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80th out of 200 books
—
534 voters
Chu Ju's House
One girl too many . . .
When a girl is born to Chu Ju's family, it is quickly determined that the baby must be sent away. After all, the law states that a family may have only two children, and tradition dictates that every family should have a boy. To make room for one, this girl will have to go.
Fourteen-year-old Chu Ju knows she cannot allow this to happen to her sister....more
When a girl is born to Chu Ju's family, it is quickly determined that the baby must be sent away. After all, the law states that a family may have only two children, and tradition dictates that every family should have a boy. To make room for one, this girl will have to go.
Fourteen-year-old Chu Ju knows she cannot allow this to happen to her sister....more
Paperback, 240 pages
Published
October 25th 2005
by HarperCollins
(first published 2004)
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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 tha...more
Each Chinese family could only have two children if they live in the country...!
Chu Ju's ma ma is going to give birth to a child and everybody hoped that the child will be a boy since Chu Ju was already a girl.
Unfortunately, when the child was born, it was actually a girl. To upset, Nai Nai(grandmother) decided to sell the girl yo an orphanage. Scared of her sister being sell to a poor orphanage where there is nothing to eat, or grown up being a slave or wife to elder man, Chu Ju ran away, give...more
Chu Ju's ma ma is going to give birth to a child and everybody hoped that the child will be a boy since Chu Ju was already a girl.
Unfortunately, when the child was born, it was actually a girl. To upset, Nai Nai(grandmother) decided to sell the girl yo an orphanage. Scared of her sister being sell to a poor orphanage where there is nothing to eat, or grown up being a slave or wife to elder man, Chu Ju ran away, give...more
Chu Ju is nothing but a worthless daughter, and her Nai Nai will not let her forget it. And when her mother becomes pregnant again they all pray that it will be a son to regain the honor of their family and to work for them in their old age. But it's a girl. Not being able to have a third child because of the government policy her Nai Nai convinces her Father to sell the baby. But, Chu Ju loves her sister, who she has named Hua and is willing to leave so that Hua can replace her as their firstbo...more
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.
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This book follows Chu Ju, the first daughter in a Chinese family. When her mother gives birth a second girl, it is decided that her younger sister will be sent away so that her parents can try for a son. Chu Ju, not wanting her sister to be thrown out, runs away from home. I really enjoyed Chu Ju's House. Like Homeless Bird, another of Whelan's books, it brings to attention the plights of young women the world over. Chu Ju, the main character, was strong, intelligent, and the book was entertaini...more
I am really liking Gloria Whelan's books right now. They aren't exactly life changing, but they do make me think, and I walk away feeling like I have learned something new about another time/place. I feel like I'm getting a short, easy, entertaining history lesson. They are all fiction, but I really like how realistic she makes each one, especially the voice in which she writes them. The ending felt a bit abrupt/unsatisfying to me, but maybe that's just because I was enjoying the story so much a...more
Set in current time China this is the story of Chu Ju, an eleven year old in a country where each family is only allowed two children. When her mother gives birth to another girl, the family prepares to give the child away to an orphanage in the hope that the next child will be a son. Chu Ju has a different plan in order to save her sister. Very interesting easy to understand descriptions of working the rice paddies and Chinese life in general. I loved this book.
Fourteen-year-old Chu Ju and her family live in modern rural China, where a strict policy of two children per family is enforced. When Chu Ju's mother becomes pregnant again, the family hopes for a boy, because sons are strongly preferred. But when the baby is born, it is another girl, who is named Hua. When Chu Ju learns that her grandmother plans to sell baby Hua to an orphanage so that there will be room in the family for another child, hopefully a son, Chu Ju decides to run away from home to...more
Oct 16, 2009
Angie Rumsey
added it
I am really enjoying Whelan's historical fiction. This is the third one I've read, and I think my favorite. Whelan does a nice job of showing a tiny bit of reality in situations that are less than perfect. True, the "ugly" parts are painted with not much reality, but for the audience that will read her books, I think it is appropriate.
