Red Scarf Girl

By: Ji-Li Jiang

“Don’t fall down; it will be alright after today… I will do my job, I will.”

The story Red Scarf Girl is the about a young girl, Ji-Li, growing up in the Cultural Revolution. As the quote says, she has to hold together her family by cooking, cleaning, and moral support. China has internal problems, and all of the citizens are suffering because of it.

New leaders are trying to fix it, but they are worsening the daily life for people. Ji-Li’s grandfather had a bad job, so she is denied opportunities she would normally have.

“Look, another pair of too tight pants! Let us get rid of the Four Olds!”

She must find a way to hold together her family and friends while maintaining a future for herself.

I recommend Red Scarf Girl. The story is informative of China’s history, and the suffering of the people. It is interesting until the last page. The writer achieved the purpose of letting people know about her life. The plot was slow at times, but still conveyed the message of hope. The main character Ji-Li is relatable, and I really envy her perseverance and spirit.

The story is accurate in the information, and teaches about China and its people’s struggles. The book is worth reading, and sparked my interest for other memoirs.

Groiler Publishing Company, 1997. IBSN: 0064462080

Created by Betsy Csaszar October 26, 2007

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