What do You think about Chu Ju's House (2005)?
This novel is definitely going to be a part of my classroom library. Taking place in present day, it shares the story of a young girl in rural China who runs away from home to spare her baby sister being sent away. This is an engaging tale which reveals the horror and oppression of communist China. The characters are well developed and believable. The plot is fast paced, sure to keep the attention of young readers. There is so much action that I think it will appeal to both boys and girls, even though the protagonist is a girl.
—Sharon Bohlen
This book was about a girl living in China. Her family is disappointed that they only have a girl in the family, so when they have a second child and it's a girl they decide to put it up for adoption (only two children are allowed per family, and they want to try again for a boy). Chu Ju (the protagonist) decides to run away so that her new sister won't be adopted -- the family won't have to give their third child away. So then most of the book is following Chu Ju's travels after she ran away.The story was really good, and it had me hooked until the last page. :) I HATE the grandmother in it, though... she hates Chu Ju and she's the one who convinces the family to try and give away the baby girl.
—Anne-Marie
Families in China are only allowed to have two children, and most families want to have at least one son to take care of the family once he grows up. Chu Ju is the eldest daughter, and when a sister is born, her Nai Nai (grandmother) insists the baby has to go to the orphanage, and the parents must try again and hope for a boy. Chu Ju can’t bear to think of her baby sister being sold, so she chooses to be the one to go. Chu Ju runs from place to place, unable to find somewhere to stay longer than a year or so, until she comes to the farm of Han Na. Han Na’s son wants to live in Shanghi, and Chu Ju is his perfect excuse.Chu Ju proves to be the perfect help for the elderly woman, and in the end everything works out beautifully for Chu Ju—she finds a boy she likes living nearby, gets the farm and visits her family.This book gives a good view of China as it is in the countryside. Whelan paints a picture of what it’s like to live in Communist China, and how it is difficult for a girl to feel like she is worth something. Chu Ju goes through many things before she finds her true happiness,though it doesn’t feel like a coming of age story. Time passes quickly and easily—at the beginning of this short novel Chu Ju is 14, and at the end she is 18. She is a likable character, nonetheless, and readers will sympathize with her struggles. This is appropriate for a Juvenile chapter book collection, but I’m going to shelve it with Homeless Bird, which is in my YA area, so Whelan’s books are easily found by readers who enjoy her.
—Ruhama
