What do you think?
Rate this book
Chinese Cinderella and the Secret Dragon Society: By the Author of Chinese Cinderella
During her lonely childhood in Shanghai, Adeline Yen Mah wrote adventure stories to escape from her terrible step-mother and cruel siblings. The characters she created often became more real to her than her own family. In Chinese Cinderella and the Secret Dragon Society, Adeline tells the story of Chinese Cinderella, a young girl who, after being thrown out of her home, has no choice but to go out and seek her own destiny. Soon she meets up with a group of children, all orphaned but each from a different background, who live with an old lady called Grandma Wu. Chinese Cinderella, or CC for short, decides her future after consulting an ancient book which helps to show her the way forward. And her choice takes her on a mission to save the lives of others. Based on a true-life incident during World War II. CC and the others bravely rescue a group of American pilots whose plane crashed after a bombing raid on Japan. Although her father is looking for her, CC knows that she can never go back to live with her cruel stepmother, and now there is no turning back.
279 pages, Paperback
First published August 4, 2004
37 people are currently reading
1452 people want to read
About the author
Adeline Yen Mah
12 books649 followersAdeline Yen Mah is a Chinese-American author and physician. She grew up in Tianjin, Shanghai and Hong Kong, and is known for her autobiography Falling Leaves.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
December 3, 2024
"Even though you have suffered much, there's always someone who has suffered more."
Love the writing, the characters and the themes discussed. I appreciate how from the very beginning of the story things have been explained well. But I still wish the beginning was a bit longer and elaborated.
The beginning is like a sequel like some story already happened in some other book and the beginning is just a rushed up summary of what happened in that book.
I appreciate the parts where cruelty towards animals have been brought up and discussed; the Chinese culture and tradition; acceptance and positivity; found family and more amazing adventure that CC experienced and the bird messengers (duh!).
I wanted more elaborate King fu talk or the practice. I wanted more of character development, especially the main character's. And I do feel the historical background of China (duh, the Japanese, the British) has been rushed up and not explored much. If mentioned, I need to know why such topics have been brought up for the story.
And for middle grade books, I really do not like the idea of forced ideas about "independence" used so casually now and then. How is an expert in Kung Fu bring this "independence"? Seems quite inappropriate. Well, that's another might-be controversial topic. I just didn't like the tone of this.
Trigger warnings for domestic violence, strong language, child abuse and neglect, abandonment, police brutality, racism and discrimination.
Just one thing. It's the plot that's everywhere. I want a clear story on what the characters are after. It's more like more preaching and less action.
I wish the society be a little more convincing, have a central role which has a better stronger role in shaping the characters. There's just more focus on nitpicks. I did feel that the entire time ever since 30 percent until the end.
I want to conclude that the cover and the title seem quite misleading. It would be better as a little girl and her other found family sharing their stories. That's it.
I did expect the story to be about something related to Cinderella's story and I would have the dark academia plot. But there's just more blah blah blah let's do this and let's share our sad stories. That's. It.
Do not expect too much when you pick up this book. And yes, again, the title. Disappointing.
Love the writing, the characters and the themes discussed. I appreciate how from the very beginning of the story things have been explained well. But I still wish the beginning was a bit longer and elaborated.
The beginning is like a sequel like some story already happened in some other book and the beginning is just a rushed up summary of what happened in that book.
I appreciate the parts where cruelty towards animals have been brought up and discussed; the Chinese culture and tradition; acceptance and positivity; found family and more amazing adventure that CC experienced and the bird messengers (duh!).
I wanted more elaborate King fu talk or the practice. I wanted more of character development, especially the main character's. And I do feel the historical background of China (duh, the Japanese, the British) has been rushed up and not explored much. If mentioned, I need to know why such topics have been brought up for the story.
And for middle grade books, I really do not like the idea of forced ideas about "independence" used so casually now and then. How is an expert in Kung Fu bring this "independence"? Seems quite inappropriate. Well, that's another might-be controversial topic. I just didn't like the tone of this.
Trigger warnings for domestic violence, strong language, child abuse and neglect, abandonment, police brutality, racism and discrimination.
Just one thing. It's the plot that's everywhere. I want a clear story on what the characters are after. It's more like more preaching and less action.
I wish the society be a little more convincing, have a central role which has a better stronger role in shaping the characters. There's just more focus on nitpicks. I did feel that the entire time ever since 30 percent until the end.
I want to conclude that the cover and the title seem quite misleading. It would be better as a little girl and her other found family sharing their stories. That's it.
I did expect the story to be about something related to Cinderella's story and I would have the dark academia plot. But there's just more blah blah blah let's do this and let's share our sad stories. That's. It.
Do not expect too much when you pick up this book. And yes, again, the title. Disappointing.
February 28, 2025
First, after reading Chinese Cinderella: The True Story of an Unwanted Daughter by Adeline Yen Mah , I decided to watch the movie "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo" as, in the author's note, I found that she used to read her writings, about the "The Ruptured Duck", to her closest friend in primary school. Her novella is inspired from the movie. I wanted to live the exact feelings of her friend as if I just watched the movie in cinemas and now ready to listen to her tales of Chinese Cinderella and the Secret Dragon Society: By the Author of Chinese Cinderella!
Second, this book was written from Adeline memories of her childhood made up stories and tales she wrote for her friend. It targets kids and so you may find it quite childish. However, it is probably beneficial to know about war crimes and how everyone was deliberately pushed into this massacre through such an ironic and adventurous tale.
