Growing Up under a Red Flag: A Memoir of Surviving the Chinese Cultural Revolution

As a young child, Ying Chang Compestine, witnesses the revolutionaries destroying the sacred things in her home, even her mother’s delicate pearl necklace. They apprehend her father but not before he’s had the opportunity to teach her English and tell her about the infamous Golden Gate Bridge. In time, the followers of Mao Zedong help strengthen the Chinese Revolution he launched in 1966. Life for ordinary people becomes tumultuous. They’re required to carry a little red book that contains Mao’s teachings and wear a uniform to demonstrate their obedience to him. Ying dreams of freedom and prays it will someday become a reality.

This is a wonderfully written book about history, culture, family, love, hope, and persistence. Despite Ying’s father being gone, with strength and resilience, her mother finds a way to provide for her. Food and money are scarce, and Ying, as just a youth, is responsible for picking up their meager rations. She faces things of which youngsters should never be exposed. This account of her young life is heartfelt and eye-opening. Those ages six to ten will be captivated by it’s storyline as well as the realistic illustrations throughout that bring this non-fiction pick to life.