Chinese Cinderella: The True Story of an Unwanted Daughter | 
 enlarge | Author: Adeline Yen Mah
Publisher: Laurel Leaf
Category: Book
List Price: $6.99
Buy Used: $0.01
You Save: $6.98 (100%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  183 reviews
Sales Rank: 16822
Media: Mass Market Paperback
Reading Level: Young Adult
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 224
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.8
ISBN: 0440228654
Dewey Decimal Number: 979.40049510092
EAN: 9780440228653
ASIN: 0440228654
Publication Date: March 13, 2001
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Shipping: International shipping available
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Amazon.com Review
Chinese Cinderella is the perfect title for Adeline Yen Mah's compelling autobiography in which, like the fairy-tale maiden, her childhood was ruled by a cruel stepmother. "Fifth Younger Sister" or "Wu Mei," as Yen Mah was called, is only an infant when her father remarries after her mother's death. As the youngest of her five siblings, Wu Mei suffers the worst at the hands of her stepmother Niang. She is denied carfare, frequently forgotten at school at the end of the day, and whipped for daring to attend a classmate's birthday party against Niang's wishes. Her father even forgets the spelling of her name when filling out her school enrollment record. In her loneliness, Wu Mei turns to books for company: "I was alone with my beloved books. What bliss! To be left in peace with Cordelia, Regan, Gonoril, and Lear himself--characters more real than my family... What happiness! What comfort!" Even though Wu Mei is repeatedly moved up to grades above those of her peers, it is only when she wins an international play-writing contest in high school that her father finally takes notice and grants her wish to attend college in England. Despite her parent's heartbreaking neglect, she eventually becomes a doctor and realizes her dream of being a writer. Teens, with their passionate convictions and strong sense of fair play, will be immediately enveloped in the gross injustice of Adeline Yen Mah's story. A complete glossary, historical notes on the state of Chinese society and politics during Yen Mah's childhood, and the legend of the original Chinese Cinderella round out this stirring testimony to the strength of human character and the power of education. (Ages 10 to 15) --Jennifer Hubert
Product Description
A riveting memoir of a girl's painful coming-of-age in a wealthy Chinese family during the 1940s.
A Chinese proverb says, "Falling leaves return to their roots." In Chinese Cinderella, Adeline Yen Mah returns to her roots to tell the story of her painful childhood and her ultimate triumph and courage in the face of despair. Adeline's affluent, powerful family considers her bad luck after her mother dies giving birth to her. Life does not get any easier when her father remarries. She and her siblings are subjected to the disdain of her stepmother, while her stepbrother and stepsister are spoiled. Although Adeline wins prizes at school, they are not enough to compensate for what she really yearns for -- the love and understanding of her family.
Following the success of the critically acclaimed adult bestseller Falling Leaves, this memoir is a moving telling of the classic Cinderella story, with Adeline Yen Mah providing her own courageous voice.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 178 more reviews...
 I can relate to the Author August 5, 2008
As an Asian American whose father remarried I can relate to the Author. A wicked step-mother and two wicked step-sisters and a father who hated me because my mother left him. I am an unwanted child. I will never forget these words as long as I live and I quote my step-mother "You may have not been an accident; but you are certainly a mistake".
This story is truly inspiring and conveys so much more than I could have possible have retold about my own life. As a 33 year old woman with two daughters, I will continuously give them the encouragement that I lacked, inspiration I craved, and all the dreams they can reach-every single one of those dreams. The Author has true conviction and fortitude far beyond her age.
"...and to all unwanted children, in the hope that will persist to do their best in the face of hopelessness, to believe in the end their spirit will prevail, and to nurture their childhood traumas into the source of courage, creativity, and compassion".--Adeline Yen Mah
perfect timing August 4, 2008
bought this book for my daughter for summer reading assignment. the retail chain near me said it would take a few weeks but i bought the book for a great price and received it within a few days with no hitches thanks amazon!
Heartwrenching, enspiring tale of a young girl who was neglected. March 25, 2008
I couldn't put this book down, being 1/2 chinese myself I loved the historical comments found in this book and could relate to some of the coldness shown to her by her family. Favortism runs deep in this book as it does in alot of chinese families as well as american families. I felt sad while reading this book yet her strength and determination was inspiring and so powerful throughout this whole story. A great story for all to read.
A girl treated like cinderella March 21, 2008
Chinese Cinderella is a memoir, also known as a story of bravery endurance and a strong little girl who goes by the name of Adeline. Adeline ,also known as the Chinese Cinderella, needs to be brave to survive life. she has great endurance when it comes to school. Adeline is a strong character when it comes to her family because they tease and beat her. The setting of Chinese Cinderella was obviously in china. In the middle of the book the Chinese were having a war against the French. Adeline's mother died because of her birth. As a result she was considered "bad luck". Another conflict is she has an evil step mother whom has two kids and treats them like they are the only kids in the house. Her relationship between her and her father sucks one reason is because he does not even know her own birthday.
Our class just finished this novel March 9, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
My 6th grade class just finished reading this novel. The majority of us absolutely loved it. We had great discussions about how Adeline's parents never appreciated what wonderful gifts she had to offer in life. Also- we were all amazed how tragic her life was and her ability to overcome the continual abuse. The major reason why some of my classmates did not enjoy the book was because it was simply too sad. Every teacher in middle school should give their students the opportunity to read this work.
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