I loved The Secret Dragon Society and it really raised up my enthusiasm to get to learn a brutal sport such as kung fu. I believe I need to learn more about the Chinese history, and here is some starters to begin with, enjoy:
What makes the Great Wall of China so extraordinary - Megan Campisi and Pen-Pen Chen
The incredible history of China's terracotta warriors - Megan Campisi and Pen-Pen Chen
The history of tea - Shunan Teng
Who was Confucius? - Bryan W. Van Norden
The myth behind the Chinese zodiac - Megan Campisi and Pen-Pen Chen
2,000 Years of Chinese History! The Mandate of Heaven and Confucius: World History #7
And now to watching the World War 2 Apocalypse Documentary:
Apocalypse World War 2 [HD] Episodes 1-6
July 7, 2011
In Chinese Cinderella: the True Story of an Unwanted Chinese Daughter, Adeline Yen Mah told the story of her life growing up in Shanghai, China during the 1940s as the daughter of a prosperous father and a cruel stepmother. In Chinese Cinderella and the Secret Dragon Society, she has taken the same story and turned it into an exciting fantasy novel.
Ye Xian, nicknamed Chinese Cinderella or CC, is 12 when her father throws her out of the house for being disrespectful to her stepmother. She befriends three boys who live with their kung fu teacher, Grandma Wu, at the Martial Arts Academy. David is half American, half Chinese and a Christian; Sam is half German, half Chinese and Jewish; Marat is half Russian, Japanese and Muslim; Grandma Wu is Chinese and a Buddhist. The boys are orphans, very proficient in kung fu, and belong to The Dragon Society, a branch of the Shaolin Association of Wandering Knights, dedicated to helping the oppressed and downtrodden.
Pretty soon, CC has also joined them and becomes quite skillful at kung fu and wishes to join the society. China has been occupied by the Japanese since 1937 and it is now 1942. One night, Grandma Wu and her son, Master Wu, gather the children together and explain a secret plan to help American flyers who are planning to bomb Japan. They soon travel to southeast China, but the plan goes awry and the group end up rescuing 5 Americans who crash land on the Chinese island of Nan Tian. Now, they must get the badly injured Americans to mainland China where they can get medical help, but the sea around the island are patrolled by Japanese soldiers.
They finally do manage to board a sail boat called a Junk, but soon they are pursued by a Japanese gunboat. It looks like they will all be caught when the breeze dies down and the Junk comes to a standstill. But they are saved by Ling Ling, a dolphin that had been befriended and trained by David and her dolphin cousin Bumby.
Back in Shanghai, CC, whose family thinks she has been living with her beloved Big Aunt, is advised to move back home because her stepmother is threatening to accuse her aunt of kidnapping. But living at home doesn’t last long. When CC receives a package from Big Aunt, who has been temporarily living on Nan Tian Island, which incriminates both of them in the rescue of the Americans, her stepmother implies she is going to permanently end CC relationship with her aunt.
CC runs away to Grandma Wu, but they receive very bad news about a violent Japanese attack in Nan Tian, including the death of Big Aunt. CC naturally suspects her stepmother of having a hand in this unusually cruel behavior. At the same time, she comes up with a plan to rescue other Americans being held prisoner by the Japanese at Bridge House in Shanghai, the same prison Marat’s older brother is a prisoner. Can yet another exciting escape succeed?
I thought this was a very interesting tense story, full of adventure, though sometimes the writing was a little too pedantic. Nevertheless, Yen Mah writes compassionately about these children who are considered to be outcasts by society. The tone of the whole story is one of hope and resourcefulness even in the face of brutality, oppression and vindictiveness – by the Japanese occupiers and for CC, also by her stepmother. In the face of all that, friendship, overcoming, and even acceptance become important themes throughout the story.
Through CC’s initiation into The Dragon Society, Yen Mah is able to weave extensive explanations about important Chinese culture and beliefs into the story. At the heart of The Secret Dragon Society is the philosophy of Taoism, including the life force Qi (pronounced Chee), the Yi Jing (or I Ching), the concepts of yin yang, the principles of strength, power and control embedded in kung fu and the Chinese Zodiac. Sometimes this gets complicated. For instance, when CC is told to consult the Yi Jing by casting the yarrow sticks before joining the society, I was totally lost. I found the writing confusing here, though it did peak my interest in the Yi Jing and I will probably get more information on it. I am afraid younger readers might just skip over these parts, but hopefully not be discouraged from finishing CCs story.
The central story, the rescue of the Americans, is based on a true event. In April 1942, Jimmy Doolittle actually did lead a bombing raid on Japan, but the outcome was very different than the one in Chinese Cinderella and the Secret Dragon Society.
This book is a historical novel and so there is a Historical Note at the end of the book, which I would recommend reading first. It gives a brief history of the author’s family and the Japanese occupation of China and the true events surrounding the bombing of Japan and its cruel aftermath unleashed by the Japanese against the Chinese. In that way, the reader knows what is factual and what has been fabricated by the author.
Despite some of the problems with this novel, I would still highly recommend it. Personally, I think it would be more beneficial for this novel to be read under the guidance of a teacher, given some of the content. There is an extensive teaching guide available on Adeline Yen Mah’s website that would be very useful for that. And it might be interesting to read this fantasy novel in tandem with its biographical counterpart, Chinese Cinderella: the True Story of an Unwanted Daughter.
This book is recommended for readers age 10-14.
This book was purchased for my personal library.
Chinese Cinderella and the Secret Dragon Society was read as part of The Summer 2011 Diversify Your Reading Challenge
Ye Xian, nicknamed Chinese Cinderella or CC, is 12 when her father throws her out of the house for being disrespectful to her stepmother. She befriends three boys who live with their kung fu teacher, Grandma Wu, at the Martial Arts Academy. David is half American, half Chinese and a Christian; Sam is half German, half Chinese and Jewish; Marat is half Russian, Japanese and Muslim; Grandma Wu is Chinese and a Buddhist. The boys are orphans, very proficient in kung fu, and belong to The Dragon Society, a branch of the Shaolin Association of Wandering Knights, dedicated to helping the oppressed and downtrodden.
Pretty soon, CC has also joined them and becomes quite skillful at kung fu and wishes to join the society. China has been occupied by the Japanese since 1937 and it is now 1942. One night, Grandma Wu and her son, Master Wu, gather the children together and explain a secret plan to help American flyers who are planning to bomb Japan. They soon travel to southeast China, but the plan goes awry and the group end up rescuing 5 Americans who crash land on the Chinese island of Nan Tian. Now, they must get the badly injured Americans to mainland China where they can get medical help, but the sea around the island are patrolled by Japanese soldiers.
