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Bronze and Sunflower

Cao Wenxuan,

Helen Wang (Goodreads Author) (Translator)

4.11 · Rating details · 657 ratings · 170 reviews

When Sunflower, a young city girl, moves to the countryside, she grows to love the reed marsh lands - the endlessly flowing river, the friendly buffalo with their strong backs and shiny, round heads, the sky that stretches on and on in its vastness. However, the days are long, and the little girl is lonely. Then she meets Bronze, who, unable to speak, is ostracized by the ...more

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Paperback, 384 pages

Published April 2nd 2015 by Walker Books (first published 2005)

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· 657 ratings · 170 reviews

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Feb 15, 2017 Fran rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

China's Cultural Revolution (1960's-1970's) dramatically changed the lives of many city dwellers. Academics, artists and office workers were among those sent to Cadre Schools (labor camps). A seven year old city girl named Sunflower traveled to the Cadre School with her father, a renowned sculptor famous for his bronze sunflowers. Now living at the Cadre School, he was a team member sent to cut reeds and create crop fields and fish ponds. Nightly, he must attend political meetings. Sunflower was China's Cultural Revolution (1960's-1970's) dramatically changed the lives of many city dwellers. Academics, artists and office workers were among those sent to Cadre Schools (labor camps). A seven year old city girl named Sunflower traveled to the Cadre School with her father, a renowned sculptor famous for his bronze sunflowers. Now living at the Cadre School, he was a team member sent to cut reeds and create crop fields and fish ponds. Nightly, he must attend political meetings. Sunflower was unsupervised and lonely. Across the river, rural villagers were impoverished but the children seemed happy. Sunflower noticed a small boat and decided to go across the river to the village of Damaidi. She soon realized she had no oar or pole and drifted down the river until she was rescued by village boy Bronze and his buffalo.

Everyday now, Bronze would entertain Sunflower from his side of the river, standing on his head and making her laugh. Life can change on a dime and so it was for Sunflower when her father drowned. The aunties at the Cadre School determined that Sunflower needed a family to care for her and traveled across the river to find her one.

Bronze was a mysterious child who lived in his own world. At age five, a reed fire burned in the village. Baba, Mama, grandmother Nainai and Bronze were able to escape with only one animal, a buffalo. Having crossed the river and been forced to stay in freezing wet clothes, Bronze developed a high fever and became mute. Now the village children teased him and teachers at school would not let him attend. His spirits were often lifted by Nainai and his buffalo. When the aunties arrived in Damaini and asked the villagers who was willing to welcome Sunflower into their family, Bronze and his family, the poorest family in Damaidi, volunteered to raise her as Bronze's adoptive sister. Nainai convinced Baba and Mama that each family member could eat less so there would be enough food for Sunflower as well.

Bronze and Sunflower become inseparable. They buoyed each other up as the family went through hard times including an attack of locusts. Utmost in the minds of the family was raising enough money to cover school fees, without which, school was inaccessible. Bronze came up with an idea. He would bring home the finest reeds to be woven into waterproof reed shoes. Over the winter, the family could make one hundred pairs to be sold to raise money for school costs. Then, one child, either Bronze or Sunflower, would be able to attend school.

"Bronze and Sunflower" written by Hans Christian Anderson Prize Recipient Cao Wenxuan is about the effects of poverty, deprivation and hardship and how these challenges are handled by familial love, devotion and understanding. Matriarch Nainai is always at the forefront encouraging and sacrificing for the betterment of the family. The tome translated by Helen Wang will hopefully set the stage for more translated Chinese children's literature by Cao Wenxuan. Children from seven to seventy seven will enjoy "Bronze and Sunflower".

Thank you Candlewick Press and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "Bronze and Sunflower". ...more

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Mar 01, 2017 Betsy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: diverse, multicultural-fiction, international-fiction, disability, family-stories, historical-fiction, international-history, selective-mutes, lower-income, middle-grade-historical-fiction

It’s odd. Parents these days. I meet so many of them that believe that to live in a globalized society it is imperative for their children to learn another language. That’s not the odd part. That’s a great thing. Suddenly you have all these immersion classes (usually just for kids that can afford them, but still) and six-year-olds speaking Mandarin and Spanish and more. No, for me the strange thing is that it stops right there. The kids are taught other languages and maybe some rudimentary facts ...more

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Sep 09, 2020 Deacon Tom F rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

4 1/2 stars

This is a lovely and moving story of a friendship between two lonely Chinese children, orphaned Sunflower and mute Bronze who were scarred by tragedy.

