful future if she refuses to do so.

Full of inspiring insights, Ji-Li’s novel is told through the innocent eyes of a child, but with great poignancy and undeniable emotion. Can Ji-Li trust her family? Or will she be forced to denounce them so that she can make a better future for herself? With its stunning detail, breathtaking excitement and compelling suspense, this heartbreaking, yet inspiring, novel, will make its way into the hearts of readers all around the globe. It will teach many the power of courage, loyalty and hope, as well as the importance of dignity, and standing for what you believe in. Its strong messages and themes make Red Scarf Girl a great choice for readers of all ages. Throughout the novel, readers will experience an emotional roller coaster as they explore the life of one very young, yet very bold, girl as she struggles to stay strong during the event that changed her life. Ji-Li Jiang’s Red Scarf Girl is more than just a non-fiction history account -- it’s a suspenseful, meaningful and passionate novel that will change readers’ outlook on history forever. A wonderful story for readers of all ages, Red Scarf Girl is a novel you shouldn’t wait to read!