Chinese Cinderella

Chinese Cinderella is the secret story of an unwanted daughter written by Adeline Yen Mah. She is the bestselling author of Falling Leaves (The original book for adults on which Chinese Cinderella is based)

The Blurb states: "When Adeline Yen Mah's mother died giving birth to her, the family considered Adeline bad luck and she was made to feel unwanted all her life. Chinese Cinderella is the story of her struggle for acceptance and how she overcame the odds to prove her worth."

Chinese Cinderella is an autobiography. It is a story written by a woman in her fifties about her own childhood. The story is set against a background of life in Japanese-occupied China and the civil war between the communists and nationalists which followed Japan's defeat at the end of the Second World War.

There are some fascinating snapshots of the old way of life such as the binding of Grandmother Nai Nai's feet which had been the custom in China for over a thousand years. But this is mainly an account of the relentless neglect and loathing which was heaped on Yen Jun-ling during her excruciating childhood, and the way she chose to cope with it.
This book really opens your eyes to what used to be like and makes you really appreciate how you live now!
I would definitely recommend this book to be read either individually or as a class from probably Year 3 and up.