Review Detail

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.