In this action-packed adventure and coming-of-age story that finely weaves fact and fiction, thirteen-year-old Ming lives in a small village in Maoist China in the 1970s. His father is convinced that Emperor Qin’s tomb—and the life-size terra-cotta army created to serve and protect the emperor in the afterlife—lies hidden in the hills around them. But if Ming’s father doesn’t prove it soon, the town’s Political Officer will condemn him to the brutal labor camps. From the stories of a terra-cotta soldier who has survived through the centuries, Ming learns the history of Emperor Qin, known for building the Great Wall of China, and how and why the terra-cotta soldiers came to be. As their unlikely friendship develops, Ming experiences the mysterious tomb firsthand, braving deadly traps and witnessing the terra-cotta army in action. Most importantly, he comes to see how he can save both the terra-cotta soldiers and his father from the corrupt Political Officer and his Communist cronies.
The book is illustrated with photographs of Communist Chinese village life in the 1970s, the Great Wall, and, of course, the excavated tomb with its many terra-cotta soldiers. It also features a special recipe from the story.
About the Author
Award-Winning Author and Inspirational Public Speaker, Ying is the versatile and prolific author of picture books, novels for young readers, and cookbooks. Named one of "50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading" by the Author's Show, Ying has 19 books to her name. Frequently sought after by the media, she has been featured on numerous national television programs, and is regularly profiled in prestigious news media, such as the New York Times, Washington Post, San Francisco Chronicle, and Huffington Post.
Ying frequently visits schools throughout the US and abroad, sharing with students her journey as a writer, how her life in China inspired her writing, and the challenges of writing in her second language. Her newest book, co-authored with her son, Secrets of a Terra-Cotta Soldier, is due out this fall. Her new cookbook, Cooking with an Asian Accent, is due out next spring.
Ying was born and raised in Wuhan, China. Her highly acclaimed novel about her life growing up in China during the Chinese Cultural Revolution, Revolution Is Not a Dinner Party, has received over 33 national awards. Her website is www.yingc.com.
This was a cute and great book for getting children interested in Chinese History. I really liked the magical touch surrounding the Emperor's Tomb. I do think that the characters needed a little more as this book was more plot driven. But all in all it was a great book that should be read.
"*I received a copy of this book for free to review, this in no way
influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own. OR I purchased the book on my own."
1 comments:
The Significance series by Shelly Crane. I love that series!!
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