They finally do manage to board a sail boat called a Junk, but soon they are pursued by a Japanese gunboat. It looks like they will all be caught when the breeze dies down and the Junk comes to a standstill. But they are saved by Ling Ling, a dolphin that had been befriended and trained by David and her dolphin cousin Bumby.
Back in Shanghai, CC, whose family thinks she has been living with her beloved Big Aunt, is advised to move back home because her stepmother is threatening to accuse her aunt of kidnapping. But living at home doesn’t last long. When CC receives a package from Big Aunt, who has been temporarily living on Nan Tian Island, which incriminates both of them in the rescue of the Americans, her stepmother implies she is going to permanently end CC relationship with her aunt.
CC runs away to Grandma Wu, but they receive very bad news about a violent Japanese attack in Nan Tian, including the death of Big Aunt. CC naturally suspects her stepmother of having a hand in this unusually cruel behavior. At the same time, she comes up with a plan to rescue other Americans being held prisoner by the Japanese at Bridge House in Shanghai, the same prison Marat’s older brother is a prisoner. Can yet another exciting escape succeed?
I thought this was a very interesting tense story, full of adventure, though sometimes the writing was a little too pedantic. Nevertheless, Yen Mah writes compassionately about these children who are considered to be outcasts by society. The tone of the whole story is one of hope and resourcefulness even in the face of brutality, oppression and vindictiveness – by the Japanese occupiers and for CC, also by her stepmother. In the face of all that, friendship, overcoming, and even acceptance become important themes throughout the story.
Through CC’s initiation into The Dragon Society, Yen Mah is able to weave extensive explanations about important Chinese culture and beliefs into the story. At the heart of The Secret Dragon Society is the philosophy of Taoism, including the life force Qi (pronounced Chee), the Yi Jing (or I Ching), the concepts of yin yang, the principles of strength, power and control embedded in kung fu and the Chinese Zodiac. Sometimes this gets complicated. For instance, when CC is told to consult the Yi Jing by casting the yarrow sticks before joining the society, I was totally lost. I found the writing confusing here, though it did peak my interest in the Yi Jing and I will probably get more information on it. I am afraid younger readers might just skip over these parts, but hopefully not be discouraged from finishing CCs story.
The central story, the rescue of the Americans, is based on a true event. In April 1942, Jimmy Doolittle actually did lead a bombing raid on Japan, but the outcome was very different than the one in Chinese Cinderella and the Secret Dragon Society.
This book is a historical novel and so there is a Historical Note at the end of the book, which I would recommend reading first. It gives a brief history of the author’s family and the Japanese occupation of China and the true events surrounding the bombing of Japan and its cruel aftermath unleashed by the Japanese against the Chinese. In that way, the reader knows what is factual and what has been fabricated by the author.
Despite some of the problems with this novel, I would still highly recommend it. Personally, I think it would be more beneficial for this novel to be read under the guidance of a teacher, given some of the content. There is an extensive teaching guide available on Adeline Yen Mah’s website that would be very useful for that. And it might be interesting to read this fantasy novel in tandem with its biographical counterpart, Chinese Cinderella: the True Story of an Unwanted Daughter.
This book is recommended for readers age 10-14.
This book was purchased for my personal library.
Chinese Cinderella and the Secret Dragon Society was read as part of The Summer 2011 Diversify Your Reading Challenge
August 29, 2011
Yet another review by yours truly! So here's the story: I went to the library to pick up a few books, like I usually do, and I saw this amazing beauty on the shelf. I just love the cover. It has a dragon people! A dragon! Do you know how much I bloody love dragons? (It's one of the main reasons I love Eon but Allison Goodman so much!) Anyway, when I saw that cover and read what it was about, I just had to take it home with me. I mean, it's about a girl who is treated harshly by her stepmother whilst being thrown into what the Chinese went through during WWII with some fantasy elements mixed in. How could I resist? However, I was disappointed once I started to read it. As a historical book about the war, it's an amazing read. Buy as a fantasy book with a Cinderella twist, it was sorely lacking. There really isn't much to the plot and the characters are bland as hell. I was hoping to get a lot more out of it... too bad I didn't.
Adeline Yen Mah's writing style was very simple. Almost juvenile. I'm not too big of a fan on her writing style. I thought, given the subject matter, it should have been a bit more complex. Although, considering this is meant more for children than it is for, say, a historian, I do not fault her for writing this book so simply. The historical facts are written clearly and to the point. No one will be able to overlook something because of it. And trust me, I did enjoy those aspects of the book. Now, for the parts of the story I thought Mah could have improved on. The fantasy parts. Where's the fantasy? There were only two scenes that had some kind of fantasy twist to it and even then, it is very hard to see it. If Mah's main goal was to let people know how the Chinese suffered during the time of WWII then she should had written a book solely on that. But no. She wanted to write a "fantasy novel that included a lot of realism." ...do you even know the meaning of "fantasy?" Oh well, I'm just being picky. Another thing should could improve on were her characters. I'll explain why below.
They. All. Had. The. Same. Personality. I'm not even kidding. There were no distinctions between the behavioral patterns or how they talked. Every single one of them was so boring I had to force myself to keep my eyes open. Besides having one trait that made them stick out from the others (one was great in martial arts, another was very smart, etc.), they all acted the same... as if Mah didn't know how to change her characters personality. Not even Ye Xian(or CC), our protagonist, had anything remarkable about her. (The only thing that made her awesome was when she bit her stepmother... was that a spoiler?) Speaking of stepmother, she's the only other character that had a different personality but that's because she is supposed to be overly bitchy. I didn't like her... What can I say? I was not a fan of the plot of CC being abused by both her stepmother and father and the characters being all the same with the exception of one. Come on, Mah! You could have done better in that aspect!
