A review by justicepirate
Chu Ju's House by Gloria Whelan

4.0

I read this book to my 13 and 11 year olds. I don't suggest reading it to younger kids, as there is talk about the policies in China during, what seems to be, the 1980s. Chu Ju is a young pre-teen girl who's mother is about to have a baby. If it is a girl, she will be sent away. If it is a boy, the family can keep him. Through certain situations that happen in her family, she runs away in order to help them. She is a hard working girl, and that is shown throughout the book. She is such a great kid. You might have to explain certain things about the culture of China while reading this. We have done past studies so I didn't have to really explain much. Things like what a silk worm is, about sampan fishing boats, maybe advice about why running away is not a healthy choice anywhere, things like that.
Our family fully adored this book. It was well written and kept our attention the whole time.