Chinese Cinderella - Adeline Yen Mah

 Publisher: Delacorte Press

ISBN: 9780385740074

Subject: Literary Non-fiction

    Chinese Cinderella is a beautiful telling of Adeline Yen Mah's life from age 2 to 14. Yen Mah tells her story with the softness of a child and the power of a survivor. She says she wrote this book in hopes that others who felt unwanted, neglected, or unloved would realize they are unique, and by doing their best they could overcome what they have been or are going through. 

This literary non-fiction is a vibrant and true story of Adeline, her 4 siblings and 2 half-siblings, and her father and step-mother. It also gives some insight to what the eastern Chinese coast went through from 1937 to 1950.

    Adeline Yen Mah's story begins much like any Cinderella story: her mother has died, her father remarries, the step-mother is cruel and favors her own children, and slowly Adeline is abused and pushed into the shadows. Her Aunt Baba takes great care of her, and she and Ye Ye (her grandfather) encourage her to do her best and become more than she believes she can. 

    Adeline does not transform and go to a ball, but attends school and transforms into a smart and talented girl. She is loved by her classmates. She works hard to become the best to gain her father's attention. But her step-mother will not let her be, and Adeline is sent to various boarding schools, always forgotten and alone. With encouragement from the few who believe in her, Adeline persists, and through a writing competition she is finally recognized by her father who grants her the opportunity to be educated in England, go to college, and become who she wants to be.

    I love this story, especially because it is a true telling of a good-natured girl with much to give. I would recommend this book to anyone from 12 years and up, especially those, who, as Yen Mah states, feel unwanted, neglected, or unloved. Because this book gives an overview of Chinese words pertinent to the story, and a summation at the end of China's history between 1842 to 1950, I think it would be a difficult read for those younger than age 12.

The Snow Spider - Jenny Nimmo

 Publisher: Orchard Books

ISBN: 9780439846752

Subject: Children's Fantasy

(The Magician Trilogy: Book One)

I found this book at a thrift shop and was drawn in by the cover, which is beautiful, and represents the unique story well. The Snow Spider is about a young boy named Gwyn (short for Gwydion), who receives five unusual presents for his ninth birthday: a metal brooch, a whistle, a piece of seaweed, a yellow scarf, and a small broken horse. Oh, and he is told by his grandmother that he is descended from magicians. Naturally, these become key points in the story, and the objects bring forth incredible things that only Gwyn sees.

The reader quickly learns of Gwyn's strained relationship with his father, due to the absence of his sister; of his mentoring from his grandmother, who is shown as eccentric; and of his friendship with his best friend named Alun (yes, with a "u"). The appearance of a strange spider and an unearthly girl set the stage for the climax of the story. As the story ends, there are still questions unanswered, which pave the way for a second story.

Welsh references and words are used to indicate that the family is either living a place where the language is common, or they are descended from Wales. The time period is vague, with a coal stove, active candle use, and an apron-wearing mother, but electricity is the main source of lighting and the father owns a Land Rover. Regardless of the time period, the author does a brilliant job building beautiful scenery, both in the ordinary and the extraordinary worlds (yes, plural). The age of Gwyn is portrayed accurately in the things that Gwyn does. The character arch for the girl is like a blurry picture that slowly sharpens, causing the reader to unknowingly predict the reveal.

Because it is a children's book, the pacing is quick, as is the climax. It's been awhile since I've really dived into books for this age group, but I feel the climax fell short of what it could have been. During the rising action, Gwyn is faced with more and more difficult situations. One in particular involves him directly battling an evil force to retrieve something. The scene is short and revealed to the reader through the eyes of the girl. When the climax is reached, Gwyn must face the same evil force but this time he must trap it with the aid of the spider. However, Gwyn does not battle the evil force, and the spider does all the work. In addition, the story doesn't focus on the "battle", but on Alun who has been caught in the middle of things.

Another thing that bothered me, though very small, was the heavy use of the exclamation point. Yes, children are the epitome of the exclamation point, but the use in this book was too much. The best part of the book though, besides the vivid imagery, was the very end. The falling action was expected up until the last two pages, and even within the unexpected twist there was another sharp turn. 

Though definitely a story for elementary and middle school kids, there are a few things that would make a young reader stumble: the use of foreign language, the tricky names, and the time period (though I doubt that makes much difference to a 9 year-old). I would recommend this book for any child, and for adults who enjoy unique children's
books.

*If you need another reason to read this book, Jenny Nimmo is also the author of the Charlie Bone books.