I can't really talk much more about the book. It's very short and I fear I might let something slip if I keep going. As I've said, it's a decent book. If you are looking for a book that shows the Chinese side of things during the war then pick this book up. It will not disappoint you then. However, if you are looking for a fantastical adventure that incorporates the story of Cinderella and WWII, then you're are going to be disappointed. I know I was. Then, you must be wondering why I gave it a three? Well, it's great with the historical facts, you get to picture China in your mind, and I just love Marat (he's one of the few characters I loved in this book on account of the fact he knew a whole bunch of languages)! And we all know how much I love languages. (I may be a little biased towards his character... XP) Anyway, if you're curious, go ahead and pick this book up! But I advise to get it from the library first then purchase it if you really like it. Well, that's all from me today! See you soon with my next review! ^_^
Adeline Yen Mah's writing style was very simple. Almost juvenile. I'm not too big of a fan on her writing style. I thought, given the subject matter, it should have been a bit more complex. Although, considering this is meant more for children than it is for, say, a historian, I do not fault her for writing this book so simply. The historical facts are written clearly and to the point. No one will be able to overlook something because of it. And trust me, I did enjoy those aspects of the book. Now, for the parts of the story I thought Mah could have improved on. The fantasy parts. Where's the fantasy? There were only two scenes that had some kind of fantasy twist to it and even then, it is very hard to see it. If Mah's main goal was to let people know how the Chinese suffered during the time of WWII then she should had written a book solely on that. But no. She wanted to write a "fantasy novel that included a lot of realism." ...do you even know the meaning of "fantasy?" Oh well, I'm just being picky. Another thing should could improve on were her characters. I'll explain why below.
They. All. Had. The. Same. Personality. I'm not even kidding. There were no distinctions between the behavioral patterns or how they talked. Every single one of them was so boring I had to force myself to keep my eyes open. Besides having one trait that made them stick out from the others (one was great in martial arts, another was very smart, etc.), they all acted the same... as if Mah didn't know how to change her characters personality. Not even Ye Xian(or CC), our protagonist, had anything remarkable about her. (The only thing that made her awesome was when she bit her stepmother... was that a spoiler?) Speaking of stepmother, she's the only other character that had a different personality but that's because she is supposed to be overly bitchy. I didn't like her... What can I say? I was not a fan of the plot of CC being abused by both her stepmother and father and the characters being all the same with the exception of one. Come on, Mah! You could have done better in that aspect!
I can't really talk much more about the book. It's very short and I fear I might let something slip if I keep going. As I've said, it's a decent book. If you are looking for a book that shows the Chinese side of things during the war then pick this book up. It will not disappoint you then. However, if you are looking for a fantastical adventure that incorporates the story of Cinderella and WWII, then you're are going to be disappointed. I know I was. Then, you must be wondering why I gave it a three? Well, it's great with the historical facts, you get to picture China in your mind, and I just love Marat (he's one of the few characters I loved in this book on account of the fact he knew a whole bunch of languages)! And we all know how much I love languages. (I may be a little biased towards his character... XP) Anyway, if you're curious, go ahead and pick this book up! But I advise to get it from the library first then purchase it if you really like it. Well, that's all from me today! See you soon with my next review! ^_^
June 29, 2010
Chinese Cinderella and the Secret Dragon Society written by a well loved author Adeline Yen Mah is a tale of a twelve-year-old girl living in Shanghai in the time of Japan invasion. Its a brilliantly written book with history making historical events. Most of the events based in this story are true which makes it so heart breaking to read because knowing that these happened to people, well tears you apart.
CC or Chinese Cinderella (her Chinese name is Ye Xian) 'ran away' from home because her Niang (step-mother) was being mean and over controlling to her and the he thing is her dad doesn't really care. So CC lives with her Big Aunt (a wonderful lady). Her Big Aunt had to go to Nan Tian to look after her god mother leaving CC. So CC is forced to go and stay with her father and Niang until her Big Aunt comes back. But things turn worse at home. Her Niang slaps her for being disobedient and in defence CC bit her. That made CC father throw her out of home. With no where to go she goes to the place on the card (a boy gave her the card), the place promises a place for refuge for people like her. CC goes there and by fate she meets Grandma Wu who actually knows Big Aunt. There the story characters widen. You meet Marat a muslim, David a Christian and Sam a Jewish. They all have a painful past of their own and their all a part of the Secret Dragon Society. When CC joins the society her life changes dramatically.
CC or Chinese Cinderella (her Chinese name is Ye Xian) 'ran away' from home because her Niang (step-mother) was being mean and over controlling to her and the he thing is her dad doesn't really care. So CC lives with her Big Aunt (a wonderful lady). Her Big Aunt had to go to Nan Tian to look after her god mother leaving CC. So CC is forced to go and stay with her father and Niang until her Big Aunt comes back. But things turn worse at home. Her Niang slaps her for being disobedient and in defence CC bit her. That made CC father throw her out of home. With no where to go she goes to the place on the card (a boy gave her the card), the place promises a place for refuge for people like her. CC goes there and by fate she meets Grandma Wu who actually knows Big Aunt. There the story characters widen. You meet Marat a muslim, David a Christian and Sam a Jewish. They all have a painful past of their own and their all a part of the Secret Dragon Society. When CC joins the society her life changes dramatically.
October 29, 2013
Chinese Cinderella And the Secret Dragon Society is a memoir of the author, Adeline Yen Mah. It takes place in china during World War II .
This book is about a young Chinese girl named Ye Xian or CC. It all starts when she is kicked out of her house for calling her fathers girlfriend "fathers new woman" and not Niang (Mama). Once she is kicked out, she wanders around and stumbles upon the secret dragon society of wandering knights. This is a secret organization that is wanted by the Japanese for helping the Allied Powers. She faces and internal battle as to whether or not to help the dragon society or go home and beg for her father's forgiveness.
One of the key plot ideas for this book is independence. Throughout the book, CC is learning how to be independent from her father and the norms of society.