Chu Ju's story both broke and warmed my heart. This little character goes through so much and the details about her adventures and China's landscape just sucked me right in. I did find myself wanting to know about actual China, but for the most part I loved this book! (And the author lives in Northern MI.)
Chu Ju runs away so that her parents can keep her little sister. With two daughters, there can be no son under China's one child policy.
This was a very well-written YA book that gave a glimpse of a rural China that still exists and the hardships of those who have to live in it. A very fast read with some nice cultural insight. Whelan does coming-of-age stories very well.
This was a very well-written YA book that gave a glimpse of a rural China that still exists and the hardships of those who have to live in it. A very fast read with some nice cultural insight. Whelan does coming-of-age stories very well.
While I enjoyed this book, I would recommend a pre-read, especially for any families with children of China. It is historical fiction, and I suspect more is fiction than might at first appear. I think this would be a great book for a discussion group -- and recommend the word historiography.
A book I read so that I knew what my top level reading group would be reading in grade 7. A great story for girls. Not so sure the boys will be too keen on it. The main character is a girl who has to live with the current brutal realities of chinese culture, tradition, and politics.
Picked this book up from the library for 50 cents & got my moneys worth! A fast, easy Youth Fiction book about a young girl named Chu Ju from China who makes a huge decision to leave her family so her parents won't give her little sister to an orphanage. A good Sunday afternoon read.
I enjoy reading about other cultures. I enjoyed reading this book with its adventure and problem solving plot, but because it is YA it seemed shallow considering the gravitiy of her situation. A good read for the younger audience as she did overcome many obstacles.
Really wonderful insight into the plight of girls post Cultural Revolution. Though I'm sure Chu Ju's situation is extremely unique, the story is wonderfully told. I highly recommend this in a classroom setting.
Jan 24, 2010
Kristy
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
pre-teens
Recommended to Kristy by:
I dont know... i just found it on my bookshelf
This book is a good book, it is really sad though. At times you feel like crying, and this would not be a good book for a person who gets sad really easily because of all the horrible things that happen to her.
The middle school literature class I volunteered in read this as a class. It presents a side of Communist China young readers are often not exposed to until much later in their school careers.
Good pre-teen/early teen novel with strong female protagonist. I'm adding it to my "to read" list for my daughters. Addresses negative cultural practices against girls.
A very good book. This book can help kids understand the situation that is going on in China. I loved the herione. She has alot of gumption. Quick read.
This book shows what the culture in china is. I love learning about differnent cultures. If you do too then this is a must read.
i thought this book was wonderful from the begining all the way to the end, the best part about it was the suspense.
Great story of independence and survival. Interesting look at Chinese culture and customs. Quick and easy read.
Great read for Junior Highers. I really loved this book. I re-read it more times then I can count!
A Chinese girl leaves her home to save her sister from being given away. A good story.
Well, I had to read this in school, but I wasn't very impressed...
I love the way the main character took care of her little sister.
another great book from Whelan.
The book, The Good Earth, has stayed a part of my life so I love books about the Chinese culture. Chu Ju's House is a captivating story of a young girl who takes care of her sister as her feet are bound. Even though Chu Ju was free to walk and wait on her family because her feet were not bound, it made me feel happy for her and grateful I did not live with those customs. You can go online after you read this book and look for pictures on footbinding. I would love to see your face as you see thes...more
this book is OK
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Gloria Whelan is the best-selling author of many novels for young readers, including Homeless Bird, winner of the National Book Award; Friutlands: Louisa May Alcott Made Perfect; Angel on the Square and its companion, The Impossible Journey; Once on this Island, winner of the Great Lakes Book Award; Farewell to the Island; and Return to the Island. She lives with her husband, Joseph, in the woods...more
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Jul 24, 2009 09:03am