My Name is Number 4

Reader reviewed by Krista

My Name is Number 4 was a book I received from LibraryThings Early Reviewers program. It is a memoir about Ting-Xing Yes life during the Cultural Revolution in China. She comes from a poor family and is the fourth of five children. Her mother and father die at a young age, and she is left with her Great-Aunt to raise her. Basically, shes had it bad from the beginning.

This was an engaging read. After reading the novel, I really admire Ye for all the things shes had to live through. Her father was a businessman which automatically makes her the victim of Red Guard attacks. Then, she is exiled to a prison camp in Beijing at the age of sixteen and ends up spending several years there. It is a well-written novel, and Ye is a likeable character.

The only thing I really didnt like about the book was the title. Nitpicky, I know. It just felt mislead by it. It makes one think the novel will be about being born into a strict Chinese family.

I think young adults will enjoy the book especially if youre like me and havent learned much about the Cultural Revolution in China. Thats what appealed me the most about this book. I mean everyones heard about the Holocaust, and its interesting to see a similar thing happen in another country, although not near as cruel (thankfully).