Another key idea is to not pay attention to a persons race and to love them for who they are and not for what they are. Many of the people in the dragon society are discriminated against for being mixed raced in China. For example, one of the boys is a Chinese Jew, another is a Chinese German, and another is Chinese Hindu. At their school, they are forced to wear armbands that signify their race. The purebred Chinese make fun of them for being mixed race. The dragon society allows them a means for support where they are not judged for their race.
The motto of the dragon society is Zi Qiang bu xi, which means motivate yourself to work hard and be strong always. In the book even when cc is kicked out of her home, when she get to the dragon society she is still expected to get good grades. In fact she is expected to get better grades than all the other children. The dragon society is partly a boarding school to help orphans, and those orphans are taught martial arts, kung Fu, inner strength, and friendship. The wandering knights take knowledge very seriously. They say “ knowledge is power” because they are helping the Americans in the war with knowledge.
Overall I loved this book and would read it again. It is a riveting memoir o fan unwanted Chinese daughter. The author tells the story from her point of view and gives a realistic account of her terrible childhood with historical insight. I had trouble putting it down
This book is about a young Chinese girl named Ye Xian or CC. It all starts when she is kicked out of her house for calling her fathers girlfriend "fathers new woman" and not Niang (Mama). Once she is kicked out, she wanders around and stumbles upon the secret dragon society of wandering knights. This is a secret organization that is wanted by the Japanese for helping the Allied Powers. She faces and internal battle as to whether or not to help the dragon society or go home and beg for her father's forgiveness.
One of the key plot ideas for this book is independence. Throughout the book, CC is learning how to be independent from her father and the norms of society.
Another key idea is to not pay attention to a persons race and to love them for who they are and not for what they are. Many of the people in the dragon society are discriminated against for being mixed raced in China. For example, one of the boys is a Chinese Jew, another is a Chinese German, and another is Chinese Hindu. At their school, they are forced to wear armbands that signify their race. The purebred Chinese make fun of them for being mixed race. The dragon society allows them a means for support where they are not judged for their race.
The motto of the dragon society is Zi Qiang bu xi, which means motivate yourself to work hard and be strong always. In the book even when cc is kicked out of her home, when she get to the dragon society she is still expected to get good grades. In fact she is expected to get better grades than all the other children. The dragon society is partly a boarding school to help orphans, and those orphans are taught martial arts, kung Fu, inner strength, and friendship. The wandering knights take knowledge very seriously. They say “ knowledge is power” because they are helping the Americans in the war with knowledge.
Overall I loved this book and would read it again. It is a riveting memoir o fan unwanted Chinese daughter. The author tells the story from her point of view and gives a realistic account of her terrible childhood with historical insight. I had trouble putting it down
January 8, 2013
This book was really fun to read because the plot(the whole thing) was just magnificent. The time period of the story was during the time of world war II, where the Japanese had just bombed Pearl Harbor. It was about a girl named Chinese Cinderella, CC for short, who goes to the Dragon Society, which are the people who help the Chinese in times of need. My favorite part of the book was when CC fought against her stepmother for her rights. I really liked that part because CC's stepmother was a complete freak who wanted to control CC, so her fighting allowed me to understand her true nature, a person who fights for her beliefs and that makes the book even better as it goes on because I would be able to make predictions based on CC's character. The fight was also one of the many amazing action and suspenseful scenes because I kept wandering, " what is CC going to do now?" The best quality I like about his story though, is that it kind of teaches me what the Chinese went through in the war.The book was realistic and historical fiction and was truly worth my time. Therefore I give it 5 out of 5 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2009
The book is about a chinese cinderella who was thrown out of her house by her cruel stepmother on to the dangerous streets of shanghai, she then takes refuge with Grandma Wu in her Martial Arts Academy. There she becomes a part of a whole new family, making friends with three remarkable boys acrobats and learning kung fu. One day the four children embark on a secret mission that changes their lives and the course of history forever...
January 3, 2023
Started of as a fun light read, but I feel it covered the really dark aspects of the war really well. It didn't shy away from the absolute cruelty of the invading Japanese, but also kept the elements of belonging and found family, and how war corrupts all and there is no true evil.
Hearing about the story it was based on was quite sad, because in reality the American POWs never did escape the prison.
I think it's a 3 1/2 for me, but I bumped it up to 4.
Hearing about the story it was based on was quite sad, because in reality the American POWs never did escape the prison.
I think it's a 3 1/2 for me, but I bumped it up to 4.
November 1, 2011
i started to read this book because my friend had recommended this book for me because of the emotion and conflict it has.
the category on the bingo table is that it has a main character that is a female.
the first thing i liked about this book was the start of it and how "CC" had been abused from her stepmother. i liked that because of the detail wording in which the author described the feelings and hatred "CC" had towards her stepmother and father from her stepmother had done to her but also her father never took the chance to believe her. the second thing i liked about this book was how "CC" bounced backup in life as she started to get the support and help from the "Secret Dragon Society" in which she had been taught many different things than she thought she would need but throught the middle to end "CC" was going to have a big role on her hands as she was going to be a war between the West and East.
i did not like anything about the book because the book gave a true story feeling with the emotion and courage.
i would recommended this book to people who have like emotion and redemption wording a this book has those two key things in this book and it teaches you that people may go through rough patches but they can then be a leader of a army that can save the world or themselves.
the category on the bingo table is that it has a main character that is a female.
the first thing i liked about this book was the start of it and how "CC" had been abused from her stepmother. i liked that because of the detail wording in which the author described the feelings and hatred "CC" had towards her stepmother and father from her stepmother had done to her but also her father never took the chance to believe her. the second thing i liked about this book was how "CC" bounced backup in life as she started to get the support and help from the "Secret Dragon Society" in which she had been taught many different things than she thought she would need but throught the middle to end "CC" was going to have a big role on her hands as she was going to be a war between the West and East.
i did not like anything about the book because the book gave a true story feeling with the emotion and courage.
i would recommended this book to people who have like emotion and redemption wording a this book has those two key things in this book and it teaches you that people may go through rough patches but they can then be a leader of a army that can save the world or themselves.
