INSIDE THE STORY: Living Covertly: Living in hidden rooms above Otto Frank’s company in Amsterdam, Anne Frank and her family, along with four others, flee harassment during the Second World War. The group lives in continual fear of being discovered by the Nazis, which makes their existence awkward and restricted. Anne’s Journal: In 1942, Anne’s […]
Story: Amelia Bedelia written by Peggy Parish
INSIDE THE STORY: Introduction of Amelia Bedelia:A Brief Overview of Amelia Bedelia Quirky housemaid Amelia Bedelia is well-known for taking directions seriously. She obtains a to-do list from the wealthy Rogers couple while they are traveling. Error in Lemon Meringue Pie: Taking the couple’s request for “putting the pie in the oven” literally, Amelia Bedelia […]
Story: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day written by Judith Viorst
INSIDE THE STORY: Gum in Hair: Alexander finds gum in his hair when he wakes up, which sets off a bad chain of events. No Prize in Cereal: To his further horror, there isn’t a prize in his breakfast cereal. Betrayal of Best Friend: Alexander’s closest friend turns on him in favor of another person. […]
Story: Lust, Caution written by Eileen Chang
INSIDE THE STORY: Summary of the Story Lust, Caution written by Eileen Chang Stealing information during a war Shanghai: Set against the backdrop of Shanghai during World War II, the story explores the complexity of political plots, secret operations, and intelligence. Infection and Attraction: The main character, Wong Chia Chi, is drawn into a dangerous […]
Story: Nine Continents written by Xiaolu Guo
INSIDE THE STORY: Summary of the Story of Nine Continents written by Xiaolu Guo” China’s Cultural Revolution: Guo shows the cultural shifts, challenges, and poverty of the era in an honest portrayal of growing up in a rural area during the Cultural Revolution. Personal hardships and determination: The memoir covers Guo’s personal hardships as well […]
Story: Love on a Barren Mountain written by Guo Xiaolu
INSIDE THE STORY: Setting: On a lonely mountain, in a faraway Chinese village, lies the story. Characters: Liang, A mountain farmer and uneasy goat herder. Yu, A young lady who travels to the mountain community in search of safety from her turbulent background. Relationship Development: As Liang and Yu spend time together in the loneliness […]
Story: Becoming Madame Mao written by Anchee Min
INSIDE THE STORY: Early Life of Jiang Ching: The book looks into a small beginning of Jiang Ching and her ambitions as an actor growing up in a place of extreme need. Meets Mao: Jiang Ching becomes a part of politics as a result of meeting Mao Zedong, the head of the Chinese Communist Party. […]
Story: The Sun Shines over the Sanggan River written by Dai Qing
INSIDE THE STORY: Setting: It takes place in the village of Sanggan River during the Chinese Cultural Revolution and captures the shifts and changes in society that have an effect on the rural communities. The central character: A small boy named Xiaolin is the primary character. Different villagers, each with their own difficulties, positions in […]
Story: The Cell Phone written by Cheng Li
INSIDE THE STORY: Evolution in History: This story traces the development of mobile phones from their early use as simple means for communication to their current state as powerful smartphones and shows how important technical developments have changed these instruments. Impact on Society: It explores how cellphones have affected relationships, communication styles, and interactions among […]
Story: Little Reunions written by Eileen Chang
INSIDE THE STORY: Family Separation: Julie is the main character in the novel, and her parents’ divorce has an important effect on her life. Her sense of identity and her relationships are affected by the dissolution of her family, which appears as a major issue. Relationships that are Difficult: Julie manages a string of relationships […]