This novel is set in the Chinese countryside during the Cultural Revolution. It is a sunny plot and an easy flow, including beautifully constructed settings. Additionally their are values like a close-knit family, and a caring community.

To read these adventures is to sample the lifestyle ofChinese countryside. Their daily lives are diff ...more

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May 18, 2017 Morris rated it it was amazing

Shelves: children-s, 2017-reviews, 2017-favorites, all-time-favorites, diverse-books, recommend

While meant for children, “Bronze and Sunflower” is a beautifully written book about the cultural revolution in China during the 1960s-70s that any age group can enjoy and learn from. The culture becomes alive, helped by the fact that it is translated into English. Everything rings true and authentic. I wish there were more books this good about other cultures. Highly recommended.

This unbiased review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.

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Apr 21, 2020 The Dusty Jacket rated it it was amazing

Shelves: juvenile-historical-fiction

Sunflower was lonely. Her father was a revered sculptor in the city, but he—like so many others—had been sent to work at the Cadre School and now Sunflower has very little to do all day. To pass the time, she goes down to the river and looks to the other side at the village called Damaidi. In Damaidi, there is life, there is activity, and most of all, there are children. She dreams of what it might be like to go over there and play and explore. Then one day, Sunflower’s dad tragically drowns in Sunflower was lonely. Her father was a revered sculptor in the city, but he—like so many others—had been sent to work at the Cadre School and now Sunflower has very little to do all day. To pass the time, she goes down to the river and looks to the other side at the village called Damaidi. In Damaidi, there is life, there is activity, and most of all, there are children. She dreams of what it might be like to go over there and play and explore. Then one day, Sunflower’s dad tragically drowns in the river and she is accepted into the home of Damaidi’s poorest family. There she meets Baba, Mama, grandmother Nainai, and Bronze, their mute son. Suddenly, Sunflower is a daughter, a granddaughter, and a sister and life amongst these poor people was about to make her richer than she could ever imagine.

Translated from Mandarin by Helen Wang, "Bronze and Sunflower" is a masterpiece in storytelling. It tells the story of a family and a village caught up in China’s Cultural Revolution during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Wenxuan doesn’t make this period in history the center of his story, but instead chooses to keep it as a backdrop. He instead focuses on the unique and touching bond between Bronze and Sunflower and the family’s struggle to survive floods, locusts, famine, and dishonor. It’s a tale replete with villains and heroes, sadness and joy, and despair and hope. Wenxuan effortlessly weaves a tale showing us that life isn’t fair, that justice is often elusive, and that those in power—for better or worse—wield a mighty influence. But he also shows us the importance of family, the power of redemption, and the value of integrity. It’s a story absolutely brimming with moral lessons and human values and should be devoured by readers of all ages.

The only fault I had with this book is its ending. It’s vague (I re-read it several times to make sure I didn’t miss any subtle clue or hidden meaning) and puts the burden on the reader to determine what happened. I’m not a fan of this kind of ambiguous ending, but the overall story isn’t dependent upon it and so its vagueness shouldn’t serve as a detraction from an otherwise engaging and captivating tale that was an absolute joy to read and experience.

Without giving away any spoilers, the saddest part of the story—for me—was the eventuality of Bronze and Sunflower growing up…as children tend to do. The head of the village of Damaidi stated as much when he met with Baba and Mama and said, “Time’s moving on.” Simple words that remind us how fleeting and fragile time is and that everything should be cherished and savored for nothing is certain or guaranteed. With the sudden loss of her father, Sunflower understood the unpredictability of life and the value that came with belonging. Despite her poverty, Sunflower considered herself wealthy beyond measure because she was part of a family and that family loved her very much. Actor, author, and activist Michael J. Fox once said, “Family is not an important thing. It's everything." In that respect, Sunflower had everything and perhaps that made her the richest person in all of Damaidi. ...more