August 8, 2007
"Ye Xian dijuluki Chinese Cinderella oleh Bibi Sulung. Dari inisial julukan itulah Ye Xian mendapat nama baratnya, CC. Karena bertengkar dengan ibu tirinya, CC diusir dari rumahnya dan bergabung dengan kelompok Long Xia Hui. Di kelompok itu, dia bersahabat dengan Sam, Marat dan David yang merupakan anak2 blasteran. Mereka mendapatkan tugas untuk menyelamatkan pilot2 Amerika dari kekejaman tentara Jepang..."
Cerita ini ditulis Adeline Yen Mah berdasarkan kejadian nyata yang terjadi di Cina pada Perang Dunia II. Adeline menulis cerita ini saat masih di bangku SD untuk mengusir kesepian. Adeline dengan lugas menuliskan perasaannya yang sedih dan kesepian melalui tokoh CC. Waktu gw baca buku ini, gw merasakan ketegangan bagaimana CC dan kawan2 mencoba menyelamatkan para pilot Amerika dari patroli Jepang. Gw juga merasakan kesedihan CC karena diperlakukan buruk oleh ibu tirinya dan ayahnya tidak bisa berbuat apa2. Bisa dibilang, Adeline menempatkan dirinya sebagai CC.
Melalui buku ini, kita bisa mendapatkan pesan mengenai kekejaman perang, persahabatan, dan juga kasih sayang keluarga.
Cerita ini ditulis Adeline Yen Mah berdasarkan kejadian nyata yang terjadi di Cina pada Perang Dunia II. Adeline menulis cerita ini saat masih di bangku SD untuk mengusir kesepian. Adeline dengan lugas menuliskan perasaannya yang sedih dan kesepian melalui tokoh CC. Waktu gw baca buku ini, gw merasakan ketegangan bagaimana CC dan kawan2 mencoba menyelamatkan para pilot Amerika dari patroli Jepang. Gw juga merasakan kesedihan CC karena diperlakukan buruk oleh ibu tirinya dan ayahnya tidak bisa berbuat apa2. Bisa dibilang, Adeline menempatkan dirinya sebagai CC.
Melalui buku ini, kita bisa mendapatkan pesan mengenai kekejaman perang, persahabatan, dan juga kasih sayang keluarga.
March 1, 2017
Chinese Cinderella and the Secret Dragon Society by Adeline Yen Mah is a historical fiction story that will blow your mind. I do not like reading, but this book grabbed my attention because I cannot imagine reading about a twelve-year-old girl going through the toughest moment of her life during the World War ll. The book takes place in Shanghai, China about the main character, Ye Xian, who gets thrown out of the house by her father, she has nowhere to go, but to join a group of people that fights against the Japanese. It is very interesting because there are a lot of dialogue that makes me feel different kinds of emotions. My favorite part of the story is when the main characters read a piece of yellow silk, it said, "We are in China at this moment in history for a reason. We are here to make a difference. We are children of destiny who will unite East and West and change the world. The future belongs to us!" This connected with the theme, it tells us that we can change the future but not the past. The future is in our hands, we can make our future better but we can also ruin it.
June 16, 2014
-~*THIS BOOK WAS SUCCESSFUL IN MAKING ME CRY*~-
I first read this book in my last year of Primary School but I still find it to be engaging and inspiring at the same time as being heart wrenching.
It is the tale of twelve-year-old Ye Xian (Chinese Cinderella) who was living in Shanghai at the time of the Japanese invasion. The novel is an updated exciting fictional and fantastical version of Adeline Yen Mah's childhood story from when she was growing up (Chinese Cinderella: the True Story of an Unwanted Chinese Daughter). In the story CC's father finds her a new 'Niang; a stepmother who she struggles to get along with. The stepmother is nasty and cruel yet CC is thrown out of her own home as her father doesn't understand.
She stumbles upon 'The Secret Dragon Society' where she takes refuge with Grandma Wu from the dangerous streets of Shanghai.
The story is wonderfully written and is different to the type of books which I read between the ages of 10 and 15. However, this difference is not one which is off putting at all making it a definite recommendation of mine.
I first read this book in my last year of Primary School but I still find it to be engaging and inspiring at the same time as being heart wrenching.
It is the tale of twelve-year-old Ye Xian (Chinese Cinderella) who was living in Shanghai at the time of the Japanese invasion. The novel is an updated exciting fictional and fantastical version of Adeline Yen Mah's childhood story from when she was growing up (Chinese Cinderella: the True Story of an Unwanted Chinese Daughter). In the story CC's father finds her a new 'Niang; a stepmother who she struggles to get along with. The stepmother is nasty and cruel yet CC is thrown out of her own home as her father doesn't understand.
She stumbles upon 'The Secret Dragon Society' where she takes refuge with Grandma Wu from the dangerous streets of Shanghai.
The story is wonderfully written and is different to the type of books which I read between the ages of 10 and 15. However, this difference is not one which is off putting at all making it a definite recommendation of mine.
December 29, 2010
This book had a rather weak start, but I found it went better as I went along. Some parts were a bit cheesy and unbelievable and the author explained Chinese philosophy to the point that I felt like I'd been proselytized. In the author's defense, this is JF and she was probably trying to give the reader enough background knowledge to follow the story.
It's a quick read, engaging once I got past the beginning and once I made it halfway, I found it hard to put down. This book takes place during WWII and is about a fictionalized group known as the Secret Dragon Society resisting the Japanese occupation. I like that the author treated the few Japanese characters who appear in the book as individuals. She also included historical notes, letting the reader know which parts of the book really happened and which were fiction.
It's a quick read, engaging once I got past the beginning and once I made it halfway, I found it hard to put down. This book takes place during WWII and is about a fictionalized group known as the Secret Dragon Society resisting the Japanese occupation. I like that the author treated the few Japanese characters who appear in the book as individuals. She also included historical notes, letting the reader know which parts of the book really happened and which were fiction.
