Red Scarf Girl

Reader reviewed by Jenna B.

Recently, Ive read the memoir about the Cultural Revolution Red Scarf Girl by Ji-Li Jiang.
Summary: When 12 year-old Ji-Li is at the top of her class being highly respected, getting good grades, and having many friends, her life quickly spirals downwards. This was the year the Cultural Revolution started, and also the year her life was changed forever. Once everyone gets caught up in the Revolution, Ji-Li finds out her bad family background and is classified as a "Black" Family. She finds herself and her family experiencing problems and is constantly humiliated in front of others. Although Ji-Li's family can't fix their bad class status, she is reminded constantly that she has the power to follow Chairman Mao, or stay loyal to her family. Ji-Li finds herself caught between two halves of her life and is forced to choose between them. This novel shows a real story of a girl and her fate during the time of this revolution and truly shows the struggles that many people faced.
            I give this book a 3 out of 5 because although it is a true story, it can turn into a never-ending, boring novel at some times. I really only found myself interested a small portion of the time I spent reading it and it isn't a book I would revisit. But, although it could become boring, I did appreciate that it was a true memoir and it really fascinated me about this time period I never knew about. I was amazed at how cruel the people could become and also how the people were brainwashed because of this man. I would recommend this book only to those who are interested in history and to those who like true stories.

Reader reviewed by Steph Foster

Ji-Li Jiang was a lucky survivor of the Chinese Cultural Revolution starting in 1966. This book tells her story from age 12 to 14, while she had to live with the consequences of her family members: She was hated because her grandfather was a landlord (One of the 5 Black Categories), her Aunt was rich, and her father was an anti-Communist. As loyal as she was to the revolution and Chairman Mao, her family background made her discriminated against in all school activities, and she quickly lost all her friends but one. She was torn between loyalty to her family or the revolution, and Red Scarf Girl explains her struggle in an easy-to-relate-to way.
I read this book for a history project, but I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed reading it. Chock-full of historical facts, it was more focused on Ji-Lis feelings and experiences than boring information. This book really got me thinking; it made me wonder if in her position I would be strong enough to be true to my family under all the pressure, or if I would trade my life with them to be accepted and respected in the community. Ji-li Jiang has a flowing, easy-to-read style, and her story will make you laugh, cry, and most of all, think.

Reader reviewed by Amanda

Red Scarf Girl is a story about Ji-Li whose father was an anti-Communist and hid it from the government and Ji-Li to protect his family. When Ji-Li is invited to a government club, she is denied admittance because of her father’s past. Red Scarf Girl is the story of Ji-Li’s suffering and life during Red China. You’ll learn a lot about the concept and how the Chinese felt about it.


I enjoyed Red Scarf Girl greatly. It was very fulfilling and educative. I didn’t know very much about Communism before I read it. The most interesting part of the story was when the family and city had to accommodate to the government’s ideas of New China. I wouldn’t say I had a favorite part because it was quite sad, but mostly interesting. I learned after finishing, from a friend who is Chinese, that the Chinese did not think Communism was wrong. They thought Mao Zedong was a good and intelligent man. I am not sure of my Communist opinions, but believe my friend and Ji-Li. I recommend Red Scarf Girl to kids ages 10 and up and rate it 4 stars for excitement, sadness, and non-fiction information.

Reader reviewed by S Kosmoski

My students are studying China and many have picked up and read "The Girl in the Red Scarf," this is a true story of a young Chinese girl in the days of the revolution. Many of my kids say that they can really relate to her adventures in a changing world. Teachers will like this one too. There are lots of possibilities for interesting lessons.