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Dec 23, 2017 maha rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: made-me-cry, fav-of-all-time

reread this again because why not

Goal: Reread this every single year because it makes me cry. Legit. Even just thinking about it can make me cry. No, it's not sad. It's beautiful. ...more

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May 31, 2019 Erin Kelly rated it it was amazing

Lovely. Made me cry. I love Bronze and Sunflower. ❤️

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Mar 28, 2015 Zoe rated it it was amazing

Set in rural China during the Cultural Revolution two children, Bronze and Sunflower, isolated and lonely for different reasons, befriend each other. Following the death of Sunflower's father, Bronze's family unofficially adopt Sunflower, (she has no living relatives). The story then follows the two children's friendship, adventures, and experiences living in a very poor but very happy and generous family. Although not without times of grief and real hardship, Bronze and Sunflower's lives are fu ...more

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Aug 10, 2017 Heidi Burkhart rated it it was amazing

"Bronze and Sunflower," possibly the best children's novel that I have read in years, won the Hans Christian Anderson Award for literature in 2016. To be eligible for this award the winners must have made a lasting contribution to children's literature. Special criteria include "portrayal of universal themes with lasting human values". "Bronze and Sunflower" is so deserving of this award. The characters, story, settings, and writing were all so delicately woven to create this outstanding book. C ...more

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Jan 29, 2016 Rachel rated it it was amazing

Beautiful story. Loved noticing the different narrative arc of this book (Chinese story, translated into English). Days later, I am still ruminating over the characters and whether the author created this novel as a beautiful story about an unconventional family or if it is all a metaphor of Chinese people's experience of Communism. As the former, it is readily acceptable to middle school readers. As the latter, to older readers. I suspect this book will haunt me for ages. ...more

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Dec 23, 2019 Ana Cob rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: children-s-novels

This was such a wonderful read. It was slow, quiet and soul touching. Just beautiful.

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Jun 20, 2018 QNPoohBear rated it it was ok

Shelves: middle-grades-historical-fiction

Little Sunflower's father works at a Cadre School across the river from the village of Damaidi. Sunflower's father is too busy working and attending political meetings to play with her. She's very lonely until she discovers a funny boy and his buffalo on the opposite side of the river. Bronze can not speak but he knows just what to do to make Sunflower smile. When Sunflower's father is killed in a freak weather accident, Sunflower is in need of a new home. The city folk ask a village family to t Little Sunflower's father works at a Cadre School across the river from the village of Damaidi. Sunflower's father is too busy working and attending political meetings to play with her. She's very lonely until she discovers a funny boy and his buffalo on the opposite side of the river. Bronze can not speak but he knows just what to do to make Sunflower smile. When Sunflower's father is killed in a freak weather accident, Sunflower is in need of a new home. The city folk ask a village family to take her in, but which one? Will it be the wealthiest family or the poorest? Sunflower makes her own choice-to live with Bronze, Baba, Mama and Nainai (grandmother) in their little house. Bronze's family loves little Sunflower's cheerful, sweet nature and they feel as if she was born into their family. They would do anything to protect her and give her the best life possible, even if it means making sacrifices.

This story starts without any explanation of what a Cadre School is or why Sunflower's father, a sculptor, works there. I had to read the note at the end to discover this story is set during the Cultural Revolution in China (late 1960s to early 1970s). I had some vague idea of what that was about but not enough to fully understand the history behind the story. The Cadre School is left behind once Sunflower is adopted by Bronze's family. I found the story too slow and sad for my personal reading preferences. There are some similarities to American prairie novels and Victorian English novels like A Little Princess. I did get slightly misty eyed towards the end after the famine. Parents be aware that there's a great deal of child abuse in this novel. Parents think nothing of hitting, kicking, and slapping their children as punishment. I found this horrifying and I don't see children liking this story much because of it.

Sunflower and Bronze are too noble and good for me. Sunflower is oh so sweet and lovable and just too good for me. I don't like characters where everyone wants to be their friend because they're too good. I like some conflict. Bronze may be mute but he is able to communicate with everyone perfectly. He's also very noble and self-sacrificing. This may be a cultural Chinese thing. I did love sacrificing Naini and how her love and guidance shaped Sunflower's life. Nanai reminded me of my own Nonnie whose whole life was devoted to taking care of her family. My favorite character though is Buffalo. The poor animal doesn't even have a name! He's very cute and a good friend to the children. Gayu is such a horrible person. He mocks Bronze constantly and picks on Bronze out of spite and jealousy. His father is wealthy but stingy and it makes Gayu feel superior to the other village children yet compared to city children he's just a peasant of no consequence.

This story just was not for me. I don't see my nieces enjoying it either. ...more

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Jan 31, 2016 Short Reviews rated it it was amazing

“We might be poor,” said Nainai, “but we’re not so poor that we can’t feed that little girl. If we all ate a little less, we could manage it. I’ve always wanted a granddaughter!”

I loved Bronze and Sunflowers' grandmother (Nainai). In fact, there wasn't a single character I disliked in the book. The main characters were well developed, had their ups and downs and were so relatable! Sunflower was sweet and innocent in the way only small children can be, and I wasn't annoyed with how nice she was ...more

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Jan 16, 2021 Christie Angleton rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2021, books-for-brave-girls, joyful-reads-2021, joyful-reads-club-2021, china, china-s-cultural-revolution

The language is so gentle and lyrical. I wandered slowly through this starchy text. The translation is absolutely gorgeous. The lush descriptions of animals, nature, and deep emotions reminded me of EB White. Would make for a lovely, slow read aloud.

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Oct 25, 2017 Terrie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: book-in-translation, childrens-historical-fiction, childrens-adventure

This is a very gentle slow moving story that takes place in China around 1960-70. Sunflower and her father move across the river from the city to a cadre school in the country. When the father dies a family must come forward to take care of Sunflower. Bronze and his family, the poorest in the village want Sunflower to be their daughter. How they cope, surviving various difficulties, and the love and sacrifice they have for each other is beautiful and inspiring.
The book is beautifully written and ...more

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May 02, 2017 Edward Sullivan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: children-s-fiction, poverty, china

A beautiful, moving portrait of the relationship between orphaned Sunflower and mute Bronze, and their constantly struggling close-knit family, the poorest in their rural Chinese village. Translated from Mandarin, originally published in China.

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Sep 23, 2020 Lily Wallaker rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-with-the-fam

Beautifully sad! A definite re-read for the future. 😊

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Apr 24, 2017 Mary Lee rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2017, audio, international, translation

I'm glad I've had the experience of the cadence and flow of a Chinese children's book. I truly feel like I've visited a foreign country. So much weeping! And the ending was so sudden and unexpected! ...more

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Mar 13, 2017 Jaina Rose rated it really liked it

Shelves: blogged

This review is also available on my blog, Read Till Dawn.

I honestly have no idea how to review Bronze and Sunflower.

I don't know what it is about the book, but I just can't wrap my head around it. I'm actually a little puzzled by the ending, which is still not entirely clear to me even after I've read it a few times. I think that's a translation trouble–in fact, I think a lot of my confusion comes either from translation ambiguousness or cultural differences. Since I know nothing about the This review is also available on my blog, Read Till Dawn.

I honestly have no idea how to review Bronze and Sunflower.

I don't know what it is about the book, but I just can't wrap my head around it. I'm actually a little puzzled by the ending, which is still not entirely clear to me even after I've read it a few times. I think that's a translation trouble–in fact, I think a lot of my confusion comes either from translation ambiguousness or cultural differences. Since I know nothing about the Chinese cultural revolution–or indeed about anything in Chinese history, culture, or politics–I have the overwhelming feeling that all sorts of important themes and references are passing right over my head throughout the story.

Because of that, I advise you to take my review with a grain of salt. After all, I'll be the first to admit that I am on very shaky ground here. But anyway, I did enjoy the book. It was very different from my usual fare, rather strange to my American mind (though Chinese readers might find it perfectly normal, I don't know), and very interesting. It felt like a fairytale in many parts, in large part due to its fairly unrealistic characters. Both Bronze and Sunflower seem unrealistically perfect (never squabbling, never selfish, never unpleasant). The levels of sacrifice they're willing to go through for each other makes their relationship very sweet, but also makes both of them ring false to me.

The troubles they face definitely aren't fairytale-like, though. The family is very poor, and they struggle to afford school (eventually deciding to send just Sunflower because, you know, they hadn't thought about the fact that Bronze wouldn't be able to attend school too before they invited her to stay with them). Toward the middle of the story a swarm of locusts comes through and devours everyone's crops, and people begin to starve. Things get really hard, and Wenxuan doesn't pull any punches when he describes what it's like for them.

I may have a few issues with the choices made by the adults throughout the book, but those pale in comparison to the sense of wonder I feel reading a book that was written in an entirely different language from my own, in a world and a culture entirely distinct from mine, and which has given me a peek into the world of Chinese literature. I loved diving into the world of Bronze and Sunflower for a time, as theirs was an engrossing story that provided a fascinating cultural insight for me, but now I'm ready to set it down and return to my usual fare that strikes closer to home. I'l definitely be keeping an eye out for more international novels in the future.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. ...more

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Jul 13, 2020 Kirsten rated it it was amazing

Warning: this is a weeping book. But it's very much worth it. Beautifully written and deeply touching. The two main characters are a pair of best friends living in rural China during the Cultural Revolution, who eventually become siblings when one of them is adopted by the other's family. The story is very episodic, with a very thin through line - almost more like a series of short stories. But it gives a gorgeous picture of a world that most children, especially in the US, know very little abou ...more

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Jun 14, 2016 Holly Thompson rated it it was amazing

Loved this novel set in a rural Chinese village by Hans Christian Andersen Award winner Cao Wenxuan and translated by Helen Wang. Hoping that many more of his titles will now be translated into English!

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Dec 05, 2019 Claire rated it it was amazing

A tale of the Cultural Revolution from a child's perspective. Emphasizes kindness and understanding in the face of hardship. Demonstrates love and commitment to family. Resilience lies in a balance of defiance and acceptance. Beautifully translated. ...more

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May 23, 2016 Margaret rated it it was ok

Shelves: family, other-cultures, suitable-for-grades-5-6-7, social-issues

The book has important messages but is quite naive in style.

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Aug 21, 2017 Alex Baugh rated it it was amazing

Shelves: family, poverty, historical-fiction, community, middle-grade, china

Bronze and Sunflower is set in communist China during Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution (1966-1976). The goal of the cultural Revolution was to eliminate traditional Chinese life and thought, to replace it with communist ideology and get rid of any opponents. Artists and other intellectual were sent to remote Cadre Schools, where they did heavy manual labor during the day, and attended political re-education meetings at night.

Sunflower, 7, and her father have been living in the country, in a Cad Bronze and Sunflower is set in communist China during Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution (1966-1976). The goal of the cultural Revolution was to eliminate traditional Chinese life and thought, to replace it with communist ideology and get rid of any opponents. Artists and other intellectual were sent to remote Cadre Schools, where they did heavy manual labor during the day, and attended political re-education meetings at night.

Sunflower, 7, and her father have been living in the country, in a Cadre School for a while. Her father is an artist, a sculptor, well-known for his beautiful sunflowers cast in bronze. Sunflower is the only child at the school and very lonely. Since she doesn’t go to school, she often watches the children across the river playing and laughing. When her father dies unexpectedly, women from the Cadre School take Sunflower across the river, to the small village of Damadai, to see if anyone there would take her in.

Only Bronze’s family, the poorest in the village, are willing to accept Sunflower and make her their own. Bronze, a few years older than Sunflower and just as lonely, hasn’t spoken since he was 5 and witnessed what was to him a traumatic event.

Bronze and Sunflower are soon inseparable, seeming to understand each other without the need to speak. Over time, the now-siblings and their loving, but poor family, endure and survive many hardships such as famine, locusts, bitter cold winters, and a fire that destroys their home. The children share not just friendship, but many adventures and good times, as well, like punting little boats on the river, riding to school together on Bronze’s water buffalo, even though only Sunflower is a student, Bronze letting Sunflower sit on his shoulders so that she is high enough see the circus over everyone else's head, even working together as a family making reed shoes to sell in the January market to pay for Sunflowers schooling or grandmother Nainai's medical needs.

Bronze and Sunflower is a beautifully written story about the many sacrifices that were made by Bronze's family when they decided to take in Sunflower, how they lived poor, but with great dignity and love, and how they continued to do that even when forced to make the greatest sacrifice of all.

Chinese life during the cultural revolution is not a usual subject for a children’s book, but Cao has managed to present a picture of rural life that neither sugarcoats nor romanticizes it. In fact, he has produced such a heartwarming story that it has a feeling of timelessness about it despite the time it is actually set in, mainly because Mao’s China takes a backseat to the traditional values of family that the book really demonstrates.

Cao grew up during the 1960s and 1970s and experienced China at that time first hand, which gives his novel a real feeling of authenticity. His descriptions, though beautifully rendered, are often heartbreaking at the same time.

Bronze and Sunflower is a large book, 400 pages long. It is a story of day to day survival, so there is not really a big central conflict. I have to wonder if it will appeal to young readers as much as it appeals to adults. My 12 year old self would have loved getting immersed in the lives of Bronze and Sunflower, but I didn’t grow up with as many distractions as kids have today (video games, screens, instant gratification, etc. I’m not putting these things down, just pointing out how life have become faster). Though I highly recommend it for its thematic portrayals community, family, loyalty, and poverty.

One a personal note: my Kiddo has been home visiting this and when I asked her if her husband’s parents, who both grew up in the midst of the cultural revolution, ever talk about it, she said no, never. They refuse to say anything, but her husband’s grandparents did tell her how hard life was in those days. I’m guessing, they would have really appreciated Bronze and Sunflower.

Bronze and Sunflower won the 2016 Hans Christian Anderson award and was translated from Mandarin by Helen Wang, who won the 2017 Marsh Award for Children’s Literature in Translation for it.

This book is recommended for readers age 9+
This book was an EARC received from NetGalley

Complete review posted at Randomly Reading ...more

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May 07, 2017 Diana rated it it was amazing

Throughout the 400 pages, words paint pictures of little wooden boats, beautiful sunflower fields, paper lanterns, and so much more. You will meet Bronze, an only child who is mute, along with his mother and father and grandmother. Next, you will be introduced to good little Sunflower who has lost her father in a storm and soon is adopted by Bronze's family who is so poor but extremely kind. This lovely story is sure to warm your heart as you see a special close-knit family endure hardships with ...more

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Oct 29, 2017 Michelle Glatt rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction

I really enjoyed this book about a young girl in China who is adopted by a poor village family. I didn't know until reading the author's note that it was set during the Cultural Revolution (which is my fault for a hole in my education/study), and I suspect that many young people reading it will not either. However, the story is first and foremost about love, sacrifice, and endurance in the worst of times. About staying together and supporting each other no matter the struggles life sends you. In ...more

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Nov 11, 2017 Gregory rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I'm enjoying reading books in translation. This book expanded my horizons by telling the story of Bronze and Sunflower during the cultural revolution in China. On the surface it is a happy, childhood story. If you peel back one layer, you find a darker world of enforced labor, hunger, and childhood beatings.

I didn't care for the ending. It felt inevitable but it lost some of it's wonder for me. ...more

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Nov 07, 2017 Quinn F rated it it was amazing

This book deserves a newbery honor. This book has great characters that you love and the author really dives into setting and there is a interesting twist at the end. The only problem is that there is no plot development at all.

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Dec 22, 2020 Eva rated it really liked it

VERY lovely and charming snapshot of life in a little Chinese village. I'm somewhat confused by the end, but I'm just going to assume is an issue with the translation and leave it at that. ...more

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May 03, 2019 Zoe Peszek rated it really liked it

Shelves: international-literature

Wow, wow, wow! There are so many positive messages in this book! I absolutely loved it! We need more heartwarming stories like this one. I love the unexpected relationship between Bronze and Sunflower. A seemingly impossible relationship develops into something so endearing. It is incredible how a poor family was still selfless enough to take in another child when they were struggling to make ends meet for themselves. There are no barriers when it comes to friendship. Even the lack of words coul ...more

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