February 26, 2012
I decided to read this book because, a couple of mates of mine had recently skimmed through it and recommended to read it as it had a very touching story-line. This novel expresses the difference about diversity and is real cultural based about the Chinese traditions. I don't usually enjoy reading non-fiction stories but i definitely found the Chinese culture interesting. The book was mainly based on a young girl that had grew up in a tough love environment, she had been through so much having been departed from her family and put into boarding school. One thing I will take out of this book is that, we should be very grateful about the life we have today, there are so many kids in this world that aren't getting the love we have. QUOTE TO BE COMPLETED!
December 22, 2015
Chinese Cinderella And The Secret Dragon Society by Adeline Yen Mah is a very interesting book. It tells the story of CC and how she must deal with an abusive step-mother while aiding a society. The society's purpose is to aid the Allied Powers (USA, France, UK, etc.) and to liberate China from the Japanese during WWII. I really enjoyed this book. The author crafted the characters in a way that let me connect with them and relate with them. The author also changed the genre of the book from historical fiction to historical thriller in the span of a couple of pages. That is a work of art. I really enjoyed this book and I think that everybody should read this, even if they don't like Historical Fiction.
April 18, 2016
I think that this book was a really good one as it was a book about how Japan also becomes as greedy as the Germans for money and power, joins hands with them and snatches away the human rights from all the people in China. It also shows as to how Ye Xian who is also known as CC (Chinese Cinderella) and her group of friends from the secret dragon society stands up to fight against the Japanese by helping the Americans who attack Japan for the first time ever in History all of these incidents occurred during the second world war. I mainly liked reading this book because it was a true story that was written with different character names and a bits of edited story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2022
This is a World War 2 story that takes place in China and follows an 11-year-old girl from a wealthy family who is living an awful life due to her cruel stepmother. Through sheer chance she meets this secret group of kung fu freedom fighters and finally feels like she fits in but things are far from safe. Japan is invading China and searching for American soldiers as well as anyone helping them.
So I liked some parts of this story but didn't care for other parts. I guess I find it hard to believe that a bunch of 11-year-old kids can be heroes and save lives during China's occupation by Japan. Or that they can think up plans that actually work to help American soldiers. It's a bit much to accept. Then there was all the spy stuff in here. I really don't like spy stories very much...and there was a lot of spy stuff in the second half. Even codes and under cover work sneaking about here and there... I think it was supposed to be exciting but I didn't find it exciting at all? I was just thinking "ok, enough with the spy stuff".
The parts I did enjoy were the personal moments or the special moments. The tea ceremony that spoke about mindfulness: I just loved that! In fact I loved that so much I took photos of the two pages and sent them to my yoga teacher as she is always talking about mindfulness too! Another scene I loved was the bit about the Japanese soldier in the woods with the panda. It reminds us that many soldiers are just ordinary people who were forced into the service by their government and they don't really want to kill anyone...this one was apparently a scientist and was awed by seeing a live panda. There is also a scene with a dolphin too but the panda was definitely better.
I can certainly relate to CC, the main character. She is badly mistreated by her awful stepmother which is how she gets the nickname of Chinese Cinderella... And she certainly feels like an outcast too. In fact most of the main children characters in here are outcasts who finally feel at home with each other.
But...
I have mixed feelings about this Dragon society that takes them in and makes them (offers them the opportunity) to make a lifelong vow to this group. They are taught meditation and kung fu and a huge host of skills (and given a home as well) but is a child of just 11 really capable of making such a decision? Even most teenagers don't know what they want. Or who they love. So how can a child make such a huge life changing vow, especially one that risks their lives? And since these offers come at a time when these kids are homeless, well, isn't that praying on them in a weakened state when they are more likely to say yes? I guess the reader is not supposed to think about this sort of stuff but then I am generally more insightful about stuff so of course I think about this. And I have doubts about how right this is...
I did find the story very interesting. It is quite the adventure story with action, dangerous moments and it tells us what life was like in China in 1942. I did find the one scene near the end hard to believe, one involving some American soldiers. Most WW2 stories are set in Europe so it's good to see what was going on in China.
Still this was a bit more gloomy and a harder read than I had expected.
So I liked some parts of this story but didn't care for other parts. I guess I find it hard to believe that a bunch of 11-year-old kids can be heroes and save lives during China's occupation by Japan. Or that they can think up plans that actually work to help American soldiers. It's a bit much to accept. Then there was all the spy stuff in here. I really don't like spy stories very much...and there was a lot of spy stuff in the second half. Even codes and under cover work sneaking about here and there... I think it was supposed to be exciting but I didn't find it exciting at all? I was just thinking "ok, enough with the spy stuff".
The parts I did enjoy were the personal moments or the special moments. The tea ceremony that spoke about mindfulness: I just loved that! In fact I loved that so much I took photos of the two pages and sent them to my yoga teacher as she is always talking about mindfulness too! Another scene I loved was the bit about the Japanese soldier in the woods with the panda. It reminds us that many soldiers are just ordinary people who were forced into the service by their government and they don't really want to kill anyone...this one was apparently a scientist and was awed by seeing a live panda. There is also a scene with a dolphin too but the panda was definitely better.
I can certainly relate to CC, the main character. She is badly mistreated by her awful stepmother which is how she gets the nickname of Chinese Cinderella... And she certainly feels like an outcast too. In fact most of the main children characters in here are outcasts who finally feel at home with each other.
But...
I have mixed feelings about this Dragon society that takes them in and makes them (offers them the opportunity) to make a lifelong vow to this group. They are taught meditation and kung fu and a huge host of skills (and given a home as well) but is a child of just 11 really capable of making such a decision? Even most teenagers don't know what they want. Or who they love. So how can a child make such a huge life changing vow, especially one that risks their lives? And since these offers come at a time when these kids are homeless, well, isn't that praying on them in a weakened state when they are more likely to say yes? I guess the reader is not supposed to think about this sort of stuff but then I am generally more insightful about stuff so of course I think about this. And I have doubts about how right this is...
