This is a book set in the small village of Yellow Stone, China that really is about perseverance and courage. Da Chen is a young boy living in China, in the middle of the Cultural Revolution. The Cultural Revolution in China was a big politically led, society and thinking change. The Chinese Communist party’s aim was to make everyone equal, destroy the past culture (literature, art, etc.), take down learning of any kind (besides propaganda), adore poor farmers, and hate/put down people with good jobs, like landlords. Unfortunately for Da, he was born into a family full of landlords. They were treated horribly. All Da’s older siblings were forced to quit school or weren’t allowed to get jobs so they now must work on the farm. Da’s dad is sent to labor camps, and Da’s mom doesn’t have a job. They literally have no way of income, living off the little harvest every fall. Da is treated horribly in school. Everyone bullies him, and the teachers don’t help him. Eventually he stops going and joins a gang of boys who smoke and gamble. He has a good time with them but starts trying to make career out of music. He plays flute and violin, but because he’s in a landlord's family and music is discouraged, he can’t go farther with it. Eventually, Chairman Mao dies, and the communists party relaxes a little and opens colleges back up and lets Da go back to school. This is Da’s final chance to not be a poor farmer for the rest of his life. But he’s several years behind the studies. Will he be able to study hard and get into college? Read to find out! This is a very riveting, exciting, and ‘on the edge of my seat’ book. Most of the time I'm just hoping Da will turn his life around. I really liked how the author had me hooked throughout the whole book. It was just a magnificent story that just fills you with tons of emotions throughout the book. At one point I'm sad, then hopeful, then angry, then happy. I also liked how you got to get his feelings and thinking about what's going on. The author didn’t just write about the experience, he wrote about what he thought, which he did very well. The book really made me think about all the bad stuff the Chinese faced under communist rule. The communist party stripped a generation away from learning and knowledge. They also took away all their heritage and their culture. It made me wonder how they endured throughout all these injustices, and it makes me very amazed and proud that someone can be so persevering and courageous. I think all young adults would love to read this book.
Reviewed by Stebastian W., 9th
