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Bound Donna Jo Napoli Atheneum Books for Young Readers © 2004 |
Xing Xing is not your average
Chinese girl living in ancient times. She is a salve girl living under her
stepmother's rules. Her mother and father have both perished and she is left
to take care of her stepsister and stepmother. Young Wei Ping(her
stepsister) is bound by the feet. This is a process of shrinking the feet so
they will be smaller and more appealing to young men. Wei Ping is being
prepared to have an arranged marriage, therefore Xing Xing is working a lot
for Wei Ping. Once Wei Ping has lost toes from a Raccoon Kit attacking her,
all hope has vanished of Wei Ping being married. Xing Xing is now in the
spotlight. She is the only one left to bring the family honor. She attends a
ball and loses a shoe. The prince calls an order of a young girl who left
her shoe at the ball. He wants that young lady to be his wife. Xing Xing
fits in the shoe and marries the prince.
This remake of Cinderella was
spectacular. It promotes cultural diversity by portraying the story in that
of a different culture and country. Chinese culture fascinates me and always
has. This book is one I would recommend to readers in 7th through 11th
grades. It is a fairly easy read and is very interesting. Bound is
excellent!
~ Darla Conti, grade 9, Struthers High School