I did find the story very interesting. It is quite the adventure story with action, dangerous moments and it tells us what life was like in China in 1942. I did find the one scene near the end hard to believe, one involving some American soldiers. Most WW2 stories are set in Europe so it's good to see what was going on in China.
Still this was a bit more gloomy and a harder read than I had expected.
February 26, 2012
I decided to read this book because it fits into one of the categorys on the bingo board. This book fits into the category a book that teaches you about another culture other than your own. This category is interesting because you learn about other peoples life styles and how they live. My favourite quote from this quote is “Please believe that one single positive dream is more important than a thousand negative realities.” Something new i learned from this book is no matter how much you might dislike someone you'll miss then once their gone. A character i ound interesting was Aunty Baba because she loved all her neices by didn't always try to mke life better for them.
August 7, 2012
This fictional book presents another possible ending to the Chinese Cinderella story of Adeline Yen Mah's life. CC has a distant father, a "niang" (Chinese for mama, but really her father's live-in girlfriend), and an adoring aunt. After her niang tries to kill her, her father throws her out because she defends herself. Left on the street, CC luckily runs into some new friends, members of the Dragon Society, and she begins a new life with a purpose. The author weaves this story during World War II and the Japanese occupation of Shanghai on the eve of the Doolittle raid. A good story, but it is unlikely to find an audience with children unless it is boooktalked.
January 5, 2013
Inspired by the stories the budding writer Adeline Yen Mah used to write as a child, this book, ‘Chinese Cinderella And The Secret Dragon Society’ is a fantasy novel, for children, based off the stories she used to write as a child as well as the movie Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo.
This book is the second title I have read by Adeline Yen Mah and though it is not biographical, there are elements that I recognized from her autobiography, Chinese Cinderella....
Read the rest of the review here:
http://metalrizon.wordpress.com/2013/...
This book is the second title I have read by Adeline Yen Mah and though it is not biographical, there are elements that I recognized from her autobiography, Chinese Cinderella....
Read the rest of the review here:
http://metalrizon.wordpress.com/2013/...
April 12, 2011
This was an enjoyable book - that has some awesome words of wisdom from Grandma Wu. My favourite part is when Grandma Wu and CC are doing the tea ceremony and the whole cockroach thing is very wise in my opinion. It was clever the way Adeline Yen ma intertwined real history with fiction and I definitely learnt some new stuff about Chinese history and culture (I found the Chinese zodiac thing interesting). I have always been interested in Japan, but I guess China is close enough and I am fascinated with Asia. I would recommend this book to anyone really, it's a good read.
June 18, 2013
Although not a memoir, this novel by Adeline Yen Mah does incorporate the basic parts of her life such as being abused by her stepmother but in Chinese Cinderella and the Secret Dragon Society, she was able to run away. After running away she runs into Grandma Wu who takes her in and introduces her to the Chinese Resistance during the 1940s. There she gains a new family and learns martial arts and saves 5 injured Americans. But her favorite aunt is killed after an attack from the Japanese and suspects her stepmother.
March 31, 2014
I find that this is a lovely read. great for youngsters around the age 10 to 15.
what I like about this book is that it's full of patriotism. Teaching youngsters not to be racist and work together no matter the race and gender.
one down side that I feel no so right is the mention of Marat making pork dumpling. in this story , he is a muslim. it is universal knowledge that muslim doesn't take pork . it's a sentive subject here.
overall I like the story here. I wonder what will happen to CC after this.
what I like about this book is that it's full of patriotism. Teaching youngsters not to be racist and work together no matter the race and gender.
one down side that I feel no so right is the mention of Marat making pork dumpling. in this story , he is a muslim. it is universal knowledge that muslim doesn't take pork . it's a sentive subject here.
overall I like the story here. I wonder what will happen to CC after this.
September 11, 2016
After enduring abuse at the hands of her cruel stepmother, Chinese Cinderella seeks refuge at a martial-arts school and joins a secret dragon society. Under the guidance of Grandma Wu, she is introduced to the exciting world of espionage as a part of the Chinese Resistance movement. And when she and her comrades take on a daring mission to rescue a crew of WWII American airmen, they prove that true bravery knows no age barrier. Based on a real historical event during WWII.
March 17, 2013
This was suggested to my by my daughter. It was really an amazing story of courage and grit set in China just after the attacks on Pearl Harbor. There were a lot of take-aways from this story about compassion, unity, and strength in adversity. It's a real gem that I would never have experienced had it not been for my older child. Oh, did I also mention that it's a kung fu book with a female main character? Yeah. It is.
July 16, 2017
I love the idea of friendship based on fate yet misfortune.
I love the relationship CC has with her big Aunt and her 3 brothers, I love the character CC in total as she likes to read and is independent and stands for what she wants... just like me
I enjoyed reading her adventures with her new family and witnessing her accomplishments she achieved without Niang.
I am looking forward to reading 'Chinese Cinderella the secret story of an Unwanted Daughter'
I love the relationship CC has with her big Aunt and her 3 brothers, I love the character CC in total as she likes to read and is independent and stands for what she wants... just like me
I enjoyed reading her adventures with her new family and witnessing her accomplishments she achieved without Niang.
I am looking forward to reading 'Chinese Cinderella the secret story of an Unwanted Daughter'
January 13, 2008
I read this book 2 years ago and I only remember some parts of it. The one big thing I remember is that after finishing this book, I cried a lot! I'm serious. It was such a good book!
Even though the title of it sounds strange and not interesting, I highly recommend that you read this book!
Even though the title of it sounds strange and not interesting, I highly recommend that you read this book!
September 22, 2008
When Chinese Cinderella is thrown out of her home by her cruel stepmother onto the dangerous streets of Shangai, she takes refuge with Grandma Wu in her Martial Arts Academy.There she becomes part of a whole new family, making friends with three remarkable acrobats and learning kung fu.
March 9, 2017
A well written story but not one I will read again. I was unlike many others not surprised at the war's brutality, since my mom was a child in WW2 too. A good bit of knowledge about how the war was in Shanghai from a kid's point of view.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews